03.03.2026

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Science Europe Hosts its First-ever Breakfast at the European Parliament on Horizon Europe

Science Europe hosted a breakfast at the European Parliament in Brussels, bringing together MEPs and members of our Governing Board, heads of Member Organisations, and experts to discuss Horizon Europe priorities. Anchored in Science Europe’s newly published recommendations for amendments, the event offered a rare opportunity for in-depth dialogue on research independence, competitiveness, and international collaboration.

About the Breakfast at the European Parliament 

Science Europe brought its members and policymakers together over breakfast at the European Parliament in Brussels, on 26 February 2026, creating a unique space for dialogue on the next European Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. Co-hosted with MEP Lina Gálvez, Shadow Rapporteur for the Horizon Europe Establishing Regulation, the event combined an in-person setting with substantive discussions on Europe’s research priorities. 

The breakfast gathered Science Europe Governing Board Members, Heads of Member Organisations, and experts, alongside MEPs Christian Ehler, René Repasi, Eszter Lakos, and Benedetta Scuderi. The conversations were anchored in Science Europe’s newly published recommendations for amendments to the proposed Horizon Europe Regulation and the Specific Programme implementing the Framework Programme. 

Participants explored key priorities for the programme, including reinforcing independence, safeguarding fundamental research, clarifying governance, increasing the budget to €200 billion, and supporting open and responsible international collaboration. Keynote remarks from Science Europe President Mari Sundli Tveit, MEP Lina Gálvez, and MEP Christian Ehler emphasised the importance of working together to strengthen European research and ensure its societal impact. 

The breakfast format allowed for richer exchanges than a standard parliamentary meeting, with table-level discussions enabling members and MEPs to tackle specific challenges and share perspectives on competitiveness, autonomy, and practical ways to achieve research excellence. Immediately afterwards, the European Parliament’s Committee for Industry, Research and Energy held a public hearing on Horizon Europe, where many of the breakfast discussions were echoed and expanded upon. 

This first-of-its-kind event demonstrated the power of direct, sustained dialogue between policymakers and the research community. Science Europe thanks MEP Lina Gálvez, all participating MEPs, and our Governing Board members, heads, and experts for making this inaugural breakfast a productive and inspiring exchange. 

12.02.2026

Proposal for Amendments to the Council Decision & Regulation of the European Parliament and Council on establishing the 10th Framework Programme for Research and Innovation

This document proposes amendments to the legislative documents that will establish and implement the 2028–34 Horizon Europe Framework Programme. These amendments aim to ensure that the programme remains excellence-driven, autonomous, and supportive of the full research value chain. They are based on broad stakeholder dialogue and a comprehensive, long-term vision of competitiveness.

 

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