CESAER and partners presses for a strong, coherent FP10 together with MEP René Repasi

On 29 January 2026, CESAER Secretary General Mattias Björnmalm and Senior Advisor for Innovation & Sustainability Louise Drogoul met with René Repasi, Member of the European Parliament (MEP), at the European Parliament in Brussels to discuss how Europe should shape its future funding landscape for research, innovation and competitiveness.

The meeting took place in a joint format with partner organisations the Coimbra Group, EUA, EU-LIFE, LERU, The Guild, and YERUN, following the publication of joint amendments on 1 December, which can be accessed here.

The discussion built on these joint amendments to the FP10 legal texts, developed by CESAER in close cooperation with partner organisations, and examined their implications for the structuring of the next European framework programme for research and innovation (FP10), as well as its relationship with the European Competitiveness Fund and the European Defence Fund.

A second key input to the exchange was CESAER’s position on strengthening dual-use technologies through enhanced EU defence funding. This position underlines the distinct but complementary roles of civilian research funding and dedicated defence-related instruments, notably the European Defence Fund. That position paper can be accessed here.

Shared priorities and alignment

During the meeting, the participants explored several areas of shared interest, including:

• how research and innovation in dual-use technologies, including aspects related to defence R&I, can be supported coherently across the European Competitiveness Fund, the European Defence Fund and FP10;
• the importance of a strong, self-standing Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme;
• the need for a more autonomous and reinforced European Research Council (ERC) and European Innovation Council (EIC);
• expert-led governance as a central principle across FP10, including the proposed dedicated Pillar II Board; and
• securing a strong and well-protected overall budget for research and innovation.

The meeting reaffirmed the value of constructive engagement between universities, expert stakeholders and leading policymakers in shaping Europe’s long-term research, innovation and competitiveness funding frameworks.

CESAER and partner organisations will continue to engage with Members of the European Parliament, the European Commission and other co-legislators to contribute expertise and proposals aimed at ensuring that Europe’s funding framework for research and innovation in science and technology remains competitive, coherent and future-proof for the years ahead.

For more information, please contact the Secretariat.

Photo is from the joint meeting in the European Parliament on 29 January. Mattias Björnmalm is third from the left, René Repasi fourth from the left, and Louise Drogoul third from the right.