Following the recent decision by the EU to cut the budget of Horizon Europe by €2.1 billion [1], the Association ERC Grantees (AERG) wishes to highlight, more than ever, the importance of fundamental research, as was already done in our statement on the Horizon Europe Strategic Plan for 2025-2027. We fully endorse the call by the ERC Scientific Council to "double the spending for research and innovation", a necessary step "for Europe to maintain its competitive edge in global science and technology" [2].
[1] See section (29)b of: https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/69866/20240201-special-euco-conclusions-mff-ukraine-en.pdf. See also Innovation Commissioner Ivanova's critical comments on this measure: https://www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/talking-europe/20240209-innovation-commissioner-ivanova-funding-cuts-in-eu-research-are-a-red-flag
[2] See the Statement by the ERC Scientific Council on the next EU framework programme for research and innovation (FP10), January 24, 2024. https://erc.europa.eu/news-events/news/statement-erc-scientific-council-next-eu-FP