The European Commission has introduced a ambitious proposal for the next Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (R&I), Horizon Europe, set to run from 2028 to 2034 as part of the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). The primary objective is to centralize R&I as the cornerstone of EU actions for the forthcoming years. However, the limited budget necessitates a significant overhaul of governance structures. Europe’s R&I system is currently fragmented, inefficient, and misaligned with critical geopolitical, industrial, and global sustainability challenges.
To address these issues, the proposal suggests the establishment of two new high-level councils under Pillar II, aimed at managing the entire ‘lab-to-market’ journey. The first council, the Council on Research and Innovation for Competitiveness and Security (CRICS), would focus on dual-use technologies, industrial sovereignty, defense innovation, and economic resilience. This council would ensure that investments are tightly linked to policy and industry needs, fostering a more integrated and responsive R&I ecosystem.
The second council, the Council on Global Societal Challenges (CGSC), would concentrate on global public goods such as climate change, health, and biodiversity. It would prioritize openness, participation from low- and middle-income countries, science diplomacy, and multistakeholder partnerships. This alignment would complement initiatives like the Global Gateway and the Global Health resilience initiative, promoting a more inclusive and collaborative approach to global challenges.
Together, these councils would support the MFF political steering mechanism, facilitate rapid budget reallocation, and prevent the competitiveness and global challenge agendas from conflicting. By doing so, they would ensure that Europe’s R&I efforts are both strategically focused and globally impactful.
The reform draws inspiration from international models such as the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) in the United States, the Advanced Research and Invention Agency (ARIA) in the UK, the Strategic Innovation Fund (SPRIND) in Germany, and the China Science and Technology Innovation Board (CSTI). These models exemplify successful approaches to driving technological innovation, security, and global leadership.
The proposed governance overhaul is essential for Europe’s technological relevance, security, and global leadership. By streamlining the R&I system, the EU can better address the complex and interconnected challenges of the 21st century. This includes enhancing industrial competitiveness, ensuring economic resilience, and contributing to global sustainability efforts.
The CRICS would play a pivotal role in advancing dual-use technologies, which have both civilian and military applications. This focus is crucial for maintaining Europe’s technological edge and ensuring that defense innovation keeps pace with global advancements. By linking investments to policy and industry needs, the CRICS would foster a more cohesive and effective R&I ecosystem, capable of delivering tangible results that benefit both the economy and national security.
The CGSC, on the other hand, would address global societal challenges that transcend national borders. Climate change, health crises, and biodiversity loss are issues that require international cooperation and innovative solutions. By embedding openness and multistakeholder partnerships, the CGSC would promote a collaborative approach to these challenges, aligning with broader EU initiatives aimed at global sustainability and resilience.
The creation of these councils would also enhance the EU’s ability to rapidly reallocate budget resources in response to emerging challenges and opportunities. This flexibility is crucial for maintaining a competitive edge in the global R&I landscape, where technological advancements and geopolitical dynamics are constantly evolving. By preventing the competitiveness and global challenge agendas from cannibalizing each other, the councils would ensure that Europe’s R&I efforts are both strategic and impactful.
The proposed reform is not just about structural changes but also about fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration. By learning from international analogues, the EU can adopt best practices and innovative approaches that have proven successful in other regions. This includes leveraging public-private partnerships, encouraging interdisciplinary research, and promoting a risk-taking culture that drives groundbreaking innovations.
In summary, the proposed governance overhaul for Horizon Europe aims to create a more integrated, efficient, and globally relevant R&I system. By establishing the CRICS and CGSC, the EU can address both competitiveness and global challenges more effectively, ensuring that Europe remains at the forefront of technological innovation, security, and global leadership. This reform is a critical step towards positioning the EU as a leader in research and innovation, capable of tackling the complex challenges of the 21st century.
