86 Organisations Make the Case for a Stronger FP10 as Europe Debates Its €175bn Research Budget
13 July 2026 · Strategic Funding Partners
<span style="color:#787774">Published 13 July 2026 · SFP Pulse · Weekly Research</span>
> 86 organisations push for a stronger FP10 as Europe debates its next research budget, plus a new European Partnerships consultation and fresh calls to act on.
This week the future shape of EU research funding moved to the centre of the debate. A coalition of 86 research and industry organisations made a coordinated case for a stronger FP10 budget, just as the Commission opened a consultation on the next generation of European Partnerships. Alongside the policy signals, a live RFCS call, a new package of CERV DAPHNE topics and a full slate of September deadlines give applicants plenty to act on.
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86 organisations make the competitiveness case for stronger FP10 investment
On 7 July 2026, a coalition of 86 European research and industry associations published a joint declaration tying the size of Europe's next research budget directly to its productivity, industrial capability and ability to compete globally. Framed as a competitiveness argument, the signatories warn that trimming research investment now would be a false economy, at exactly the moment Europe is trying to close the innovation gap with the United States and China.
Their asks are specific. They want a larger overall FP10 allocation, stronger support for collaborative and industry-led research through Pillar II, and an unbroken line from early-stage research through to deployment and scale-up, connected into the new European Competitiveness Fund. The timing is deliberate. The previous Council presidency floated lowering the Commission's proposed €175 billion FP10 allocation by 4%, to €167.9 billion. That reduction was not agreed, and the Irish presidency is expected to reopen the figures in the autumn, so the declaration is an effort to shape the negotiating position before it hardens.
For applicants, the size of the envelope is not an abstraction. It determines how many collaborative calls open, how large future consortia can be, and how readily research moves from the lab toward commercial deployment. Universities, research and technology organisations, industry associations and partnership-heavy sectors all have a direct stake in where the numbers land. The practical takeaway is to follow the FP10 negotiations through the autumn and to build partnerships now, so consortia are ready to move as soon as the first calls are confirmed.
> 💶 Programme: FP10 (successor to Horizon Europe, 2028–2034) > > Proposed budget: €175B Commission allocation; a 4% reduction to €167.9B was proposed but not agreed > > Signatories: 86 European research and industry associations > > Declaration: 7 July 2026 > > Next: Irish Council presidency expected to revisit the figures in autumn 2026
> Sources: Joint declaration, EFFRA, Science|Business and Research Professional News
Research Fund for Coal and Steel reform adopted as 2026 calls stay open
The Council has adopted a reform of the Research Fund for Coal and Steel (RFCS), with new rules taking effect from 2027. The RFCS uses returns on the assets of the former European Coal and Steel Community to fund research across the steel and coal sectors, and the reform repositions it more firmly around the industrial transition: cleaner steelmaking, decarbonisation and dual-use industrial technologies.
For applicants, the key point is that the change does not disturb this year's window. The 2026 RFCS Annual Call and the Big Tickets Dual-Use Call both remain open, with a shared deadline of 16 September 2026. Organisations working on clean steel, industrial decarbonisation and dual-use industrial capability still have a live, well-funded opportunity, and the reform signals a programme on a modernisation path rather than a wind-down.
> 🏭 Programme: Research Fund for Coal and Steel (RFCS) > > Reform: New rules apply from 2027 > > Open calls: 2026 Annual Call and Big Tickets Dual-Use Call > > Deadline: 16 September 2026
> Source: European Research Executive Agency
Commission opens consultation on the next generation of European Partnerships
On 10 July 2026, the Commission launched a public consultation on the future of European Partnerships under the 2028–2034 period. If the FP10 declaration is about how much Europe invests in collaborative research, this consultation is about how that collaboration will be structured and governed.
It covers the full architecture of partnership funding: Joint Undertakings, Article 185 initiatives and the thematic priorities that will direct a significant share of future collaborative money. These structures channel billions over the life of a framework programme, so the design choices made now will shape which sectors get dedicated instruments and how open they are to new entrants. For organisations whose work depends on partnership structures, it is a rare chance to influence that design before it is fixed. Responses close on 16 October 2026.
