opinion parliamentary committee, 16 April 2026
On the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing Horizon Europe, the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, for the period 2028-2034 laying down its rules for participation and dissemination, and repealing Regulation (EU) 2021/695
Document CULT-AD-782406 · (COM(2025)0543 – C100164/2025 – 2025/0543(COD))
Committee on Culture and Education · Rapporteur: Laurence Farreng
AI:In short
The Committee on Culture and Education proposes amendments to the proposed Horizon Europe regulation for 2028-2034, which sets rules for participation and dissemination and repeals Regulation (EU) 2021/695. The amendments add culture, education, skills and social sciences and humanities across the programme's objectives, recitals and articles. They require that at least 40% of the EUR 7 606 000 000 for the 'Society' component fund collaborative research on European cultures and cultural heritage, supporting cultural and creative industries. They also add rules on the European Research Area, the European Universities Alliances, the European Institute of Innovation and Technology, the European Innovation Council, international cooperation and simplified funding.
Position. The Committee on Culture and Education proposes amendments to the Horizon Europe 2028-2034 proposal, adding culture, education, skills and social sciences and humanities across the programme, requiring 40% of the Society component for cultural research, and setting rules on the European Research Area, innovation ecosystems and international cooperation.
Key points
- Recital 1 would state that research and innovation activities are based on scientific excellence, academic freedom and institutional autonomy, and aim at the well-being of peoples in an educated and skilled society.
- Recital 2 would add cultural, educational and intergenerational impact, and skills development, to the programme's aims.
- New recitals would recognise cultural and creative industries as drivers of competitiveness and technological sovereignty, and call for support to research and cross-border collaboration in the creative field.
- Recital 12 would describe the New European Bauhaus Facility as bridging science, technology, art and cultural heritage, and supporting smaller and medium-sized municipalities.
- Recital 14 would require predictable and adequate funding for the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions and support for European higher education capacity.
- New recitals would state that research should serve the public interest and address long-term societal challenges, and that European Universities Alliances contribute to the European Research Area and the European Higher Education Area.
- Article 3 would add democratic resilience and social cohesion to the programme's objectives and make social sciences and humanities a structural component.
- Article 4 would add cultural heritage and cultural and creative sectors, and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology and its knowledge and innovation communities, to the programme's activities.
- Article 5 would require culture and creativity and social sciences and humanities across all components, gender mainstreaming, and a non-for-profit scholarly communication ecosystem.
- Article 6 would require that a minimum share of 40% of the EUR 7 606 000 000 for 'Society' fund collaborative research and innovation sustaining European cultures and cultural heritage and supporting cultural and creative industries.
- Article 15 would make cultural institutions, independent cultural organisations and civil society actors eligible in collaborative research, and add culture, creativity and digital transformations to its areas.
- Article 18 would remove the reference to infrastructures from its title and delete the provision that the programme contributes up to 20% of the building costs of critical new world-class European research and technology infrastructures.
Who is affected
- Cultural and creative industries: recognised as strategic for competitiveness and eligible for research and innovation support.
- Cultural institutions, independent cultural organisations and civil society actors: eligible participants in collaborative research and innovation projects.
- Universities and higher education institutions: European Universities Alliances recognised and supported in research and innovation ecosystems.
- Researchers and doctoral candidates: support for careers, training, mobility and gender balance in evaluation panels.
- Smaller and local beneficiaries: reduced administrative burden and clear Commission guidance on funding.
Figures and deadlines
- EUR 7 606 000 000 for the 'Society' component of Pillar II, of which a minimum share of 40% for collaborative research on European cultures and cultural heritage.
- €7.6 billion allocated to the Society component in the current proposal.
- €3.4 billion, equivalent to 40% of the Society component, described as a significant yet balanced increase.
- €2.3 billion, the current budget of the 'Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society' cluster.
- At least 3% of GDP target for investment in research and development.
- Grants should not be awarded for actions where activities go above TRL 8.
- European Universities Alliances launched in 2019.
- Innovation Scoreboard Index (2023-2025) above 75% of the Union average for 'Transition countries'.
