Science Europe calls for preserving the key values of European Partnerships in Horizon Europe 2028-34 (FP10)

Science Europe has published a position statement on the future of European Partnerships in the next EU Framework Programme, Horizon Europe 2028-34 (FP10). The statement, titled Preserving Key Values of European Partnerships in FP10, highlights the importance of European Partnerships as instruments for international scientific collaboration, policy alignment and the pooling of national resources.

In the context of ongoing discussions on the design of Horizon Europe 2028-34, Science Europe welcomes the ambition to develop a more coherent and strategic approach to European Partnerships. At the same time, it warns that some policy directions currently under consideration could reduce the ability of national research funding and performing organisations to participate in Partnerships. This, in turn, could weaken the European added value of the instrument.

The statement points in particular to concerns around the possible centralisation and standardisation of financial management and governance arrangements. According to Science Europe, approaches such as Central Financial Management could create significant feasibility challenges for national and regional organisations, given the diversity of funding systems, legal frameworks and administrative procedures across Europe.

Science Europe also cautions against an overly strong reduction in the number of Partnerships and the creation of larger and more complex initiatives. While a more strategic portfolio approach may bring benefits, the statement underlines that rationalisation should be carefully assessed. Merging areas that are insufficiently connected could reduce focus, make impact less clear, and create barriers for new entrants and smaller research communities.

Another message of the statement is the need to preserve the strong connection between European Partnerships, national research systems and research communities. Science Europe stresses that research funding and performing organisations play a central role in developing and implementing Partnerships, building long-term collaboration across borders and disciplines, and contributing to the European Research Area.

Science Europe calls on policymakers and co-legislators to ensure that relevant stakeholders remain fully involved in the development, governance and implementation of European Partnerships under Horizon Europe 2028-34. The organisation is also preparing further evidence-based recommendations to support the future development of European Partnerships.

The position statement is available on the Science Europe website.

Science Europe is an association of major research funding and research performing organisations. The association supports excellence in science and research in all disciplines, acting as a platform to develop positions on research policy issues and to address policy messages to the European institutions, researchers, national governments, and the public.