European Technology Platform Photonics21 is urging the European Commission to launch a standalone programme dedicated to photonics, with a ringfenced budget of at least €2 billion under the EU’s next long-term budget. 

This budget would in turn leverage between €6 and €8 billion in industrial co-investment in photonics research and innovation in Europe.  

https://www.photonics21.org/2025/photonics21-position-paper-invest-in-light-or-be-left-in-the-dark-photonics-industry-warns