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Text 200 paragraphs
AMENDMENTS
The Committee on Culture and Education submits the following to the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, as the committee responsible:
Amendment 1
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (1) It is an objective of the Union to strengthen its scientific and technological bases by strengthening the European research area (ERA) in which researchers, scientific knowledge and technology circulate freely and encouraging it to become more competitive, including in its industry, while promoting all research and innovation (R&I) activities to deliver on the Union's strategic priorities and commitments, which ultimately aim to promote peace, the Union's values and the well-being of its peoples. | (1) It is an objective of the Union to strengthen its scientific and technological bases by strengthening the European research area (ERA) in which researchers, scientific knowledge and technology circulate freely and encouraging it to become more competitive, including in its industry, while promoting all research and innovation (R&I) activities based on scientific excellence, academic freedom and institutional autonomy, to deliver on the Union's strategic priorities and commitments, which ultimately aim to promote peace, the Union's values and the well-being of its peoples in an educated and skilled society. |
Amendment 2
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (2) To deliver scientific, technological, economic, environmental and societal impact and to maximise the added value of the Union's R&I investments, the Union should invest in research and innovation through Horizon Europe - the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation for the period 2028-2034 (the ‘Programme’), which should strengthen competitiveness, resilience, sustainability, technological leadership, and social cohesion. | (2) To deliver scientific, technological, economic, environmental, cultural, educational and societal impact for present and future generations and to maximise the added value of the Union's R&I investments, the Union should invest in research and innovation through Horizon Europe - the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation for the period 2028-2034 (the ‘Programme’), which should strengthen competitiveness, resilience, sustainability, skills development, technological leadership, and social cohesion. |
Amendment 3
Proposal for a regulation
Read the rest (188 paragraphs)
Recital 5
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (5) In a rapidly changing economic, social and geopolitical environment, recent experience has shown the need for a more flexible multiannual financial framework and its Union spending programmes. To that effect, and in line with the objectives of the Programme, the funding should duly consider the evolving policy needs and Union’s priorities as identified in relevant documents published by the Commission, European Parliament resolutions and in Council conclusions, while ensuring sufficient predictability for the budget implementation. | (5) In a rapidly changing economic, social and geopolitical environment, recent experience has shown the need for a more flexible multiannual financial framework and its Union spending programmes, including as a response to emerging research needs. To that effect, and in line with the objectives of the Programme, the funding should duly consider the evolving policy needs and Union’s priorities as identified in relevant documents published by the Commission, European Parliament resolutions and in Council conclusions, while ensuring sufficient predictability for the budget implementation, including for research addressing societal, cultural and educational dimensions, with appropriate safeguards. |
Amendment 4
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6 a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (6a) Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI), as an important component of the EU Single Market, have a clear strategic potential for the competitiveness of the Union, especially within the context of digital innovation. The cultural and creative industries and the related technological transformations, such as those related to artificial intelligence, virtual reality and Big Data-based technology, are important drivers of economic development and serve as tools for promoting the technological sovereignty and the soft power of the Union. |
Amendment 5
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6 b (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (6b) The CCI market is also fragmented along linguistic lines, hindering the circulation of cultural goods. These characteristics underpin the need to support Research and Innovation (R&I) in the creative field and cross-border collaboration, enabling the emergence of EU-wide CCI innovation ecosystems through concrete projects and partnerships. |
Amendment 6
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (8) As in Horizon Europe, the OECD definitions regarding technological readiness levels (TRLs) should continue to be taken into account in the classification of technological research, product development and demonstration activities, and in the definition of types of action available in calls for proposals. Grants should not be awarded for actions where activities go above TRL 8. It should be possible for the work programme to allow grants for large-scale product validation and market replication for a given call under the part ‘Competitiveness and Society’. | (8) As in Horizon Europe, the OECD definitions regarding technological readiness levels (TRLs) should continue to be taken into account in the classification of technological research, product development and demonstration activities, and in the definition of types of action available in calls for proposals, where relevant and taking into account the nature and objectives of the activities concerned. Grants should not be awarded for actions where activities go above TRL 8. It should be possible for the work programme to allow grants for large-scale product validation and market replication for a given call under the part ‘Competitiveness and Society’. |
Amendment 7
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (9) It should be possible to implement parts of the budget through European Partnerships together with other public and private entities, where this is the most effective implementation form to achieve the policy objectives. European Partnerships should be established where a close involvement of the Union is required and should ensure appropriate voting rights for the Union as well as sufficient co-investment by other partners to leverage Union funding. In view of fostering synergies and efficiencies, it is necessary to ensure harmonised rules. Therefore, a strategic and coherent portfolio of a limited number of European Partnerships should be established. | (9) It should be possible to implement parts of the budget through European Partnerships together with other public and private entities, where this is the most effective implementation form to achieve the policy objectives. European Partnerships should be established where a close involvement of the Union is required and should ensure appropriate voting rights for the Union as well as sufficient co-investment by other partners to leverage Union funding, while ensuring openness, transparency and balanced territorial participation. In view of fostering synergies and efficiencies, it is necessary to ensure harmonised rules. Therefore, a strategic and coherent portfolio of a limited number of European Partnerships should be established. |
