On 26 June 2026, the Council of the European Union agreed a partial general approach on the proposed Horizon Europe Framework Programme for Research and Innovation for 2028-2034, covering its rules for participation and dissemination. The agreement, reached at a meeting of the Competitiveness Council, sets key parameters for the next EU research framework programme, though all reference amounts remain pending the conclusion of Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) negotiations, and bracketed provisions are excluded from the partial approach.
The partial general approach introduces several notable policy orientations. Grants shall not be awarded for actions above Technology Readiness Level 8, effectively capping EU-funded research at the demonstration phase and pushing later-stage deployment to other instruments. European Partnerships must include ex-ante exit strategies and phasing-out measures for Framework Programme funding, reflecting a push for long-term sustainability and reduced dependency on EU budgets. EU Missions—covering climate, cancer, ocean, soil, and cities—should seek deployment at higher TRLs through the European Competitiveness Fund after 2030, signalling a transition from research to market uptake. The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) will see country correction coefficients and living allowances updated biennially based on the latest Eurostat data, ensuring alignment with cost-of-living changes. The European Innovation Council (EIC) is tasked with supporting deep-tech innovation, including women-led and youth-led startups, in synergy with the European Competitiveness Fund. Additionally, the programme shall foster integration of social sciences and humanities across all components.
The agreement impacts several stakeholders. EU researchers and universities face a TRL 8 cap, which may limit funding for near-market innovation but could redirect such projects to the European Competitiveness Fund. EU businesses, especially deep-tech startups, stand to benefit from EIC-ECF synergy requirements and targeted support for women- and youth-led ventures. National authorities in EU Member States and associated countries will need to adapt to mandatory partnership exit strategies, potentially reducing long-term financial commitments. EU taxpayers may see more efficient spending through biennial MSCA allowance updates and phased-out partnership funding, though the overall budget remains uncertain pending MFF negotiations.
Institutional follow-up is expected as the European Parliament will now consider its position on the Horizon Europe package, with trilogue negotiations likely to begin later in 2026. The partial general approach leaves several elements—including the overall budget and specific provisions in brackets—to be resolved in the broader MFF context.