EUA calls for protecting investment in R&I and education in next MFF

On 10 October 2026, the Irish Council Presidency presented its revised proposal outlining Member States’ position on the EU's next long-term budget (2028-2034), including for the next Horizon Europe and Erasmus+ programmes. The new ‘negotiating box’ proposes to cut €159 billion (in current prices) from the next EU Research Framework Programme to the European Commission's proposal, or a further €122 billion in cuts compared to the figures presented in June by the previous Cypriot Presidency.

EUA complains that this proposal continues a trend of austerity in the MFF negotiations, with traditional spending priorities, notably cohesion and agriculture, largely shielded from further cuts, while research, innovation and competitiveness bear a disproportionate share of the additional reductions. Horizon Europe is particularly affected by this latest round of cuts, while Erasmus+ has been spared further reductions but remains below the Commission’s original proposal. Ahead of the European Council on 15-16 October 2026, EUA therefore reiterates its call for at least €200 billion for Horizon Europe and €60 billion for Erasmus+.

EUA points out that for Horizon Europe, the proposed cuts would further weaken Europe’s capacity to invest in the research and innovation that underpin its long-term competitiveness and prosperity, and regards the Commission’s original proposal as already insufficient to meet Europe’s ambitions, particularly given inflation and rising research costs. The association states that insufficient funding will undermine the stability universities need to attract talent, sustain long-term research and build the knowledge and technologies on which future innovation depends.

In the light of the upcoming negotiations on the MFF, EUA calls upon the higher education and research sector to remain mobilised to ensure ambitious investment in Horizon Europe and Erasmus+.

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