WG EU RD&I Programmes

EARTO Working Group on the EU RD&I Programmes is composed of more than 160 experts. This WG is looking at the implementation of the FPs (Horizon Europe), focusing on monitoring its elaboration and simplification, as well as tracking RD&I EU policies (ERA Act, Innovation Act, etc.) and preparing for the next EU Budget, especially Horizon Europe 2.0, the European Competitiveness Fund and their orchestration. EARTO WG EU RD&I Programmes is also looking at how RTOs can be involved in and benefit from projects under the European Structural and Investment Funds, but also the role of RTOs in Smart Specialisation Strategies as well as the synergies between the Cohesion Policy and the EU RD&I Programmes.

Key Topics for 2026

  • Horizon Europe: following implementation, Clusters/KETs, Partnerships, Missions, EIC, EIT, etc, Strategic Plan 2025-2027 and EC Consultation on the past, present and future of EU R&I Framework Programmes 2028-2034
  • Development of the Next Framework Programme FP10
  • ERA implementation: following ERA Forum & ERA actions of interest
  • Digital Europe Programme: following implementation,  Innovation Hubs & TEFs
  • Interregional Innovation Investments (I3): promoting RTOs participation with regions
Cooperation with EU Institutions & Stakeholders
  • European Commission (DG R&I, DG CONNECT, DG GROW, DG JRC, DG REGIO)
  • European Parliament (ITRE, BUDG, REGI)
  • Council of the European Union
  • Committee of the Regions
  • Industry: BusinessEurope, Digital Europe, Orgalim and 50+ other Industry associations
  • Regions: ERRIN & Vanguard Initiative
  • Universities: EUA, CESAER, The Guild, YERUN
  • Science Europe
  • EAIC
  • Various consultants hired by DG R&I for EU studies

Latest Papers Published

EARTO Recommendations on the Governance of the new European Competitiveness Fund

EARTO members, as key actors of our RD&I ecosystem, welcome the EC’s proposals for the establishment of the ECF and FP10, as well as the amendments of the Council and the EP and provide additional contributions on the governance of MFF Heading II: Competitiveness.

10 / 10 / 2025

EARTO Recommendations on EC Proposals for ECF & Horizon Europe

EARTO members, as key actors of our RD&I ecosystem, welcome the EC’s proposals for the establishment of the ECF and Horizon Europe, and aim to provide additional contributions to ensure that such a simplification is effectively geared towards beneficiaries.

10 / 10 / 2025

EARTO Analysis of EC Proposal for the European Competitiveness Fund

EARTO and its members welcome the EC’s proposal for the ECF, including the Specific Programme for Defence Research & Innovation Activities. To strengthen such a proposal even further, EARTO has hereby made a detailed analysis of the EC’s proposal for the ECF Regulation.

10 / 10 / 2025

EARTO Analysis of EC Proposal for Horizon Europe

EARTO and its members welcome the EC’s proposal for Horizon Europe and its dedicated Specific Programme. To strengthen such a proposal even further, EARTO has hereby made a detailed analysis of the EC’s proposal for Horizon Europe’s Regulation.

10 / 10 / 2025

EARTO Analysis of EC Proposal for Horizon Europe Specific Programme

EARTO and its members welcome the EC’s proposal for Horizon Europe and its dedicated Specific Programme. To strengthen such a proposal even further, EARTO has hereby made a detailed analysis of the EC’s proposal for Horizon Europe’s Specific Programme Regulation.

18 / 09 / 2025

EARTO Press Release on the New EU Strategy on Research & Technology Infrastructures

EARTO warmly welcomes the European Commission’s newly published strategy on Research and Technology Infrastructures (RTIs), marking a pivotal moment for Europe’s RD&I ecosystem.

20 / 05 / 2025

EARTO Response to the EC Consultation on EU Strategy on RTIs

EARTO welcomes the EC's initiative to develop a new European Strategy on Research and Technology Infrastructures and underlines the crucial role of Technology Infrastructures and the continuum between RTIs in strengthening the EU’s competitiveness and sustainable growth.

