In a joint statement, New Zealand, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom have called on the European Commission to ensure the future Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (FP10) remains a strong, inclusive, and stand-alone initiative. As non-EU countries associated with Horizon Europe, these countries emphasise the critical role of FP10 in fostering global competitiveness, research excellence, and international collaboration.
The signatories, including Hon Dr Shane Reti (New Zealand), Dr Martina Hirayama (Switzerland), and Lord Vallance (United Kingdom), urge for FP10 to prioritise research excellence, agility, and responsiveness to pressing challenges such as climate change and health crises. They stress the importance of bottom-up instruments like the ERC and EIC to support the entire innovation value chain.
Additionally, the statement highlights the need for financial transparency, noting that associated countries contribute nearly 30% of Horizon Europe’s budget. A clear, stand-alone FP10 would ensure accountability and secure sustained investment.
Crucially, the non-EU leaders advocate for international cooperation, saying FP10 must continue to facilitate global partnerships to address shared priorities such as sustainability, public health, and emerging technologies.
The statement concludes with a call to the European Commission to maintain FP10’s distinct identity, ensuring a robust framework for advancing science and innovation worldwide.
The statement can be downloaded here: https://era.gv.at/public/documents/5299/CH_NZ_UK_Joint_statement_of_non-EU_countries_on_FP10.pdf
Read the Science Business article about the statement: Associated countries call for ‘stand-alone’ FP10 | Science|Business