Latest Science|Business news & analysis
Welcome to the weekly Science|Business roundup of the most significant news in R&D policy and funding, tailored for our LinkedIn audience.?
In this week’s main R&D policy news:?
We start with a flurry of leaked Horizon Europe work programmes for 2025. We have Cluster 4, EIC and Widening. All are linked below.??
In the meantime, the Brussels research and innovation bubble debates the role of dual use research in FP10. An EU official says that could cause problems for associated countries.??
As she prepares for her upcoming parliamentary hearing, research commissioner designate Ekaterina Zaharieva says FP10 is a “top priority” for her upcoming mandate, quelling fears R&D budget would be merged with the competitiveness fund.?
Finally, Portugal’s former science minister and chair of the European Commission’s expert group on FP10 says the European science community should prepare for “a brutal fight” during the upcoming negotiations for the EU multiannual budget. “It is time to stand together to ensure Europe’s leadership in research, innovation, science and technology,” says Manuel Heitor.??
In funding news:??
We have an analysis which shows that Horizon Europe Pillar I grantees have also secured €4.5 billion from other EU funds. It looks like the Commission’s much-promoted attempts to create synergies between different EU funds may be bearing fruit.?
This week’s Funding Radar rounds up climate adaptation-related calls. Investment is on the rise as the world faces up to managing the effects of a changing climate, with funding calls open currently in the EU, the Netherlands, UK, Canada, Israel, Uruguay and the US.?
An analysis by the European Patent Office shows universities are increasingly taking direct control over the filing of academic patents. Between 2000 and 2019, the share of academic patents filed directly by universities increased from 24% to 45%.?
Travelling outside the Brussels bubble, Martin Greenacre looks into why start-ups and researchers in France are ringing alarm bells over the country’s austerity budget for 2025.?
Crunching numbers in the Data Corner, Raffaele Guerini shows that associated Horizon Europe countries are getting more money from the programme than before. And rather than the newcomers to Horizon Europe association, it is the old hands that are doing best.?
Last but not least, Insider’s view this week gives us a glimpse into the European Research Council’s peer review process, with evaluator Marcus Collier sharing his advice for applicants.?
Policy Bulletin
EIC to launch €300M call to scale up strategic technologies
The European Innovation Council would double its equity investments, putting up to €30M each into tech and biotech companies, draft plan says. Click here to read more
Commission plans €1.47B for industry R&D to bolster tech autonomy
Draft Horizon Europe plan for space, digital and industry research would limit foreign participation in sensitive areas, leak suggests. Click here to read more
AI tops €550M digital R&D agenda in Horizon Europe, leaked document shows
Draft plans include using AI to help enforce AI Act. Also under consideration: AI in pharma, aerospace, telecoms and robotics. Click here to read more
EU to announce €20M for Widening start-ups in 2025
Draft work programme reveals plans for the first dedicated Widening calls for European Innovation Council pre-accelerator funding. Click here to read more
Dual use research in FP10 could cause problems for associated countries, says EU’s chief negotiator
Just as new countries join the EU research programme, it’s being radically reorganised. Click here to read more
Research commissioner designate outlines plans for Framework Programme 10.
FP10 a ‘top priority’, Ekaterina Zaharieva tells MEPs, quelling fears R&D budget would be merged with the competitiveness fund. Click here to read more
Viewpoint: a brutal fight lies ahead in securing our future in research
It is time to stand together to ensure Europe’s leadership in research, innovation, science and technology. Click here to read more
Funding Newswire
Researchers who got funding from Horizon Europe’s Pillar I have tapped €4.5B from other EU funding streams
The Commission’s push to create synergies between different funds is bearing fruit. Click here to read more
Funding Radar: This week’s round up of calls in climate adaptation
Here’s a list of funding opportunities in the EU, UK, Israel, Uruguay, Canada and the US. Click here to read more
European universities are taking control of academic patenting
New European Patent Office analysis also finds the continent remains fractured when it comes to innnovation. Click here to read more
French researchers and start-ups raise alarm over spending cuts
Government plans to end fiscal incentives for start-ups, while the 2025 increase in the research budget is less than previously agreed. Click here to read more
Participation from associated countries on the rise – and it’s not just the newcomers
Countries associated to Horizon Europe are increasing involvement, especially old-timers Norway, Turkey and Ukraine. Click here to read more
Winning formula: putting the ‘Eurovision’ moment into a European Research Council proposal
Evaluator Marcus Collier gives a peak into its peer review process and shares tips for winning ERC grants. Click here to read more
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