01 / 04 / 2025

EARTO Response to EC Consultation on MFF

EARTO responded to the European Commission’s public consultation on the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and submitted two additional papers: 1. EARTO paper on the next MFF 2. EARTO Reaction to the EC Communication on a Competitiveness Compass for the EU

17 / 02/ 2025

EARTO Reaction to the EC Communication on A Competitiveness Compass for the EU

Only the inherent integration of RD&I efforts by design into the EU Competitiveness Compass will ensure that Europe is at the forefront of key advanced technologies, ground-breaking innovations, and novel products and services.

12 / 02 / 2025

Joint Statement - A stronger Europe through Research & Innovation

EARTO, together with CESAER, ERT, EUA, LERU, Science Europe, and The Guild, issues this joint statement and stands ready to collaborate with the European Institutions to ensure that RD&I remain central to Europe’s strategic priorities.

5 / 12/ 2024

EARTO Paper on EU Partnerships in FP10: How to boost Future EU Public-Private Partnerships?

EARTO welcomes the new European Commission’s priority to enhance Europe’s industrial competitiveness by realising a European Prosperity Plan that places Research, Development and Innovation (RD&I) at the core of the economy.

27 / 11/ 2024

EARTO Reaction to European Parliament’s Draft Report on the Assessment of the Implementation of Horizon Europe & Recommendations for FP10

EARTO appreciates the draft report from the European Parliament’s ITRE Committee on the implementation of Horizon Europe (HE) and the future of the next Framework Programme (FP10). The report rightly emphasises that the EU’s sustainable competitiveness and sovereignty hinges on Europe’s maintained leadership in scientific knowledge and technology development along the entire value chain of Research, Development and Innovation (RD&I).

21 / 10/ 2024

EARTO Paper on the Next EU Multiannual Financial Framework

In her Political Guidelines for the next European Commission 2024−2029, President von der Leyen launched two new key proposals: 1) the creation of a new Clean Industrial Deal to be supported by 2) a new European Competitiveness Fund as part of her upcoming proposal for a new and reinforced next EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). In parallel, Draghi’s report that President von der Leyen commissioned clearly calls for a doubled budget of the new EU RD&I Framework Programme (FP10) to EUR 200 billion, conditional on reforms. Accordingly, EARTO hereby presents its views on how to render future EU RD&I investments more impactful, complementing and supporting the new EU Clean Industrial Deal to effectively boost the EU’s productivity and industrial competitiveness.

17 / 10/ 2024

EARTO Reaction to the new EC Expert Group Report on Horizon Europe's Interim Evaluation

EARTO, the umbrella organisation of Europe's leading Research and Technology Organisations (RTOs) for applied research, hereby welcomes the European Commission (EC) Expert Group Report on the Interim Evaluation of Horizon Europe, which provides timely recommendations on strengthening Europe’s competitiveness through Research, Technology and Innovation. EARTO Members have been very active participants in EU Research, Development & Innovation (RD&I) Framework Programmes for the last decades (see our analysis here). Today, 1 out of 5 Horizon Europe projects include EARTO members, representing almost 50% of the EU Horizon Europe funding. Their extensive involvement demonstrates the critical role that RTOs play in turning scientific research into concrete, market-ready innovations that enhance Europe’s competitiveness on the global stage.

01 / 10/ 2024

EARTO Members’ Participation in Horizon Europe: Analysis from EC eCORDA data from June 2024

This memo provides information on EARTO Members’ Participation in Horizon Europe (HE) so far, with a comparison to Horizon 2020 (see EARTO H2020 analysis). The data used for this analysis has been gathered from the European Commission eCORDA database from the beginning of Horizon Europe until June 2024. The EARTO Partners’ category gathers the other participants in the projects in which EARTO members are involved.

30 / 09/ 2024

EARTO Response to the EC Consultation on ERA

To answer the European Commission’s public consultation on the European Research Area (ERA), EARTO would like to bring forward some key issues to the Member States and the European Commission regarding the current challenges as well as the evolution of ERA.

