The European research budget: Udice denounces the proposed budget cuts
Udice, echoing the European Parliament, strongly denounces the proposal of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) to reduce the annual research and innovation budget (Horizon Europe framework program). Udice calls for the support of the French government in an open letter addressed to the Minister of Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty and to the Minister of Higher Education and Research.
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Anne-Isabelle Bischoff, Managing Director Udice
For Michel Deneken, President of Udice, "Our capacity to respond to the major challenges and crises of the present and the future can only be at the European level. While other countries, in other regions of the world, are investing massively to respond to the climate emergency, the energy crisis or to ensure their independence in strategic technological sectors, it is regrettable to see Europe subjected to the temptation of budgetary austerity. The budget of the Horizon Europe framework program must not only be protected from cuts or redistributions, but it should be increased so that the means devoted to research and innovation are equal to our stated ambitions.”
This would correspond, for example, to a reduction of 122 M€ for the European Research Council (ERC) in support of research projects of excellence; 33 M€ for the Marie Sklodowska Curie Actions (MSCA) that support the mobility and training of researchers, or 27 M€ for research infrastructures, which are essential for conducting research and innovation in Europe. The member states are also considering not carrying over the amounts not consumed in 2022 by Horizon Europe (222.7 M€).
Udice warns of the lasting consequences of such a decision, which would weaken the attractiveness and competitiveness of the Union, by compromising European research and innovation capacities.
In an unstable world, it is fundamental to protect the Horizon Europe framework program and to invest in knowledge. This program is one of the main levers for Europe's influence beyond its borders. It is a question of maintaining and reinforcing what makes Europe strong: its capacity to anticipate through investment in research and innovation. It is precisely these investments in the future that have enabled Europe, for example, to be at the forefront of responses to the health crisis. They are what will enable us to respond to the major challenges and crises of the present and future.
About Udice:
Established in October 2020, Udice is the voice of ten research-intensive French universities, working for excellence in research, performance in higher education, and the development of attractive innovation ecosystems. Member universities: Aix-Marseille University, Sorbonne University, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Université Côte d'Azur, Université de Bordeaux, Université Paris Cité, Université de Strasbourg, Université Grenoble Alpes, Université Paris-Saclay, Université Paris Sciences et Lettres.
