Horizon Europe to Continue Beyond 2027 with Increased Budget and New Four-Pillar Structure

The European Commission has unveiled plans to nearly double the budget for Horizon Europe to €175 billion as part of the upcoming long-term financial framework for 2028–2034. The next Framework Programme 10 (FP10) will continue to operate as a standalone initiative within the broader €409 billion European Competitiveness Fund (ECF).

“Horizon Europe is already a major programme, one of the most renowned research initiatives globally,” said Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during the budget announcement on July 16. “We will double it.” 

EU Research Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva outlined the proposed Horizon Europe budget and structure to EU research ministers during a meeting in Copenhagen, hosted by the Danish presidency of the Council of the EU. According to the breakdown, the European Commission plans to double the budget of the European Research Council (ERC) and triple the funding for the European Innovation Council (EIC), reinforcing its commitment to fundamental research and breakthrough innovation under the next Framework Programme.

The proposed structure mirrors the earlier draft plan, maintaining Horizon Europe as a standalone programme organised around four key pillars: Excellent Science, Competitiveness and Society, Innovation, and the European Research Area (ERA). This continuity reflects the EU’s ongoing commitment to a balanced and strategic approach to research and innovation.