Amendment 8
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (10) The European Partnerships, including in the form of Joint Undertakings, as an essential tool to deliver on industrial involvement and investment in collaborative research and innovation, should contribute to the specific policy objectives of the policy windows of the European Competitiveness Fund, and be supported through it, where necessary, to complete these objectives. | (10) The European Partnerships, including in the form of Joint Undertakings, as an essential tool to deliver on industrial involvement and investment in collaborative research and innovation, should contribute to the specific policy objectives of the policy windows of the European Competitiveness Fund, and be supported through it, where necessary, to complete these objectives, by addressing both industrial and human capital dimensions, including skills development and lifelong learning. |
Amendment 9
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (12) Anchored in the Horizon Europe Strategic Plan 2025-20275, the New European Bauhaus (NEB) Facility is a multi-annual funding tool designed to accelerate the transformation of neighbourhoods through sustainable and inclusive design. Its R&I component should be funded by Horizon Europe while its roll-out component should be delivered through other EU programmes and national funding. | (12) Anchored in the Horizon Europe Strategic Plan 2025-20275, the New European Bauhaus (NEB) Facility is a multi-annual funding tool designed to accelerate the transformation of neighbourhoods beyond the strictly technological solutions and functional methods through sustainable, creative, innovative and inclusive design, by bridging the worlds of science, technology, art and cultural heritage, and mainstreaming environmental sustainability throughout all policies of the Union. The interdisciplinary approach of the NEB contributes to intergenerational fairness, supports democratic and participatory processes at local level, and delivers particular added value for smaller and medium-sized municipalities, by supporting local capacity-building and generating evidence to support informed local decision-making. Its R&I component should be funded by Horizon Europe while its roll-out component should be delivered through other EU programmes and national funding. |
| 5 Commission Decision C(2024)1741 of 20.03.2024. | 5 Commission Decision C(2024)1741 of 20.03.2024. |
Amendment 10
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (13) The European Research Council (ERC) should provide attractive and flexible funding, thereby enabling talented and creative individual researchers—with a deliberate emphasis on nurturing early-stage researchers—to pursue the most promising avenues at the frontier of science. This commitment to investigator-driven research, selected through Union-wide competition based solely on the criterion of excellence and open to talent regardless of nationality or origin, is fundamental to attracting the world's brightest minds and further establishing Europe as a world-leading centre for research and innovation. | (13) The European Research Council (ERC) should provide attractive and flexible funding, thereby enabling talented and creative individual researchers—with a deliberate emphasis on nurturing early-stage researchers—to pursue the most promising avenues at the frontier of science. This commitment to investigator-driven research, selected through Union-wide competition based solely on the criterion of excellence, scientific quality and relevance, and open to talent regardless of nationality or origin, is fundamental to attracting the world's brightest minds and further establishing Europe as a world-leading centre for research and innovation. |
Amendment 11
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (14) In a knowledge-based global economy, the Union’s long-term competitiveness, technological leadership and capacity to address global challenges should depend notably on its ability to develop, attract and retain a highly skilled and internationally connected research workforce. Strategic investment in excellent researchers, in their training, mobility and career prospects, within and outside academia, is essential to sustain innovation, economic resilience and societal well-being. In line with the principles of the European Charter for researchers, the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) are instrumental in advancing this objective. The Programme should reinforce links between universities and innovation ecosystems, including the private sector. It should enable the completion of the European Research Area, including via development of European higher education sector capacity to compete with global counterparts through collaboration, nurturing and attracting talent and leveraging more private investments, including through higher education initiatives like European Universities Alliances, in synergy with Erasmus+, and in line with the objectives and activities of this Regulation. | (14) In a knowledge-based global economy, the Union’s long-term competitiveness, technological leadership and capacity to address global challenges should depend notably on its ability to develop, attract and retain a highly skilled and internationally connected research workforce, including cooperation with third countries that uphold academic freedom and democratic values. Strategic investment in excellent researchers and doctoral candidates, in their training, mobility and career prospects, within and outside academia, is essential to sustain knowledge, innovation, economic resilience and societal well-being. In line with the principles of the European Charter for researchers, the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) are instrumental in advancing this objective, including by strengthening the societal and cultural dimension of research careers. The Programme should ensure predictable and adequate funding for the MSCA. Furthermore, it should also reinforce links between universities and innovation ecosystems, including the private sector. It should enable the completion of the European Research Area, including via development of European higher education sector capacity as long-term public institutions safeguarding academic freedom and democratic values. To compete with global counterparts and ensure inclusive talent development, the Programme shall support collaboration, nurturing and attracting talent and leveraging more private investments, in particular through the European Universities Alliances, in structured synergy with Erasmus+ to build seamless pathways from education to research in line with the objectives and activities of this Regulation. |
Amendment 12
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14 a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (14a) The programme's research should address long-term societal challenges and primarily serve the public interest, prioritising fundamental research without being strictly bound to short-term industrial competitiveness, technological readiness or commercial potential, with interdisciplinary, non-linear, and practice-based innovation approaches of the industry in mind. |
Amendment 13
