Horizon Europe: larger budget for European research

7 June 2018

The European Commission has launched its proposal for Horizon Europe, the European programme for research and innovation, for the 2021-2027 period. The best research projects in universities and businesses are due to receive almost EUR 100 billion from Europe in the next few years.

MEP Anneleen Van Bossuyt reacts with satisfaction: “The EUR 100 billion for research and innovation is essential for economic growth in the EU. Every euro we invest in European research creates 11 euros of economic added value. The results cannot be underestimated. Just think of cancer therapies, the treatment of HIV or new supercomputers. All developed with European support.”

Never before has the budget for research and innovation been as large as it is today. Anneleen Van Bossuyt reacts with enthusiasm, but is also critical: “Europe must involve itself less in areas such as agriculture, which still takes an enormous chunk of the budget.”

Flemish universities and institutions among the largest recipients

These European research resources are also invaluable for Belgium. Per inhabitant, it is Belgium that receives the most money for research and innovation. That money goes mainly to Flanders and Brussels. “Our Flemish universities and research institutions are among the world leaders. It is not surprising that the universities of Leuven and Ghent are the largest Flemish recipients, followed by IMEC and the Flemish Institute for Biotechnology,” Anneleen Van Bossuyt says.

Participants from outside the European Union

For the British, the door is being left ajar. The form in which they can participate in the research and innovation programme once they have left the EU is part of the Brexit negotiations. But participants from outside the European Union are by no means an exception. For example, Switzerland is also participating in Horizon 2020 and is contributing to the European budget in this regard.

The European Parliament and the European Ministers for Research and Innovation will be examining this proposal closely in the coming months. The aim is to reach an agreement before the May 2019 elections.

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