Overview
The legislative file 2025/0543(COD) concerns the proposal for a Regulation establishing the Horizon Europe framework programme for research and innovation for the period 2028–2034, which would repeal the current Regulation (EU) 2021/695. The procedure is ongoing under the ordinary legislative procedure, with the European Parliament's status listed as awaiting a committee decision and an indicative plenary sitting date for a first reading set for 5 October 2026. The analysis is based on a draft opinion from the European Parliament's Committee on Security and Defence (SEDE) and a preparatory note from the Council of the EU. The SEDE draft opinion focuses on integrating security and defence considerations, while the Council document frames outstanding political issues for ministerial debate.
Legislative timeline
The Commission proposal is under first-reading examination. The Council held deliberations on the proposal on 27 February 2026, following preparatory work on 18 February 2026. In the European Parliament, the file was referenced in a plenary session on 18 March 2026. The next key procedural step is an indicative plenary sitting date for the first reading scheduled for 5 October 2026.
Institutional handling
The lead committee in the European Parliament is the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE). The Committee on Security and Defence (SEDE) has also prepared a draft opinion on the file. Within the European Commission, the responsible Directorate-General is Research and Innovation (RTD), under Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva. In the Council of the EU, the file is handled by the Competitiveness Council configuration (COMPET).
Stakeholder reactions
Stakeholder engagement on this file has been substantial, with 300 recorded meetings involving 93 Members of the European Parliament, 94 Commissioners, and 113 European Commission staff, representing 162 distinct organisations. The most active organisations in these engagements include the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd, The British Academy, The Royal Society, The Russell Group of Universities, and Orgalim – Europe's Technology Industries. On the topic of 'Research priorities within the EU', several stakeholders expressed strong support for directing EU research funding toward strategic and industry-relevant objectives. This position was explicitly held by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd, Onego Bio, Universities of Applied Sciences Netherlands (UASNL), and Leiden University of Applied Sciences. Regarding 'EU Single Market harmonisation', stakeholders like ANGED (Asociación Nacional de Grandes Empresas de Distribución) and the Cross-border benefits alliance (CBBA) strongly supported removing barriers, while the European Energy Exchange AG (EEX) and The Luxembourg Bankers Association (ABBL) expressed supportive positions favoring regulatory stability and the removal of barriers.
Media coverage
Media coverage from Brussels includes seven news articles. One article lists EU policy-related events for a specific week, noting Cyprus’s presidency role and various institutional discussions. Other articles report that three Renew Europe MEPs are calling for enhanced EU investment in healthcare staffing through programmes including Horizon Europe, alongside the EU4Health programme and the Recovery and Resilience Facility, to address workforce shortages and burnout. These articles also highlight the advocated role of digital health technologies.
- ITRE_PR(2026)785237 PE785.237v03-00 ITRE open ›
Committee · Two columns split · 2026-03-13
- CONT_AM(2026)784440 PE784.440v01-00 CONT open ›
Committee · Two columns split · 2026-03-09
- REGI_AM(2026)785299 PE785.299v01-00 REGI open ›
Committee · Two columns split · 2026-03-05
- SEDE_AM(2026)784443 PE784.443v01-00 SEDE open ›
Committee · Two columns split · 2026-02-13
- CONT_PA(2026)784221 PE784.221v01-00 CONT open ›
Committee · Two columns split · 2026-02-13
- DRAFT OPINION ON THE PROPOSAL FOR A REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL ESTABLISHING HORIZON EUROPE, THE FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME FOR RESEARCH AND INNOVATION, FOR THE PERIOD 2028-2034 LAYING DOWN ITS RULES FOR PARTICIPATION AND DISSEMINATION, AND REPEALING REGULATION (EU) 2021/695 open ›
Committee · Two columns split · 2026-02-09
- DRAFT OPINION ON THE PROPOSAL FOR A REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL ON ESTABLISHING HORIZON EUROPE, THE FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME FOR RESEARCH AND INNOVATION, FOR THE PERIOD 2028-2034 LAYING DOWN ITS RULES FOR PARTICIPATION AND DISSEMINATION, AND REPEALING REGULATION (EU) 2021/695 open ›
Committee · Two columns split · 2026-02-09
- AMENDMENTS 23 - 267 - DRAFT OPINION PROPOSAL FOR A REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL ESTABLISHING HORIZON EUROPE, THE FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME FOR RESEARCH AND INNOVATION, FOR THE PERIOD 2028-2034 LAYING DOWN ITS RULES FOR PARTICIPATION AND DISSEMINATION, AND REPEALING REGULATION (EU) 2021/695 open ›
Committee · Two columns split · 2026-02-09
- AMENDMENTS 22 - 139 - DRAFT OPINION ESTABLISHING HORIZON EUROPE, THE FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME FOR RESEARCH AND INNOVATION, FOR THE PERIOD 2028-2034 LAYING DOWN ITS RULES FOR PARTICIPATION AND DISSEMINATION, AND REPEALING REGULATION (EU) 2021/695 open ›
Committee · Two columns split · 2026-02-05
- Voting result Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council providing macro-financial assistance to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan - Adoption of the legilsative act - 4148th meeting of the COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION (Economic and Financial Affairs) 20 January 2026, Brussels open ›
INF, VOTE, CODEC, PUBLIC · Non-legal · 2026-01-20
- DRAFT OPINION on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing Horizon Europe, the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, for the period 2028-2034 laying down its rules for participation and dissemination, and repealing Regulation (EU) 2021/695 open ›
Committee · Two columns split · 2026-01-20
- DRAFT OPINION on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing Horizon Europe, the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, for the period 2028-2034 laying down its rules for participation and dissemination, and repealing Regulation (EU) 2021/695 open ›
Committee · Two columns split · 2026-01-14
- Voting result REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL amending Regulation (EU) 2021/2115 as regards the conditionality system, types of intervention in the form of direct payment, types of intervention in certain sectors and rural development and annual performance reports and Regulation (EU) 2021/2116 as regards suspensions of payments, annual performance clearance and controls and penalties (first reading) - Adoption of the legislative act - Approval of the Council declaration - Outcome of the written procedure completed on 18 December 2025 open ›
INF, VOTE, CODEC, PUBLIC · Unknown · 2025-12-19
- COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION (Foreign Affairs) open ›
OJ CONS, RELEX · 2025-10-17
- Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL establishing Horizon Europe, the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, for the period 2028-2034 laying down its rules for participation and dissemination, and repealing Regulation (EU) 2021/695 open ›
RTD · unknown · 2025-07-16