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14 b (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (14b) The fragmentation of the Union’s higher education and research sectors undermines the capacity of the Union to safeguard its sovereignty, promote its values and assert global influence. Greater integration could reinforce the strategic position of the Union. In that regard, the European Universities Alliances serve a multidimensional purpose, contributing both to the realisation of the European Research Area and the European Higher Education Area, and their proven success contributes to the competitiveness objectives of the Union. |
Amendment 14
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (15) The European Innovation Council (EIC) should stimulate deep tech market-creating innovation. It should identify, develop and deploy these deep tech innovations through its instruments. Through coherent and streamlined support, the EIC should fill the vacuum in public support and private investment for breakthrough technologies and deep tech innovation. The EIC should aim to bridge, integrate and accelerate through its instruments the innovator’s journey from research to market and enable the Union to have leading companies in emerging areas of technology to meet its social and economic objectives and avoid dependencies on other regions. The EIC should support high risk, high-potential innovations and companies presenting such technological, scientific, financial, management or market risks that they are not yet considered to be fully bankable and therefore cannot raise the necessary level of investments to be globally competitive from the market. This should incorporate both an ‘open’ (bottom-up) and a ‘challenge’ driven approach, in close coordination and synergy with the European Competitiveness Fund and its policy windows. It should include a ‘DARPA’-like approach dedicated to supporting defence and dual use startups and their scaling up operating in full complementarity with the ECF InvestEU Instrument and the EU Defence Innovation Scheme (EUDIS) and CASSINI (Space entrepreneurship initiative) activities. The implementation should be done in close synergy and coordination with the European Competitiveness Fund. | (15) The European Innovation Council (EIC) should stimulate deep tech market-creating innovation. It should identify, develop and deploy these deep tech innovations through its instruments. Through coherent and streamlined support, the EIC should fill the vacuum in public support and private investment for breakthrough technologies and deep tech innovation. The EIC should aim to bridge, integrate and accelerate through its instruments the innovator’s journey from research to market and enable the Union to have leading companies in emerging areas of technology to meet its social and economic objectives and avoid dependencies on other regions. The EIC should support high risk, high-potential innovations and companies, as well as universities and university-based incubators, presenting such technological, scientific, financial, management or market risks that they are not yet considered to be fully bankable and therefore cannot raise the necessary level of investments to be globally competitive from the market. This should incorporate both an ‘open’ (bottom-up) and a ‘challenge’ driven approach, in close coordination and synergy with the European Competitiveness Fund and its policy windows. It should include a ‘DARPA’-like approach dedicated to supporting defence and dual use startups and their scaling up operating in full complementarity with the ECF InvestEU Instrument and the EU Defence Innovation Scheme (EUDIS) and CASSINI (Space entrepreneurship initiative) activities. The implementation should be done in close synergy and coordination with the European Competitiveness Fund. |
Amendment 15
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18 a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (18a) The programme should integrate social sciences and humanities into research and innovation to ensure that scientific advancements address societal, human and ethical implications and, where possible, aim to serve humanity, specifically in the fields of artificial intelligence, biotechnology and medicine. |
Amendment 16
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 20
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (20) The Programme should implement concrete measures in support of capacity building in widening countries and strengthening collaborative links across the Union enhancing the research and innovation capacity in widening and transition countries, leading to a more cohesive and integrated European R&I system and contributing to the target to invest at least 3% of GDP in research and development. The eligible Member States from the 2021-2027 period should be divided into two groups for the whole duration of the Programme , on the basis of the Innovation Scoreboard Index and the relative financial return per Gross National Income (GNI), based on the following criteria: i) ‘Transition countries’, with both an Innovation Scoreboard Index (2023-2025) above 75% of the Union average and positive relative financial return per GNI (2021-2025) under Horizon Europe; ii) ‘Widening countries’, all other Member States eligible under the 2021-2027 period. | (20) The Programme should implement concrete measures in support of capacity building in widening countries and strengthening collaborative links across the Union enhancing the research and innovation capacity in widening and transition countries, building on existing initiatives such as the European Universities Alliances and their practices, leading to a more cohesive and integrated European R&I system and contributing to the target to invest at least 3% of GDP in research and development. The eligible Member States from the 2021-2027 period should be divided into two groups for the whole duration of the Programme , on the basis of the Innovation Scoreboard Index and the relative financial return per Gross National Income (GNI), based on the following criteria: i) ‘Transition countries’, with both an Innovation Scoreboard Index (2023-2025) above 75% of the Union average and positive relative financial return per GNI (2021-2025) under Horizon Europe; ii) ‘Widening countries’, all other Member States eligible under the 2021-2027 period. |
Amendment 17
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 20 a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (20a) The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), primarily through its knowledge and innovation communities (KICs), should aim at strengthening innovation ecosystems that tackle global challenges, by fostering the integration of business, research, higher education and entrepreneurship. The EIT should foster innovation in its activities and should support the integration of higher education within the innovation ecosystem, in particular by stimulating entrepreneurial education, fostering strong collaborations between industry and academia, and identifying prospective skills for future innovators to address global challenges, which include advanced digital and innovation skills. Support schemes provided by the EIT should benefit the EIC beneficiaries, while start-ups emerging from EIT KICs should have access to EIC actions. |
Amendment 18
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 21
