Scientists dismayed by underfunded and underpowered EU research programme

A €4 billion (£3.5 billion) top-up for the next European research programme, Horizon Europe, has been decried as ‘peanuts’ and greeted with dismay by scientists across the continent.

The deal takes funding for Horizon Europe to €84.9 billion – some €10 billion less than the European commission proposed in May, and far short of the €120 billion the parliament originally wanted. It includes a €5 billion contribution from the pandemic recovery fund but that is earmarked for innovations closer to market, rather than basic research.