Seen from Brussels

President von der Leyen broke ground for the construction of the new European Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (ESMC) in Dresden to secure EU industry.

Von der Leyen wants to “put research and innovation at the heart of our economy”: more investment in the ERC, critical technologies and European Universities. 

The Commission adopts its proposal for the EU’s 2025 budget. The European Semester report highlights that FP10 should contribute more to improving the EU’s competitiveness.

Council adopted a recommendation to Commission and Member States on responsible internationalisation. Research ministers react to the Horizon 2020 evaluation.

The Letta report recommends more harmonised EU research, innovation, and education policies and laws to help the European Union catch up internationally.

With the start of negotiations, researchers in Switzerland become eligible to apply for 2024 ERC Advanced Grants. The EC adopted its first defence industrial strategy.

Ministers also discussed the future of international R&I collaboration, the Commission proposed an advanced materials strategy, and the MFF revision was approved.

The package includes proposals to increase research security and presents options on how the support of dual use R&I can be enhanced in the next EU programmes.

Belgium will lead the EU during the first half of 2024. Next year will also see progress towards Swiss association to Union programmes.

Next year’s budget is slightly higher than proposed. Council agrees to the UK’s association; there is progress for Canada – and light on the horizon for Switzerland.