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The EU’s next long-term budget must support ambitious and independent programmes for education, research and innovation

06 May 2025

The European University Association is advocating for education, innovation and research to be high priorities within the next generation of EU funding programmes.

EUA has done so in a series of inputs to public consultations on the next multiannual financial framework (MFF) and its ability to respond to current challenges.

The set of public consultations on different policy areas was launched by the European Commission in February 2025, providing the opportunity for stakeholders to share their views on the EU’s long-term budget and shape the orientations of the next generation of EU programmes post-2027. EUA responded to the consultations related to EU funding for competitiveness, cross-border education and training, the single market and cooperation between national authorities, as well as the consultation on the performance of the EU budget.

In its inputs, EUA focused on cross-cutting issues for higher education, research and innovation. For example, the Association stressed the importance of further investment in R&I, education and skills as an essential contribution to the EU’s long-term competitiveness, as well as its green and social resilience and sustainability. The design of the next MFF must give priority to the establishment of a fifth freedom, allowing the free movement of research, innovation and education to genuinely lay the foundations for a strengthened single market. Moreover, to effectively support European R&I, the EU budget should strive to strike a balance between flexibility to rapidly adapt to new needs, and stability to ensure predictability and long-term continuity. 

EUA also addressed the simplification of rules of participation and synergies between the EU’s funding instruments. Only through a holistic approach that involves stakeholders, including universities, can the EU budget better deliver on its priorities, therefore paving the way for a vibrant ecosystem for education, research and innovation.

Reflecting on these key points for European universities, EUA Secretary General Amanda Crowfoot noted that: “At this critical moment, with a shifting EU narrative towards enhanced competitiveness, the next MFF proposal will be crucial in defining funding priorities. The next generation of EU programmes, such as Erasmus+ and the framework programme for research and innovation, must provide the right incentives to foster international cooperation and inclusivity, as well as adequate investments.”

“By strengthening higher education and research mobility, capacity building and collaboration, Erasmus+ and the R&I framework programme play a pivotal role in boosting Europe’s competitiveness and prosperity. Therefore, these two flagship European initiatives must continue to exist as stand-alone programmes, with their own identity and community” she added.

As the next MFF takes shape, EUA remains committed to safeguarding independent programmes with stable funding that maximise universities’ contribution to ensuring a sustainable, inclusive, secure and equitable Europe.

As a next step, the European Commission will submit its proposals for the post-2027 multiannual financial framework, which are expected to be released before 1 July. Following this, the Commission will publish proposals outlining the architecture of future EU policy programmes, including the successors to Horizon Europe and Erasmus+.

TAGS
EU Funding
R&I Policy
Horizon Europe
Academic Cooperation
Simplification
FP10
Erasmus+
EU R&I programmes
Competitiveness

Useful links

Public consultation on the EU’s next long-term budget (MFF)      
A research, education and innovation partnership for Europe’s competitiveness      
Skills and education for Europe’s competitiveness      
Paving the way for impactful European R&I – EUA’s vision for FP10      
EUA’s work on EU R&I programmes      
Building on the success of Erasmus+      
EUA’s work on Erasmus+      
EUA’s work on funding      

Downloads

EUA input to MFF consultation_EU funding for competitiveness      
EUA input to MFF consultation_EU funding for cross-border education      
EUA input to MFF consultation_EU funding for the single market      
EUA input to MFF consultation_performance of the EU budget      

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