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EU calls for mega investments: the future of research is in the balance!
RWTH Aachen supports EU demands for greater investment in research and innovation to ensure Europe's competitiveness.
EU calls for mega investments: the future of research is in the balance!
On March 12, 2025, the European university network CESAER called on the EU to increase investment in research and innovation. This is supported by RWTH Aachen, which pointed out the need for a strategic focus on Europe's competitiveness in an open letter to prominent EU representatives such as Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the EU Commission. The aim of this initiative is to sustainably secure Europe's competitiveness through targeted and increased investments in the area of research and innovation.
RWTH Aachen and other universities welcome the European Commission's goal of making research and innovation the central pillar of the economy. In this context, they support the plan to increase EU and national spending on research and innovation to over 3% of gross domestic product (GDP). At the same time, however, criticism of the European Compass for Competitiveness is being expressed. This does not develop a clear vision for a groundbreaking policy in relation to research and innovation.
Demands for an ambitious framework program
A central point of the demands is the need to increase investment across the entire research and innovation continuum. This is to be done through an ambitious framework program with a higher budget. It emphasizes the need to strengthen research and innovation in key areas such as complex technologies, health and life sciences, advanced materials and societal resilience. The principle of excellence should remain at the heart of the next framework program, FP10.
In addition, an expansion of the European Research Council and the Marie Skłodowska-Curie measures is called for. The establishment of an autonomous European Innovation Council is also considered necessary.
EU investment in research and innovation
The EU has decided to support researchers with a funding volume of around 13.5 billion euros in the years 2023 to 2024. These funds are based on the main work program for Horizon Europe, which has a total volume of 95.5 billion euros. These investments aim to achieve climate goals, increase energy resilience and promote the development of digital technologies.
In total, targeted funds of over 5.67 billion euros are earmarked for 2023-2024 for climate goals, which also include the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, 1.67 billion euros will be invested to promote biological diversity, while over 4.5 billion euros will flow into digital transformation. An amount of almost 970 million euros will be used to support the energy transition, in line with the REPowerEU plan.
These dedicated investments are part of a comprehensive EU strategy to strengthen research and innovation as a driver of growth and competitiveness in Europe. The challenges facing Europe require decisive action and cooperation both within the EU and beyond. The establishment of partnerships between industry and the public sector and the intensification of international cooperation in the field of research are essential.