On 26 June 2026, the Council of the EU adopted a partial general approach on Horizon Europe 2028-2034 (FP10), the 10th EU research framework programme, with several Member States entering statements into the minutes. The partial general approach covers most of the framework programme but leaves Article 19 (on budget) pending progress in negotiations on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).
Austria expressed support for FP10 as an enabler of knowledge, prosperity and peace, and noted it successfully advocated for research on democratic, culturally diverse, inclusive, socially just, secure and peaceful societies, as well as dual-use research for civil and military applications. However, Austria regretted that research with exclusively military applications will be funded by Horizon Europe, arguing it should be financed by the European Competitiveness Fund (ECF), which will incorporate defence-related activities from the European Defence Fund (EDF). This marks a divergence from the Commission's proposal to include defence research in Horizon Europe.
Germany welcomed the partial general approach but stressed the importance of continuing existing practices on research involving human embryonic stem cells and embryos. Germany noted that Article 21(10) of the FP10 Regulation stipulates legally binding ethical exclusion criteria, continuing rules from FP9 (2021-2027), and expects the European Commission to issue a statement on FP10 in line with its FP9 statement (2021/C 185/01) ensuring no EU funds go to research where human embryos are destroyed. This reaffirms Germany's long-standing position on ethical boundaries in EU research funding.
Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Latvia, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia supported the partial general approach, but conditioned their agreement on the state of MFF negotiations as reflected in the Presidency's Negotiating Box (ST 10058/26), since Article 19 of the Horizon Europe Regulation is excluded pending MFF progress. These seven Member States considered it essential that the Programme continues capacity-building measures for both Widening and Transition countries with differentiated modalities, and that an increase in public R&I investment as an eligibility condition is assessed on a nominal increase compared to the preceding year. This reflects a cleavage between Member States seeking to maintain flexibility for lower R&I spending countries and those pushing for stricter investment conditions.
The partial general approach will now serve as the Council's negotiating mandate for trilogue discussions with the European Parliament, which is expected to adopt its position later this year. The final adoption of FP10 depends on agreement on the overall MFF, which remains under negotiation.