Research associations call for clear connection between ECF and Horizon Europe

On 25 February, seven European R&I stakeholder associations (CESAER, Coimbra Group, EUA, EU-LIFE, The Guild, LERU and YERUN ) published a joint statement in which they call for a clear and structured connection between the European Competitiveness Fund (ECF) and Horizon Europe.

The authors of the paper call on the EU to design the European Competitiveness Fund as a strong, innovation‑driven instrument that complements – but does not override – FP10, the next EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. They insist that FP10 and the ECF must remain two autonomous, expert‑driven programmes with distinct purposes: FP10 as the main engine for excellent, open and collaborative R&I, including early-stage innovation; the ECF as the primary tool for accelerating translation into impact through scaling, deployment, ecosystems, skills and infrastructures. The authors want universities, research institutes and other research-performing organisations to be able to contribute fully to both, and especially across the FP10–ECF interface.

They argue that a clear, structured interface between the two programmes is essential. FP10 should act as a 'bridge generator' and the ECF as a 'bridge amplifier', with connected but non‑hierarchical governance, separate work programmes and coordinated strategic boards. Operationally, they want faster, predictable pathways from FP10 into the ECF, including transition mechanisms that reuse prior evaluations instead of forcing projects to 'start from scratch'.

The authors also want the ECF to focus on the most promising innovations, supported by expert foresight, agile portfolio steering, crisis‑response mechanisms that preserve quality, and strong investment in innovation ecosystems and talent. Finally, they call for the ECF to support trusted international cooperation, including meaningful association of non‑EU countries, and to be substantially revised so that it safeguards FP10’s excellence-driven character while effectively boosting Europe’s long-term competitiveness and prosperity.

The statement can be downloaded here:

Designing the European Competitiveness Fund: Key elements and the FP10–ECF interface