Universities, RTOs, industry associations and any organisation active in a partnership-heavy field should consider responding, individually or through their networks. Shaping the framework now is far more effective than adapting to it later.
> 🗳️ Programme: European Partnerships, Horizon Europe 2028–2034 > > Launched: 10 July 2026 > > Scope: Joint Undertakings, Article 185 initiatives, thematic priorities > > Deadline: 16 October 2026
> Source: European Commission, Research and Innovation
REA confirms €742 million for 117 new Cluster 6 projects
The Research Executive Agency has confirmed €742 million for 117 new Horizon Europe Cluster 6 projects, one of the largest single funding announcements of the season. Cluster 6 covers food systems, the bioeconomy, natural resources, agriculture and the environment. The projects have now signed their grant agreements, with some already under way and others expected to begin in the coming months.
This is a results announcement rather than an open call, but it is one of the clearest signals available of where Cluster 6 money is actually flowing. The funded portfolio shows which themes, technologies and consortium models are winning support right now, which makes it a useful reference point for anyone shaping a future bid. Read alongside the calls still open this cycle, it helps applicants pitch into the areas evaluators are rewarding.
If food, bioeconomy or environmental innovation is your space, two Cluster 6 opportunities remain live: the textile-recycling call (CIRCBIO-02) featured below, and the bio-based innovation call (CIRCBIO-07) in Closing Soon, both with mid-September deadlines.
> 🌱 Programme: Horizon Europe, Cluster 6 > > Funding: €742M > > Selected: 117 projects > > Focus: Food, bioeconomy, natural resources, agriculture, environment
> Source: European Research Executive Agency
Featured Calls
These are the most popular calls on Discovery this week. Interested in pursuing any of these calls? Request a free concept note to find out how your organisation fits and what a winning proposal could look like.
> 🛰️ HORIZON-CL4-2026-SPACE-03-31: Digital enablers and building blocks for Earth Observation and satellite telecommunications > > Budget: €12M total, around 3 grants (€3M–€6M EU contribution per project) | Deadline: 3 September 2026 > > Programme: Horizon Europe, Research and Innovation Actions | Status: Open > > Thematic Areas: Digital & Industry, space data, Earth Observation, satellite telecommunications > > Fit signal: Suited to space technology companies, research organisations, data-platform developers and satellite communications consortia.
> 🔋 HORIZON-CL5-2026-09-D2-01: Sustainable production of battery-grade electrode materials > > Budget: €28.3M total, around 4 grants (~€7.1M EU contribution per project) | Deadline: 15 September 2026 > > Programme: Horizon Europe, Research and Innovation Actions | Status: Open > > Thematic Areas: Climate & Energy, batteries, critical raw materials, sustainable processing > > Fit signal: Strong fit for battery manufacturers, materials companies, recyclers, universities and industrial research consortia.
> ♻️ HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-CIRCBIO-02: Recycling mixed post-consumer textile waste from blended products > > Budget: €11M total, around 2 grants (€5M–€6M EU contribution per project) | Deadline: 17 September 2026 > > Programme: Horizon Europe, Innovation Actions | Status: Open > > Thematic Areas: Food & Environment, circular bioeconomy, textiles, recycling technologies > > Fit signal: Relevant to textile manufacturers, recyclers, materials innovators, technology providers and circular-economy research organisations.
> 💡 ERC-2026-POC: ERC Proof of Concept Grants > > Budget: €60M total, around 400 grants of €150,000 | Deadline: 17 September 2026 > > Programme: European Research Council, Proof of Concept Grants | Status: Open > > Thematic Areas: Thematic-agnostic, research commercialisation, social innovation, market readiness > > Fit signal: Restricted to eligible ERC Principal Investigators whose main ERC frontier-research grant is ongoing or ended on or after 1 January 2025. It supports testing the commercial or societal potential of ERC-funded research across any discipline.
New Calls This Week
5 new calls were added since the last SFP Pulse Edition. Want to browse and track these opportunities (and many more) in one place? Explore them on Discovery, our free personalised dashboard.