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (21) Acknowledging the benefit derived from international cooperation towards addressing, among others, shared technological, economic, environmental and societal concerns, the Programme, should promote cooperation with third countries. International cooperation should aim to strengthen the Union’s competitiveness and excellence in R&I, including its capacity to attract and retain the best talents worldwide. Geo-political considerations including economic security should be at the centre of the approach and varying degrees of cooperation should be considered based on an overall assessment of the benefit that could be derived by the Union towards addressing its priorities and global challenges while safeguarding the Union’s values and interests. Association to all or parts of the Programme should remain the most comprehensive form of cooperation. For EIC defence related activities, only entities established in third countries associated with the European Competitiveness Fund for defence activities should be eligible for funding. The Programme may support activities financed by the Global Europe programme provided they comply with the rules and objectives of this Regulation in line with the provisions on synergies. | (21) Acknowledging the benefit derived from international cooperation towards addressing, among others, shared technological, economic, environmental and societal concerns, the Programme, should promote cooperation with third countries. International cooperation should aim to strengthen the Union’s competitiveness and excellence in R&I, including its capacity to attract and retain the best talents worldwide. Geo-political considerations, including economic security and resilience of open and pluralistic societies, should be at the centre of the approach and varying degrees of cooperation should be considered based on an overall assessment of the benefit that could be derived by the Union towards addressing its priorities and global challenges while safeguarding the Union’s values and interests. Association to all or parts of the Programme should remain the most comprehensive form of cooperation. For EIC defence related activities, only entities established in third countries associated with the European Competitiveness Fund for defence activities should be eligible for funding. The Programme may support activities financed by the Global Europe programme provided they comply with the rules and objectives of this Regulation in line with the provisions on synergies. |
Amendment 19
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 25 a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (25a) Research and innovation activities under the Programme should therefore support the protection and adaptation of cultural heritage, including through interdisciplinary approaches combining scientific research, social sciences and humanities, traditional knowledge and local expertise, while taking into account social and territorial dimensions. |
Amendment 20
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 26
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (26) Simplification in the Programme’s implementation is essential to ensure its accessibility and efficiency, particularly by reducing the administrative burden on beneficiaries and minimising the risk of errors. To this end, the Programme should primarily rely on lump sums as the default form of Union funding. Advancing efforts over the previous Framework Programmes to streamline funding rules and minimise errors, the reimbursement of personnel costs should also be further simplified by using personnel unit costs, which reduces complexity for participants and facilitates reporting. | (26) Simplification in the Programme’s implementation is essential to ensure its accessibility and efficiency, particularly by reducing the administrative burden on beneficiaries and minimising the risk of errors, including for smaller and local beneficiaries. To this end, the Programme should primarily rely on lump sums as the default form of Union funding. Advancing efforts over the previous Framework Programmes to streamline funding rules and minimise errors, the reimbursement of personnel costs should also be further simplified by using personnel unit costs, which reduces complexity for participants and facilitates reporting. |
Amendment 21
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 24
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (24) ‘knowledge triangle’ means the creation of networks between education institutions, research organisations and business with the aim to create innovation ecosystems that cater for the creation of an innovation pipeline from the inception of innovation through entrepreneurial education to the creation of startups and the growth of scale-ups. | (24) ‘knowledge triangle’ means the integration of, and interaction between, education, research, and innovation through education institutions, research organisations and business with the aim to create innovation ecosystems that cater for the creation of an innovation pipeline from the inception of innovation through entrepreneurial education to the creation of startups and the growth of scale-ups. |
Amendment 22
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 24 a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (24a) 'European Universities Alliances' means the Commission’s flagship initiative launched in 2019 with the objective of supporting long-term, systemic, sustainable and mission-driven cooperation between higher education institutions across Europe and beyond that develop shared governance, interoperable structures, and integrated strategies across education, research, innovation and societal engagement, and form pan-European inter-university campuses that enable seamless and inclusive mobility, joint learning pathways and curricula, joint research and innovation ecosystems, and talent circulation across Europe. |
Amendment 23
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 1. In line with the general and specific objectives of the European Competitiveness Fund, the Programme shall strengthen the EU’s competitiveness, scientific technological base, and address global challenges based on excellent research and innovation. | 1. In line with the general and specific objectives of the European Competitiveness Fund, the Programme shall strengthen the EU's scientific and technological base, democratic resilience, social cohesion and competitiveness, and address global challenges based on excellent research and innovation, integrating social sciences and humanities as a structural component. |
Amendment 24
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – indent 1
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| – Create high-quality knowledge, skills and attractive careers for researchers and support the realisation of the European Research Area (ERA). | – Create high-quality knowledge, skills and attractive careers for researchers and doctoral candidates. |
Amendment 25
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – indent 3
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| – Align EU, national and regional priorities to create a pan-European research and innovation ecosystem. | – Align EU, national and regional priorities to create a pan-European research and innovation ecosystem and foster multi- level cooperation with regional and local actors. |
Amendment 26
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point b – point ii
