In a written answer on 6 August 2026, Executive Vice-President Stéphane Séjourné signalled that European Universities alliances could receive support from the proposed European Competitiveness Fund (ECF), alongside existing Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe funding, to bolster their contribution to innovation, skills, and competitiveness. Responding to a parliamentary question from Mihai Tudose (S&D), Séjourné confirmed that while Horizon Europe remains a competitive, excellence-based programme without direct institutional funding for the alliances, the ECF regulation proposal explicitly allows them to apply for support where their activities align with the Fund's objectives, including in cooperation with local businesses.
This answer clarifies the Commission's stance on how university alliances can access future EU funding streams. Séjourné noted that the next Horizon Europe programme (2028-2034) will continue to support research and innovation through competitive calls, and that alliances may participate in such calls if their activities match the programme's topics. He also pointed to recital (21) of the ECF proposal, which mentions skills intelligence, upskilling, and reskilling, as well as fostering public-private cooperation, as relevant areas for alliance involvement. The answer encourages alliances to combine ECF, Erasmus+, Horizon Europe, and other EU instruments to create complementary funding packages, potentially incentivising national and regional contributions.
The response comes amid ongoing negotiations on the next multiannual financial framework (2028-2034), with the Council having already decided to continue Erasmus+ support for university alliances. Séjourné's answer does not introduce new numerical targets or deadlines but frames the ECF as an additional, flexible avenue for alliances to secure funding, provided they meet the Fund's competitiveness-related criteria. This positions the Commission as supportive of expanding the alliances' role beyond academic cooperation into economic and innovation policy, while maintaining the competitive, excellence-based nature of Horizon Europe.
The practical impact will depend on the final shape of the ECF regulation and the next Horizon Europe work programmes. University alliances seeking funding will need to tailor projects to competitiveness objectives, potentially in partnership with businesses. For the Commission, this approach aims to maximise the use of existing and proposed instruments without creating new dedicated funding lines. For member states and regions, it may encourage co-financing of alliance activities. For businesses, it opens opportunities for collaboration with academia on skills and innovation. The answer leaves room for alliances to benefit from the ECF, but the actual availability of funds will hinge on the regulation's adoption and the allocation of resources in the next MFF.