Draft Reports on the Proposal for FP10 from the European Parliament
Christian Ehler and René Repasi, who are both members of the European Parliament and the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, have published their draft reports on the EC's proposal for the next Framework Programme, FP10. Ehler’s report focuses on the proposal for a regulation to establish FP10, while Repasi’s report focuses on the proposal for the Specific Programme.
Christian Ehler has been appointed lead rapporteur to steer the next EU research Framework Programme, FP10, through the European Parliament.
"With my Draft Report for the Horizon Europe Regulation, I set out exactly how the Commission’s promises can be kept through a clearly defined governing structure, including for Pillar 2. It puts forward concrete proposals for a Programme reformed in line with the Draghi, Letta, Niinisto and Heitor reports, drawing on the Nobel Prize-winning work of Prof. Aghion et al., and in keeping with President von der Leyen’s guidelines - Europe’s Choice - promise to put research and innovation at the heart of the European economy. My proposals are guided by the work of these world-class experts and a set of principles that should define the shape and ambition of Horizon Europe"
Christian Ehler on his LinkedIn page.
In his draft report, Ehler suggests that Partnerships should, by default, be implemented as Joint Undertakings (Articles 187) and Partnerships according to Article 185. He supports the idea of fewer, larger partnerships, as outlined in the Draghi report, with a Union contribution of at least two billion euros. In his view, Institutionalised Partnerships are better suited for large-scale initiatives that combine funding from several Union programmes, national governments, and the private sector. These Partnerships could particularly be used where the priorities of the European Competitiveness Fund require the implementation of a joint research and deployment agenda for a particular ecosystem, requiring funding from both FP10 and the European Competitiveness Fund. Partnerships shall be based on a contractual arrangement instead of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) as proposed by the European Commission. Contributions from private actors could also be in kind. Ehler also suggests that European Partnerships should be implemented based on a Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) between the partners.
Download Ehler's draft report here: DRAFT REPORT 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
René Repasi has been appointed as co-rapporteur.
"At a time of geopolitical fragmentation, accelerating technological competition and an intensifying global race for talent, research policy is no longer a niche policy area, but one that is at the centre of Europe’s long-term competitiveness and resilience. Europe’s strength and strategic autonomy will depend on one thing above all: our ability to generate knowledge and innovation....
The draft report therefore focuses on preserving and strengthening the distinctive role of Horizon Europe, while improving its complementarity with the proposed European Competitiveness Fund."René Repasi on his LinkedIn page.
In his draft report, Repasi emphasises that Partnerships should only be established in cases where Union action alone, or other forms of support under the Specific Programme, cannot achieve the desired objectives in addressing research and innovation challenges. The governance of the Partnerships shall include independent scientific advisory mechanisms to ensure that strategic orientation and priority setting are informed by recognised experts in the field. Repasi asks the Commission to submit a consolidated report on the performance, added value and portfolio coherence of all European Partnerships to the European Parliament and the Council every two years. Partnerships shall establish expert-led planning platforms to agree on and prepare detailed funding plans, indicative budget allocations and task divisions within the Partnership. Any decision on the renewal or extension of a European Partnership shall be preceded by an independent evaluation, and the European Parliament and the Council shall be invited to contribute to it.
Download Repasi's draft report here: DRAFT REPORT on the proposal for a Council decision on establishing the Specific Programme implementing Horizon Europe - the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation for the period 2028-2034, laying down the rules for participation and dissemination under that Programme, and repealing Decision (EU) 2021/764
On 24 March 2026, MEPs Christian Ehler and René Repasi will discuss their draft reports at the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) Ordinary Meeting, starting at 14:30. The event will be streamed.