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| ii) ‘Society’, including research and innovation activities, such as: | ii) ‘Society’, including research and innovation activities, such as: |
| (1) global societal challenges; | (1) global societal challenges; including intergenerational and youth-specific dimensions; |
| (1a) cultural heritage, cultural and creative sectors; | |
| (2) EU Missions; | (2) EU Missions; |
| (3) the New European Bauhaus Facility; | (3) the New European Bauhaus Facility; |
Amendment 27
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point c – point ii
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (ii) Innovation ecosystems including activities to foster the integration of the knowledge triangle – higher education, research and innovation, and business – across the Union. | (ii) the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) and its existing knowledge and innovation communities, as well as other innovation ecosystems including activities to foster the integration of the knowledge triangle – higher education, research and innovation, and business – across the Union. |
Amendment 28
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point d – point ii
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (ii) research and technology infrastructures; | (ii) research and technology equipment and infrastructure upgrades; |
Amendment 29
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point a
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (a) ensure a multidisciplinary approach, where appropriate, and provide for the integration of social sciences and humanities (SSH) across all components under the Programme, including specific calls for proposals on SSH related topics. | (a) ensure a multidisciplinary approach, where appropriate, and provide for the integration of culture and creativity and social sciences and humanities (SSH) across all components under the Programme, including specific calls for proposals on SSH related topics. |
Amendment 30
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point b
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (b) advance scientific knowledge and contribute to the creation of informed, effective, and responsive public policies across the Union and beyond. The Programme shall actively promote the use of the results of publicly funded research and of scientific evidence in policy-making processes at all levels, fostering stronger links between research, innovation, and the development of evidence-informed public policies. This shall include encouraging collaborative mechanisms, R&I initiatives and science-for-policy interfaces connecting policy makers with the scientific community, as well as facilitating the use of research outcomes in shaping future legislative and regulatory frameworks at all levels. Special emphasis shall be placed on ensuring that scientific insights are accessible and relevant to decision makers and citizens, with instruments for the effective use of research results, policy briefs, and recommendations. | (b) advance scientific knowledge and contribute to the creation of informed, effective, and responsive public policies, including in the fields of education and culture, across the Union and beyond. The Programme shall actively promote the use of the results of publicly funded research and of scientific evidence in policy-making processes at all levels, fostering stronger links between research, innovation, and the development of evidence-informed public policies. This shall include encouraging collaborative mechanisms, R&I initiatives and science-for-policy interfaces connecting policy makers with the scientific community, as well as facilitating the use of research outcomes in shaping future legislative and regulatory frameworks at all levels. Special emphasis shall be placed on ensuring that scientific insights are accessible and relevant to decision makers and citizens, with instruments for the effective use of research results, policy briefs, and recommendations. |
Amendment 31
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (ca) ensure the effective promotion of equal opportunities for all and the implementation of gender mainstreaming, including the integration of the gender dimension in R&I content. It shall aim to address the causes of gender imbalance. Particular attention shall be paid to ensuring gender balance in evaluation panels and in other relevant advisory bodies such as boards and expert groups. |
Amendment 32
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point c b (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (cb) foster a non-for-profit, transparent and sustainable scholarly communication ecosystem, including public-owned or scholar community-governed publishing infrastructures, enabling high-quality, trustworthy and equitable dissemination of scientific knowledge. It shall ensure that European research is not dependent on foreign-controlled infrastructures and enable the EU to retain sovereign control over its intellectual assets and data. |
Amendment 33
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – point b – point ii
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| ii. EUR 7 606 000 000 for ‘Society. | ii. EUR 7 606 000 000 for ‘Society; a minimum share of 40 % shall be dedicated to collaborative research and innovation activities that sustain European cultures and cultural heritage, taking into account their essential contribution to EU identity, democracy and resilience, fostering and supporting CCIs. |
Justification
In the current proposal, €7.6 billion has been allocated to the Society component of Pillar II. Forty percent of this amount, equivalent to €3.4 billion, would represent a significant yet balanced increase. For comparison, the ‘Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society’ cluster currently operates with a budget of €2.3 billion. Earmarking 40% would therefore provide a meaningful boost while remaining proportionate.
Amendment 34
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 4 – point b
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (b) commitment to a rules-based open market economy, including fair and equitable dealing with intellectual property rights, respect of human rights, backed by democratic institutions; | (b) commitment to a rules-based open market economy, including fair and equitable dealing with intellectual property rights, respect of human rights, respect of academic freedom and liberty of scientific research, backed by democratic institutions; |
Amendment 35
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 4 – point c
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (c) active promotion of policies to improve the economic and social well-being of citizens. | (c) active promotion of policies and principles equivalent to those enshrined in the European Charter for researchers to improve the economic and social well-being of citizens. |
Amendment 36
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 5
