Parliament delivers on Draghi with €200bn Research Programme

The European Parliament is committed to delivering on the recommendations of Mario Draghi's report by demanding €200 billion for the EU’s flagship research funding programme Horizon Europe for 2028-2034. The programme is tightly connected to the new European Competitiveness Fund to create pathways from innovation and scientific breakthroughs to competitive businesses. 

"Draghi was clear: Europe needs to double its investments in research and innovation, but money alone will not get us there. We need fundamental reforms. Today’s committee vote delivers on both conditions. The Parliament demands an independent and agile Framework Programme, expert-led governance and stronger support for disruptive innovation, closely connected to the European Competitiveness Fund. Innovation must drive industrial policy, not the other way around," says Parliament’s chief negotiator Christian Ehler MEP, who is also the EPP Group’s spokesman on research policy.

Shaped by the EPP Group, the position of the European Parliament’s industry and research committee establishes a strong Framework Programme to turn research excellence into competitiveness, growth and strategic autonomy. The compromise text is supported by the EPP Group, S&D, Renew Europe and Greens.