EP ITRE Draft Report on Horizon Europe (2028-2034) is published

The European Parliament has published the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) Draft Report on the Horizon Europe (2028-2034) package. The report was released on 30 October 2026 and was prepared by the EP rapporteurs MEP Christian Ehler for the Horizon Europe Regulation, and MEP René Repasi for the Specific Programme. The documents are based on agreements between the rapporteurs and shadow-rapporteurs from all political groups. ITRE will vote on the report on 10 November 2026. The EP plenary vote is scheduled for the week of 23 November, then giving the European Parliament its mandate for the trilogue negotiations with the Council and the European Commission.

The report includes an Explanatory Statement providing the key elements of the European Parliament's position. Amongst many other issues, the EP calls for "separate but coordinated governance and programming structures" for Horizon Europe; closer cooperation between the EIC and InvestEU; focus on civilian R&I activities; European support for researchers at risk in Pillar I; four "Society Windows“ (Just Green Transition; Sustainable, Inclusive and Healthy Societies; Inclusive Digital Societies; Resilient Societies) under Pillar II; a "horizontal Window“ (Missions, New European Bauhaus Facility, Metrology Partnership, Pilot Initiative for Sectoral Plans); ERA Excellence Grants in Pillar IV; a new governance model for Pillar II (within FP10) with a High-level Council consisting of 30 leading experts; and lead experts for preparing call topics together with expert teams, (while Work Programmes would still be adopted by the Programme Committees).

With regard to the budget, the EP proposes € 200 billion for Horizon Europe (compared to € 175 billion proposed by the EC, and € 158 billion in the most recent proposal by the Irish Council Presidency); more funds for ERC and EIC, and a clearly defined budget for MSCA; 3.3% of the budget to be reserved for Widening measures; continuing funding of R&I activities of the five existing EU Missions until 2030; "Moonshots" as mission-oriented initiatives.

Among other issues addressed are the scientific and administrative independence of the ERC; keeping the bottom-up approach for MSCA; more strategic responsibility for the EIC Board; a "full Sectoral Plan" for European cooperation in SSH; strengthening European research ecosystems; limiting the number of Partnerships to 35 (compared to 60 currently, and the three scenarios of 18, 24 or 28 proposed by the Commission), with the possibility of in-kind contributions; a new category of "trusted partners" for international cooperation and research security.

Following the adoption of the ITRE report by the EP plenary in late November, it is unclear as yet when the trilogue negotiations will begin, as the European Parliament insists that the Heads of State or Government have to agree on the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) before negotiations can start. The Council is aiming at an agreement on the budget before the end of this year.

For more information:

ITRE Draft Report on the proposal for the Horizon Europe Regulation

ITRE Draft Report on the proposal for the Horizon Europe Specific Programme

Science|Business: Parliament rapporteurs release agreement on next Horizon Europe