CERV DAPHNE 2026 (5 topics · €21M shared call envelope · all closing 3 November 2026):
CERV-2026-DAPHNE-PROTECTION ⇢ Protecting and supporting victims and survivors of gender-based violence
Deadline: 3 November 2026
CERV-2026-DAPHNE-PREVENTION ⇢ Preventing gender-based violence
Deadline: 3 November 2026
CERV-2026-DAPHNE-CONVENTION-DIR ⇢ Supporting the objectives of the Council of Europe Convention and the Directive on combating violence against women and domestic violence
Deadline: 3 November 2026
CERV-2026-DAPHNE-CHILDREN ⇢ Strengthening integrated child-protection systems
Deadline: 3 November 2026
CERV-2026-DAPHNE-REGRANTING ⇢ Supporting intermediary organisations working on gender-based violence and violence against children
Deadline: 3 November 2026
Chips JU reminder: semiconductor calls now open
The semiconductor calls highlighted in last week's Pulse are now open, with deadlines running from 16 to 30 September 2026. The wider package covers areas including AI compute infrastructure, power electronics, photonics, 6G systems, chip-design skills and international semiconductor cooperation. Organisations considering these opportunities should now be checking topic fit, national co-funding requirements and consortium readiness. Track the calls through SFP Discovery.
Calls Opening This Week
Stay ahead of new opportunities as they open. Sign up to Discovery for real-time alerts and curated recommendations.
PPPA-2026-REGIONAL-SUBMARINE-ISM-CABLE-HUBS ⇢ Integrated Surveillance mechanism: Regional Cable hubs - opens Tue 14 Jul
Budget: €3.94M | Deadline: 8 October 2026
Closing Soon
These deadlines are approaching, but there's still enough runway to prepare a competitive proposal. Proposal Builder gives you senior co-authoring and expert EU funding support through to submission.
RENEWFM-2026-INVEST-TECH-SPEC: Renewable energy financing mechanism, technology specific
Tuesday 1 September 2026
Wednesday 2 September 2026
Thursday 3 September 2026
HORIZON-CID-2026-01-02: Clean technologies for climate action
Tuesday 15 September 2026
HORIZON-EIC-2026-TRANSITIONOPEN: EIC Transition Open
Wednesday 16 September 2026
HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-CIRCBIO-07: Bio-based innovation through biotechnology and biomanufacturing
Thursday 17 September 2026
Open Consultations and Calls for Input
High-risk AI classification guidelines
The Commission is seeking feedback on draft guidance for classifying high-risk AI systems under the AI Act. The consultation is relevant to AI developers, deployers, research organisations and public authorities, and closes on 23 July 2026.
Ocean and Water Research and Innovation Strategy
Two calls for evidence are helping shape future priorities for ocean technologies, the blue economy, freshwater systems and water resilience. Both close on 2 August 2026.
RAISE High-Level Academic Advisory Board
Scientists researching AI or using AI in research can apply to join the board advising on the AI in Science Strategy and the development of RAISE. Applications close on 4 September 2026.
Upcoming Events
Upcoming events relevant to EU funding and innovation.
AI Act workshop on external evaluators of GPAI models with systemic risk ⇢ Session on the role and selection of external evaluators for general-purpose AI models with systemic risk
Date: Wednesday 15 July 2026 | Location: Online
EIT Health calls information webinar ⇢ Webinar on four new EIT Health calls including the Transformative Healthcare Instrument 2026
Date: Wednesday 15 July 2026 | Location: Online
WIDERA Hop-on Facility webinar ⇢ Introductory session for Widening-country organisations joining ongoing Horizon Europe Pillar II or EIC Pathfinder projects
Date: Monday 20 July 2026 | Location: Online
From Lab to Market workshop ⇢ Technology transfer and knowledge valorisation proposal-development workshop
Date: Wednesday 22 July 2026 | Location: Istanbul
ERC Starting and Consolidator Grant 2027 info event ⇢ Online information event on the ERC Starting and Consolidator Grant 2027 calls
Date: Tuesday 28 July 2026 | Location: Online
Youth-driven social media platforms call information session ⇢ Information session for the youth-driven social media platforms call, no registration required
Date: Thursday 30 July 2026 | Location: Online
Stay Ahead
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