04 / 09/ 2024

Joint Statement for an ambitious FP10

In the shaping of the next European Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (FP10), we, the undersigned 115 European associations representing key European RD&I stakeholders, hereby urge the EU Institutions to significantly increase the current budget in view of FP10 and to make pan-European collaborative research the cornerstone of FP10, answering industrial needs by excellence. While the global technology race accelerates, the EU significantly lags behind in terms of investments in RD&I compared to its global competitors. This shortfall hampers the EU's ability to fully capitalise on its scientific and technological potential. For the sake of its long-term competitiveness, the EU needs to do more to attract and retain private RD&I investments in Europe.

30 / 04/ 2024

EARTO Answer to EC Consultation on Technologies with Dual-use Potential

EARTO welcomes the increased attention for research and development involving technologies with dual use potential, as described in the European Commission White Paper COM(2024) 27 final published last January 2024. EARTO Members have a wide range of expertise both in research in security and defence as well as in a very large range of technologies with dual-use potential.

30 / 04/ 2024

EARTO Inputs to the New ERA Policy Agenda

In the context of the current update of the ERA Policy Agenda 2025-2027, EARTO would like to bring some key issues to the attention of the Member States and the European Commission.

31 / 01/ 2024

EARTO Memo: 2024 EU Budget

EARTO is glad of the EU budget 2024 results and hereby would like to thank the EP BUDG and ITRE Committee Members for all their efforts to secure Horizon Europe budget.

08 / 09 / 2023

EARTO Inputs to ERAC on the next European Research & Innovation Framework Programme (FP10)

RTOs are very pleased with the opportunity offered by the EU Framework Programmes to contribute to the European Research Area by developing pan-European excellent and impactful collaborative applied research.

09 / 06 / 2023

EARTO Open Letter to the EC on EU Institutions Own Transparency: European Commission’s Who’s Who Digital Tool

The European Commission (EC) has recently made changes in the Who is Who directory of the EC. In this Open Letter to Ms Juhansone, Secretary-General of the EC, EARTO expresses its great concern about these changes.

10 / 02 / 2023

EARTO Reaction to the EC Proposal for a Green Deal Industrial Plan for the Net-Zero Age

EARTO welcomes the EC proposal for a Green Deal Industrial Plan for the Net-Zero Age. However, the RD&I and linked technologies’ development/maturation/scaling up are not obviously considered in the plan.

10 / 02 / 2023

EARTO Answer to the EC Consultation on EU RD&I Framework Programmes

Based on EARTO members extensive experience in EU RD&I FPs and in preparation of Horizon Europe mid-term review, EARTO would like to point out some key issues in response to EC Consultation on the past, present and future of the European Research & Innovation Framework Programmes 2014-2027.

10 / 02 / 2023

EARTO Analysis on EARTO Members’ Participation in Horizon Europe

RTOs have a leading position and driving role in FPs’ multi-disciplinary, large and complex collaborative projects. FP projects where RTOs are active have a larger participation from industry than projects without RTOs.

23 / 11 / 2022

EARTO Memo on 2023 EU Budget

EARTO is glad of the EU budget 2023 results and hereby would like to thank the EP BUDG and ITRE Committee Members for all their efforts to secure Horizon Europe budget.

23 / 11 / 2020

EARTO Press Release - Horizon Europe’s Budget Allocation

EARTO very much welcomes the additional €4bn budget for Horizon Europe and thanks again the European Parliament for its supportive actions during the MFF negotiations. Now comes the time for the EU Institutions to decide where to allocate this €4bn top-off.

07 / 10 / 2020

EARTO Reaction to the EC Communication on ERA

EARTO welcomes the new EC’s Communication on ERA for Research and Innovation. Especially, EARTO appreciates the 3 new ambitions for public RD&I investments, strong European industrial base and technological sovereignty and creation of a EU Strategy on Technology Infrastructures.

30 / 09 / 2020

Joint contribution to the public consultation on Interregional Innovation Investments (I3)

EARTO, AER, eurada, European Network of Living Labs, EuroTech Universities, CPMR and Vanguard Initiative support the I3 and welcome the agreement from the Council to create this new tool under the ERDF, while regretting the downsizing of its budget to €500m.

31 / 07 / 2020

EARTO Paper – Setting-up a European Strategy for Technology Infrastructures

Technology Infrastructures are the backbone of dynamic RD&I ecosystems. EARTO therefore puts forward a set of recommendations to contribute to the set-up and efficient implementation of a new EU Strategy for Technology Infrastructures.