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 5. The scope of association of each third country to the Programme shall take into account an analysis of the risks, notably those likely to affect the Union’s public order and security in relevant policy areas, including economic and research security, as well as benefits and the broader objective of driving economic growth and competitiveness of the Union through innovation. Accordingly, with the exception of EEA members, acceding countries, candidate countries and potential candidate countries, third countries may be excluded from parts of the Programme in accordance with this Regulation or the association agreement itself. | 5. The scope of association of each third country to the Programme shall take into account an analysis of the risks, notably those likely to affect the Union’s public order and security in relevant policy areas, including economic and research security, academic freedom and institutional autonomy, as well as benefits and the broader objective of driving economic growth and competitiveness of the Union through innovation. Accordingly, with the exception of EEA members, acceding countries, candidate countries and potential candidate countries, third countries may be excluded from parts of the Programme in accordance with this Regulation or the association agreement itself. |
Amendment 37
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 2
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 2. Union funding may be provided in any form in accordance with Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509, in particular through grants, prizes, procurement, non-financial donations, and financial instruments. | 2. Union funding may be provided in any form in accordance with Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509, in particular through grants, prizes, procurement, non-financial donations, and financial instruments. The Commission shall ensure clear guidance in particular for smaller beneficiaries and newcomers. |
Amendment 38
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 4
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 4. Where Union funding is provided in the form of a grant, funding shall be provided as financing not linked to cost, or as simplified cost options in particular through lump sums as well as unit costs for personnel, in accordance with Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509. Funding may be provided in the form of actual eligible cost reimbursement only where the objectives of an action cannot be achieved otherwise. Where it is necessary to enable other sources of funding including co-investments with national resources subject to State aid rules, funding shall be provided in the form of actual eligible cost reimbursement or simplified cost options. | 4. Where Union funding is provided in the form of a grant, funding shall be provided as financing not linked to cost, or as simplified cost options in particular through lump sums as well as unit costs for personnel, in accordance with Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509. Funding may be provided in the form of actual eligible cost reimbursement only where the objectives of an action cannot be achieved otherwise, and taking into account the nature and potential evolution of the activities concerned. Where it is necessary to enable other sources of funding including co-investments with national resources subject to State aid rules, funding shall be provided in the form of actual eligible cost reimbursement or simplified cost options. |
Amendment 39
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 1
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 1. The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions shall support the career at all stages, skills development, and mobility of researchers from all over the world subject to security considerations. MSCA shall foster research excellence, attract and retain excellent research talents, and support sustainable research careers in the Union with the aim to increase the Union’s competitiveness in research and innovation. | 1. The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions shall support the career at all stages, skills development, training, and mobility of researchers from all over the world subject to security considerations. MSCA shall foster research excellence, attract and retain excellent research talents, and support sustainable research careers in the Union with the aim to increase the Union’s competitiveness in research and innovation, contribute to boosting jobs, growth and investment, and solving current and future societal challenges. |
Amendment 40
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 2
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 2. The MSCA shall fund excellent doctoral networks, post-doctoral fellowships, R&I staff exchanges, as well as support mechanisms to foster sustainable careers in view of attracting and retaining the most promising talents. A strong focus shall be put on international, inter-sectoral and inter-disciplinary cooperation as well as science outreach. The funding shall support cutting edge research and focus on developing research talent, with targeted support for early career researchers. It shall support to establish the Union as a leading destination for researchers. | 2. The MSCA shall fund excellent doctoral networks, post-doctoral fellowships, R&I staff exchanges, as well as support mechanisms to foster sustainable careers in view of attracting and retaining the most promising talents. A strong focus shall be put on international, inter-sectoral and inter-disciplinary cooperation as well as science outreach, including public and educational outreach activities. The funding shall support cutting edge research and focus on developing research talent, with targeted support for early career researchers. It shall support to establish the Union as a leading destination for researchers. |
Amendment 41
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 1
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 1. Collaborative research shall support the creation of transnational research and innovation cooperation networks, bringing together entities of different disciplines, to support the development and swift diffusion of high-quality results in favour of the Union’s industrial competitiveness, space, security, clean transition, preparedness and resilience, and addressing societal challenges, including culture and creativity, and to strengthen the impact of research in developing and supporting Union policies. | 1. Collaborative research shall support the creation of transnational research and innovation cooperation networks, bringing together entities of different disciplines, to support the development and swift diffusion of high-quality results in favour of the Union’s industrial competitiveness, space, security, clean transition, culture and creativity, digital transformations, preparedness and resilience. Cultural institutions, independent cultural organisations and civil society actors shall be eligible participants in collaborative research and innovation projects addressing societal challenges and education, including culture and creativity, in order to strengthen the impact of research in developing and supporting Union policies. |
Amendment 42
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 2
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 2. Activities shall be carried out in a balanced manner between lower and higher Technology Readiness Levels, thereby covering the whole value chain. | 2. Activities shall be carried out in a balanced manner between lower and higher Technology Readiness Levels, thereby covering the whole value chain, where applicable according to the nature of the activities concerned. |
Amendment 43
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 4
