Proposed cuts to Horizon Europe budget compromises Europe’s future

The Guild, together with research and university organisations, calls for the member states to reverse the proposed cuts for the 2023 budget of Horizon Europe. A financially well-equipped Horizon Europe is key to addressing the current and future challenges European citizens are facing, and for Europe to secure its global competitiveness.

The proposed cuts by the European Council are substantial and disproportioned, amounting to over €663 million. This is in stark contrast to the declared political priorities of the Commission, the Parliament and the Council. The cuts will not only jeopardise the European Union’s global competitiveness but would also come at a time when Europe’s competitors are ramping up their investments in sectors like semiconductors and climate change adaptation.

The rapid development of vaccines against COVID-19 has shown that continuous, far-sighted investment in fundamental research as well as in close-to-market innovation is of paramount importance for having the right tools at hand when they are most urgently needed. The proposed cuts to Horizon Europe budget create uncertainty for European researchers and innovators, and can entice them to seek more favourable conditions outside Europe.

Jan Palmowski, Secretary-General of The Guild, warned: “The EU must not mortgage our future through present investment needs. If the EU is to remain a knowledge powerhouse with world-leading expertise in health, environmental sustainability or digital transformation, we need to harness all our resources to enable our scientists and innovators”.

29 September 2022

 

Read the joint letter

Image: © European Union

Published Sep. 29, 2022 2:43 PM - Last modified Oct. 3, 2022 2:36 PM