27 / 07 / 2020

EARTO Inputs for the EC Communication on ERA

EARTO has been one of the key RD&I actors actively participating in the ERA Stakeholders’ platform. As input to the European Commission’s future Communication on a new ERA for Research and Innovation, EARTO developed four recommendations for an effective post-2020 RD&I policy in Europe.

22 / 07 / 2020

EARTO Press Release: Call for the European Parliament to Become the Champion of EU RD&I Investments

EARTO calls the European Parliament to become the champion of EU RD&I investments in response to the European Council deal on the future MFF and the Recovery Plan . This “deal” came at a very high price for the future long-term EU investments, especially in RD&I.

14 / 07 / 2020

EARTO Open Letter to President Michel – More Ambitious EU RD&I investments needed in the next MFF

Ahead of the upcoming European Council meeting, EARTO would like to support the efforts to reach a timely agreement on the MFF. Europe and its citizens need a future-oriented MFF at the level of EU's ambitions, and we need it now.

08 / 07 / 2020

EARTO Joint Contribution to the EC consultation reviewing the GBER

EARTO and Vanguard Initiative published their Joint Contribution to the second European Commission (EC)’s Consultation on targeted review of the General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER) and addressed some considerations about assessing this new specific approach as state aid.

02 / 07 / 2020

EARTO Response to the EC Consultation on the Renewed Sustainable Finance Strategy

EARTO and its members very much welcomed the European Commission’s stakeholder consultation on the Renewed Sustainable Finance Strategy as it aims to provide the policy tools to ensure that the financial systems genuinely supports the transition of businesses towards sustainability.

22 / 06 / 2020

EARTO Inputs for the EC Communication on Horizon Europe Missions

EARTO members very much appreciate the efforts of the EU Institutions to further develop Horizon Europe, addressing new and disruptive challenges and increasing the capacity of the programme to react flexibly towards these new challenges, especially the ‘new mission-oriented’ approach.

29 / 05 / 2020

EARTO Press Release: Call for a Swift MFF Agreement Ensuring Ambitious EU RD&I Investments

At the edge of a deep economic recession, Europe requires now more than ever a future oriented MFF with clear and ambitious commitments to prioritise Research, Development and Innovation (RD&I) investments.

26 / 05 / 2020

Joint Statement on EU Interregional Innovation Investments: towards EU economic recovery

AER, CPMR, EARTO, ENoLL, ERRIN, European Clusters Alliance, EuroTech Universities, UAS4Europe and Vanguard Initiative, jointly support the Statement on EU Interregional Innovation Investments towards the EU Economic Recovery.

19 / 05 / 2020

EARTO Paper on the EU Economic Recovery Package: Mobilising European RD&I Capabilities & Skills towards EU Economic Recovery Post COVID-19

EARTO brings forward a set of recommendations on how to utilise the EU Economic Recovery Package to mobilise European RD&I capabilities and skills to create a resilient, sustainable, technologically sovereign and inclusive post COVID-19 era in Europe.

11 / 03 / 2020

EARTO Press Release on the New EU Industrial Strategy

EARTO welcomes the EC Communication on "A New Industrial Strategy for Europe", with its clear focus on European industrial ecosystems based on key enabling technologies. EARTO very much values such approach, which is essential to foster the development of Europe’s innovation hubs along key industrial value chains and to boost collaboration and co-creation.

05 / 03 / 2020

EARTO Position Paper: Mobilising European RD&I Capabilities & Skills towards the European Green Deal

EARTO brings forward a set of recommendations which are focusing on how RD&I could further support the target of a sustainable and inclusive growth as defined by the European Commission under the European Green Deal.

19 / 02 / 2020

EARTO Open Letter to President Michel on the MFF for the Special European Council meeting of 20 February

Ahead of the Special European Council meeting of 20 February, EARTO fully supports the efforts undertaken to reach a timely agreement on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).