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 4. The Programme shall support activities to tackle global societal challenges in the areas of strengthening democratic values and tackling disinformation, including rule of law and fundamental rights; promoting socio-economic transformations that contribute to inclusion and growth, addressing demographic and intergenerational challenges, including from a youth perspective and including migration management and integration of migrants. | 4. The Programme shall support activities to tackle global societal challenges in the areas of strengthening democratic values and tackling disinformation, through education, media literacy and the development of critical skills including rule of law and fundamental rights; promoting socio-economic transformations that contribute to inclusion and growth, addressing demographic and intergenerational challenges, including from a youth perspective sustaining European cultures and cultural heritage and strengthening cultural and creative industries, and including migration management and integration of migrants. |
Amendment 44
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 1
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 1. The EIC shall identify, develop and scale up deep tech and disruptive innovation from research to scale-up. It shall be implemented mainly through open bottom-up calls for proposals while ensuring a balanced portfolio of actions across thematic areas. This shall be complemented by targeted thematic and ‘Challenge’ calls in areas of potential strategic interest in close coordination and synergy with the ECF policy windows, in particular with the ECF InvestEU Instrument. | 1. The EIC shall identify, develop and scale up deep tech and disruptive innovation from research to scale-up, covering the full R&I continuum. It shall be open to all types of innovators, including universities, research organisations and multidisciplinary consortia. It shall be implemented mainly through open bottom-up calls for proposals while ensuring a balanced portfolio of actions across thematic areas. This shall be complemented by targeted thematic and ‘Challenge’ calls in areas of potential strategic interest in close coordination and synergy with the ECF policy windows, in particular with the ECF InvestEU Instrument. |
Amendment 45
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 1
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 1. The Programme shall support organisations to create competitive, robust and connected innovation ecosystems and framework conditions. Synergies with Union, national and regional programmes shall be pursued to this end. | 1. The Programme shall support entities such as the EIT and its existing knowledge and innovation communities to create competitive, robust and connected innovation ecosystems and framework conditions. Synergies with Union, national and regional programmes such as Erasmus+ shall be pursued to this end. |
Amendment 46
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – title
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| European Research Area and infrastructures | European Research Area |
Amendment 47
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 1
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 1. The objective of the European Research Area (‘ERA’) is to create a single, borderless market for research, innovation and technology across the Union, in which researchers, scientific knowledge and technology circulate freely. | 1. The objective of the European Research Area (‘ERA’) is to create a single, borderless market for research, innovation and technology across the Union, key drivers of a knowledge-based society in which researchers, scientific knowledge and technology circulate freely. |
Amendment 48
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 2
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| 2. The Programme shall ensure the effective promotion and protection of values and principles of the ERA and the Pact for research and innovation, notably ethics and integrity in research and innovation, freedom of scientific research and gender equality and equal opportunities, and the promotion of attractive research careers and mobility. The funding of the Research and Technology Infrastructures shall contribute to equip the Union with a strong and coherent ecosystem of world-class sustainable facilities and services, building on prioritised pan-European infrastructures and complementary state-of-the-art national capacities and using funding instruments, including European partnerships. The Programme shall contribute up to 20% of the building costs of critical new world-class capacities of European research and technology infrastructures. | 2. The Programme shall ensure the effective promotion and protection of values and principles of the ERA and the Pact for research and innovation, notably ethics and integrity in research and innovation, freedom of scientific research and equal opportunities, and the promotion of attractive research careers and mobility. The funding of the Research and Technology Infrastructures shall contribute to equip the Union with a strong and coherent ecosystem of world-class sustainable facilities and services, building on prioritised pan-European infrastructures and complementary state-of-the-art national capacities and using funding instruments, including European partnerships. |
Amendment 49
Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point b
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|---|---|
| (b) impact; | (b) economic and societal impact; |
Annex: declaration of input 1 paragraph
The rapporteur for opinion declares under her exclusive responsibility that she did not include in her opinion input from interest representatives falling within the scope of the Interinstitutional Agreement on a mandatory transparency register, or from representatives of public authorities of third countries, including their diplomatic missions and embassies, to be listed in this Annex pursuant to Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure.
Procedure pages
How the committees handled the text, and how their members voted on it.
Procedure – committee asked for opinion 1 paragraph
| Title | Establishing Horizon Europe, the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, for the period 2028-2034 laying down its rules for participation and dissemination, and repealing Regulation (EU) 2021/695 | |
| References | COM(2025)0543 – C10-0164/2025 – 2025/0543(COD) | |
| Committee(s) responsible Date announced in plenary | ITRE 23.10.2025 | |
| Opinion by Date announced in plenary | CULT 23.10.2025 | |
| Rapporteur for opinion Date appointed | Laurence Farreng 19.11.2025 | |
| Discussed in committee | 27.1.2026 | |
| Date adopted | 18.3.2026 | |
| Result of final vote | +: –: 0: | 25 3 1 |
Final vote by roll call by the committee asked for opinion 3 paragraphs
25 · For
- ECR
- Stephen Nikola Bartulica, Chiara Gemma, Ivaylo Valchev
- No group
- Nikolaos Anadiotis
- EPP
- David Casa, Sunčana Glavak, Liudas Mažylis, Eleonora Meleti, Francisco José Millán Mon, Giusi Princi, Hélder Sousa Silva, Bogdan Andrzej Zdrojewski
- Renew
- Nikola Minchev, Hristo Petrov, Eugen Tomac
- S&D
- Isilda Gomes, Hannes Heide, Matjaž Nemec, Sabrina Repp, Marcos Ros Sempere, Joanna Scheuring-Wielgus
- The Left
- Mario Furore, Carolina Morace
- Greens
- Diana Riba i Giner, Nela Riehl
3 · Against
- Patriots
- Catherine Griset, Antonín Staněk, Pál Szekeres
1 · Abstained
- ESN
- Zsuzsanna Borvendég