Following the presentation of the high-level expert group’s report on the interim evaluation of Horizon Europe and its recommendations for the next Framework Programme, The Guild of European Research-intensive Universities has published a statement commenting on the report and its recommendations.
The Guild fully agrees that the framework programme needs to preserve its integrity and necessary distinct features and have an increased ringfenced budget of at least 220 billion euro. The association stresses that it must prioritise effect and impact, thus terminating any instruments with low effectiveness, and increasing investments in successful instruments such as the European Research Council (ERC), the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) and the European Innovation Council (EIC).
The Guild also welcomes the expert group’s proposal to engage with R&I experts across sectors to advise the Commission and translate the strategic policy agenda into relevant research priorities to enhance Europe’s industrial competitiveness and its response to societal challenges. It also supports the report’s approach to strengthen impactful Widening instruments and the report’s call to navigate the risks of collaboration alongside the risks of non-collaboration as Europe is developing new approaches for responsible internationalisation.