The University of Helsinki welcomes the European Commission's proposal to significantly increase investment in research, innovation and education in the EU's next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028-2034.
On 16 July, the European Commission published its proposal for the next EU budget framework. The proposal includes a near doubling of funding for Horizon Europe, the EU's research and innovation programme, raising its budget to €175 billion. The Erasmus+ programme, which supports student mobility and international cooperation in education, would also see a 50% increase in funding.
"The Commission's proposal demonstrates a strong political will to invest in science, skills and knowledge- the very foundations of Europe's future competitiveness," says Jouni Hirvonen, Vice-Rector of the University of Helsinki.
Allocation of future funding is crucial
The proposed MFF would be significantly larger than the current one. However, not all Member States support the increase, and some have already expressed opposition. More importantly, the way the funding is allocated matters more than the budget's total size.
"EU investments must focus on activities with proven economic and societal impact. Research and innovation are clear examples of this. According to the final evaluation of the previous framework programme for research and innovation, each euro invested is expected to yield five euros in return by 2040 and boost the EU's GDP by nearly €16 billion annually," says Hirvonen.
The proposal to nearly double Horizon Europe's funding is a critical step forward.
"It addresses the chronic underfunding that has hindered the programme for years. Currently, only around 30% of high-quality proposals receive funding, meaning a substantial portion of Europe's research and innovation potential remains untapped."
Scientific excellence must be protected
While the proposed increase in EU research and innovation funding is highly welcome, the division of responsibilities between Horizon Europe and the new European Competitiveness Fund (ECF) still requires clarification in upcoming legislative proposals.
The University of Helsinki stresses that Horizon Europe must remain scientifically autonomous. The political steering of the ECF must not influence the objectives or direction of the programme.
"The framework programme must be grounded in scientific excellence and researcher-driven priorities. Science cannot be steered from the top down for political reasons," Hirvonen underlines.
Maintaining the integrity and independence of Horizon Europe was a key priority for the University of Helsinki and the wider research community.
"We worked hard to ensure this outcome, and it is gratifying that the Commission listened to our concerns and the voice of the scientific community."
The current objectives of the framework programme do not refer to scientific excellence - a critical omission that must be corrected in the legislation. Without a firm commitment to scientific quality and autonomy, the EU risks losing its status as a global leader in research and innovation.
Finland must secure investments in research and innovation in EU negotiations
The final size of the MFF and the allocations for Horizon Europe and Erasmus+ are still subject to change, as they require approval by the Member States and the European Parliament after extensive negotiations. The aim is to reach an agreement by the end of 2027.
Finland has identified research and innovation as top priorities for its EU engagement. It is now essential to ensure that concrete outcomes align with this political priority, and that the Commission's proposed investments in knowledge and science are fully realised.
"Finland must firmly and consistently defend the proposed funding level throughout the negotiations. In the previous MFF cycle, the Horizon Europe budget was cut by around 25% from the Commission's original proposal. That mistake must not be repeated," Vice-Rector Hirvonen emphasises.
