UNICA signs open letter in support of FP10, calling for a stronger European Research & Innovation policy

06 March 2025 | From UNICA - Funding

UNICA has joined universities and research institutions across Europe in signing an open letter addressed to European leaders, advocating for a stronger, more ambitious European research and innovation (R&I) policy. The letter, sent to European Parliament’s President Roberta Metsola, European Council’s President António Costa, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk¹, and European Commission’s President Ursula von der Leyen, emphasizes the critical role of scientific excellence in Europe’s future competitiveness and calls for increased investment in the next EU framework programme (FP10).

The letter – written on the initiative of the League of European Research Universities (LERU) and The Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities (The Guild) – highlights the need for a groundbreaking R&I vision that ensures Europe remains at the forefront of global innovation. It stresses that while the European Commission’s Competitiveness Compass sets an ambitious direction, it must be underpinned by a robust commitment to scientific research.

Among the key recommendations outlined in the letter are:

• A substantially increased and ring-fenced budget for FP10 to support scientific excellence and societal advancement;
• Strengthening Europe’s capacity in complex technologies, health and life sciences, advanced materials, and democratic resilience through sustained research funding;
• Maintaining the excellence principle at the core of FP10, ensuring the integrity of the programme and fostering groundbreaking ideas;
• Expanding and safeguarding key research funding mechanisms such as the European Research Council (ERC) and Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) while reinforcing the autonomy of their governance structures;
• Supporting an autonomous European Innovation Council (EIC) toto help translate breakthrough knowledge into innovation;
• Enhancing international collaboration and science diplomacy, leveraging partnerships with closely associated countries and global allies to strengthen Europe’s research ecosystem.

The signatories stress that no national programme can match the EU’s ability to bring together top researchers across borders, and that preserving and enhancing this collaborative advantage is essential for Europe’s scientific and economic leadership. In a time of geopolitical uncertainty, the EU must continue to champion open research collaboration and leverage science diplomacy as a counterweight to isolationist trends.

By signing this letter, UNICA reaffirms its commitment to advocating for a well-funded, excellence-driven European research agenda that supports universities in their mission to advance knowledge, foster innovation, and contribute to a competitive and resilient Europe.

While the letter will be submitted on behalf of presidents/rectors, this initiative is supported by a number of other organisations like UNICA, including CESAER, Coimbra Group, European University Association (EUA), German Rectors’ Conference (HRK), German U-15, KU Leuven Association, Russell Group, Swissuniversities, TU9 – German Universities of Technology, and Yerun.

If you are a high-level representative of a university and wish to sign this letter, you can learn more about how to do it HERE.

(1) Poland currently holds the presidency of the Council of the EU (Jan- Jun 2025)