Boosting European Research Talent
In her opening speech at the 6th European Research and Innovation Days, Ursula von der Leyen outlined a strategic vision focused on advancing Europe’s scientific landscape through targeted support for talent, funding, and innovation scaling. Notably, she announced a €500 million investment package aimed at attracting top global researchers, with increased top-up grants and a new seven-year super-grant providing long-term stability to distinguished scientists. This move is designed to strengthen Europe’s competitive pull in the global research arena.
Doubling Horizon Europe’s Funding
Von der Leyen also proposed significant financial enhancements by doubling the budget for Horizon Europe to €175 billion in the forthcoming long-term budget. This increase aims to reinforce scientific excellence via the European Research Council and sustain Europe's prolific contributions, including breakthroughs in digital technology and vaccines. The ambitious budgetary target signals stronger EU-level investment, emphasizing the role of public funding in driving innovation and economic growth, predicted to generate up to an 11-fold return in GDP by 2045.
Bridging Research to Market
A key innovation in the speech was the introduction of a new Competitiveness Fund integrated with Horizon’s framework, focusing on pivotal sectors such as artificial intelligence and clean technologies. Additionally, a start-up and scale-up strategy aims to dissolve regulatory hurdles and close funding gaps, particularly the venture capital deficit for high-risk, high-tech European companies. This reflects a policy tilt toward fostering entrepreneurship and industry competitiveness within the EU’s innovation ecosystem.
Stakeholder Implications
The proposed measures stand to benefit European scientists by enhancing research stability and resources, and start-ups and scale-ups through improved funding and reduced regulatory costs. EU taxpayers might see increased public investment but with promises of long-term economic returns. National authorities will have to coordinate implementation, while EU regulatory bodies gain stronger roles in managing escalated funding programs. Industry sectors in AI and clean tech may face intensified competition, yet also benefit from a more innovation-friendly environment.
Overall, von der Leyen’s speech marks a clear push for expanded EU-level cooperation and investment in research and innovation, aiming to enhance Europe’s position globally with measurable funding targets and institutional strategies.