11 / 12 / 2019

EARTO Press Release on MFF: More ambition is needed for EU RD&I Investments

EARTO analysis of the Finnish Presidency proposal for the next MFF (2021-2027). EARTO has repeatedly called for an MFF at the level of EU's ambitions.

04 / 12 / 2019

EARTO Recommendations for European RDI Policy Post-2020

EARTO and its members hereby put forward a set of Recommendations for European RD&I policies post-2020.

25 / 10 / 2019

EARTO Answer to the EC Consultation on the Digital Europe Programme

EARTO and its members very much welcomed the EU Institutions' efforts to create the Digital Europe Programme (DEP).

25 / 09 / 2019

EARTO Joint Contribution to the EC Consultation Reviewing the GBER

EARTO and Vanguard Initiative welcome the EC's proposal to review the EU state aide rules to facilitate the combination of shared management funds and centrally managed funds.

23 / 09 / 2019

EARTO Answer to the EC Consultation on Horizon Europe Implementation Aspects - horizontal aspects

EARTO input on the topics covered by the EC consultation on Horizon Europe Implementation Strategy.

16 / 09 / 2019

Joint Statement for an Ambitious Horizon Europe Programme with 92 industry associations

AER, CPMR, EARTO, ERRIN, ENoLL, EuroTech Universities Alliance and Vanguard Initiative, as well as the co-leading Regions from 17 Smart Specialisation Partnerships, jointly support the Statement on Interregional Innovation Investments for European value chains.

21 / 08 / 2019

EARTO Answer to the EC Consultation on Horizon Europe Programme Strategic Planning

The crucial role of Research, Development and Innovation (RD&I) activities to support and boost industrial leadership is now at heart of the European Industrial Policy with the ultimate goals to benefit society.

03 / 06 / 2019

Joint Statement on Interregional Innovation Investments for European Value Chains

AER, CPMR, ERRIN, ENoLL, EuroTech Universities Alliance and Vanguard Initiative, as well as the co-leading Regions from 17 Smart Specialisation Partnerships, jointly support the Statement on Interregional Innovation Investments for European value chains.

03 / 06 / 2019

EARTO & Vanguard Statement on Synergies Post-2020

EARTO and the Vanguard Initiative very much welcome the new INTERREG component 5 and the new possibility of transferring resources between EU programmes: both could be key drivers to achieve synergies of funds.

17 / 04 / 2019

Press Release - EARTO Welcomes the EU Institutions' Agreement on Horizon Europe

EARTO and its members welcome the EU Institutions' timely agreement on HEU.

25 / 06 / 2018

EARTO Analysis of EC Digital Europe Programme Proposal

EARTO very much welcomes the EC legislative proposal for a new Digital Europe Programme and hereby would like to congratulate the EC for targeting key issues for Europe’s future.

25 / 06 / 2018

EARTO Recommendations on EC Proposal for HEU

EARTO and its members very much welcome the EC proposal for Horizon Europe. To strengthen such proposal, EARTO hereby lists its 9 key recommendations.

25 / 06 / 2018

EARTO Analysis of EC Regulation Proposal: Establishing HEU & its Rules for Participation

EARTO and its members welcome the EC proposal for Horizon Europe, which is in continuity with H2020 and builds on the successes of the previous FPs.

25 / 06 / 2018

EARTO Analysis of EC Decision Proposal: Horizon Europe Specific Programme

EARTO very much welcomes the EC legislative proposal establishing the specific programme implementing Horizon Europe. This paper presents RTOs’ detailled analysis and position on such proposal.

23 / 02 / 2018

EARTO Paper on European Innovation Hubs

An Ecosystem Approach to Accelerate the Uptake of Innovation in Key Enabling Technologies

22 / 02 / 2018

EARTO’s Call to Secure an Increased R&I Budget at the Level of Europe’s Ambitions

EARTO calls to secure an increased R&I budget in the MFF post-2020.

21 / 02 / 2018

Boosting Europe’s Future Competitiveness as Key Priority for FP9 – 2nd Joint Declaration by Industry and RTOs

Associations representing key European industrial research and innovation stakeholders, call on the EU Institutions to develop the FP9 with an appropriate design and budget, at the level of the ambitions of the Renewed EU Industrial Policy Strategy.