10 April 2025 – ECMI is among the 41 organisations from civil society, academia, and industry who have sent an open letter to the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, calling for a strong and independent Research and Innovation Framework Programme 10 (FP10) with a dedicated budget.
The signatories express concern over political narratives that would effectively dissolve FP10 into a broader European Competitiveness Fund, cautioning that this could jeopardise its important mission, strategic focus, and legal basis under Article 182 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.
“Science must serve as a unifying force, not a source of division. It is a cornerstone of Europe’s prosperity, resilience, and the long-term sustainability of its economic and social model. It is also a means to strengthen global collaboration, enhance social cohesion, and ensure human security,” the letter states.
The call echoes recent positions adopted by both the European Parliament and the Council of the EU in favour of a independent and well-funded FP10. The signatories stress that research and innovation are essential not only to EU competitiveness, but importantly also to democratic resilience, strategic autonomy, and the long-term sustainability of Europe’s economy and society, to improve food and energy sustainability and global health while delivering on the green and digital transitions.
The full letter is available here: https://docs.sciencescitoyennes.ovh/s/YPt9M3irWELqcPt
The letter preparation has been coordinated by ISE, of which ECMI has become recently a new member.