Six organisations representing the national research and innovation system - Coordinating Council of Higher Polytechnic Institutes (CCISP), Coordinating Council of the National Roadmap for Scientific Infrastructures of Strategic Interest (CC-RNIE), Council of Associated Laboratories (CLA), Council of Rectors of Portuguese Universities (CRUP), CTI Alliance – Portuguese Network of Technology and Innovation Centres and Forum of Collaborative Laboratories (FCoLAB) – call on the Portuguese Government to oppose the proposed budget cuts for the European Union’s next Framework Programme for Research and Innovation and to advocate for funding of at least 220 billion euros for the period 2028–2034.
It was with this in mind that they signed a joint declaration expressing their consensus on the need to increase the budget for the 10th Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (FP10 – from the acronym Framework Programme 10), across all its pillars, and to ensure coordination with the European Competitiveness Fund (ECF). The declaration has resonated across the rest of Europe, where other similar bodies from across the Member States of the European Union (EU) have expressed their concern regarding the proposal from the Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU, published on 10 October, concerning the Multiannual Financial Framework 2028–2034, which further reduces the FP10 compared with previous proposals.
This is why the six organisations are calling on the Portuguese Government to advocate, at European level – particularly within the European Council – for a budget of at least 220 billion euros for the FP10 in this new seven-year cycle. The six organisations consider that this course of action runs counter to the priority given in the Draghi report to science, technology and innovation as drivers of competitiveness, productivity and strategic autonomy. They therefore advocate an ambitious, dedicated and protected budget covering all pillars of the Framework Programme, in line with the recommendation of the independent group of high-level experts chaired by Manuel Heitor – former Minister for Science, Technology and Higher Education.
The statement emphasises that closing the technological and competitiveness gap between Europe and the United States and China requires continued investment in frontier research, talent, scientific infrastructure, collaborative research and disruptive innovation. It also highlights the decisive role of science and innovation in transforming decarbonisation and the digital transition into opportunities for economic development and technological leadership.
The organisations also advocate effective coordination between the Framework Programme and the future European Competitiveness Fund, ensuring continuity of support from knowledge creation through to technology development, application and business expansion, whilst preserving the specific mission of each instrument.
The joint position identifies five priorities: financial resources commensurate with European ambition; stability and predictability of funding; mobilisation of additional investment; complementarity between public and private funding; and strengthening the link between European and national investment.
In this last area, the signatories emphasise that Portugal’s participation in and leadership of European programmes depend on a robust national science and technology system. They therefore stress that the creation of the Agency for Research and Innovation (AI²) and the revision of the Science and Innovation Act must be accompanied by effective and sustained investment in national capabilities.
