EU launches new scientific programme

Alex Shuper, Unsplash

On 16 July 2025, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen presented the draft of the EU's Tenth Framework Programme for Science and Innovation (FP10), which will replace the current Horizon Europe. The programme will run from 2028-2034 and its requested budget is €175 billion, almost double that of its predecessor (€95.5 billion).

FP10 will retain the Horizon Europe brand but will be integrated into the new European Competitiveness Fund (ECF), a €409bn superstructure that will bring together several EU financial instruments. The main objective is not only to fund research, but also to turn it into a real economic and industrial powerhouse for Europe.

The FP10 extends the familiar structure: instead of three directions, there are now four.

Pylon I - Excellent Science (Excellent Science)

Support for basic research, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions and the European Research Council (ERC). Funding will increase from €25bn to €44bn. The new Choose Europe initiative aims to attract global scientific stars to European universities and laboratories.

Pylon II - Competitiveness & Society (Competitiveness & Society)

This will include major joint research and initiatives in four strategic areas: green transition and decarbonisation; health, biotechnology and the agricultural sector; digital leadership; defence, security and space. The total budget is €75.9 billion. Flagship projects such as EU Missions and New European Bauhaus will also continue.

Pylon III - Innovation

Funding will almost triple to €38.8bn. Two key instruments will remain: European Innovation Council (EIC) and Innovation Ecosystems

Pylon IV - European Research Area (ERA)

The new element, which has not previously been allocated separately, will receive €16.2bn instead of the previous €3.4bn. Here, special attention is paid to countries with low levels of R&D activity (Widening Participation) as well as strategic infrastructures.

FP10 promises to make it much easier to participate in the programme:

less bureaucracy,
shorter timeframe between application and grant award (up to 7 months),
standardised lump sum funding model,
100% cost coverage for small and medium-sized enterprises (previously 70%).

One of the key innovations is the launch of moonshot initiatives. These are large-scale projects connecting science, industry and the market to strengthen the EU's technological sovereignty. Funding for these projects will be consolidated: private foundations, national budgets and ECF investment instruments will join FP10.

Final agreement on FP10 is expected by the end of 2027. The programme promises to be not only the largest in the history of European science, but also a crucial tool for restoring the EU's technological leadership in the global race.

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