Aurora Signs Open Letter to EU Leadership Calling for A Strong European Research & Innovation Policy and FP10

Aurora is co-signatory of the Open Letter on the next research and innovation (R&I) policy and programming period to European Commission President von der Leyen, European Parliament President Metsola, European Council President Costa, and Polish Prime Minister Tusk. As such, Aurora strongly supports the call for a powerful and ambitious R&I policy and R&I programme FP10. We emphasise the critical role of scientific excellence in Europe’s future competitiveness and call for increased investments in FP10. No national R&I programme can replace or match EU’s scientific excellence that is needed for Europe’s prosperity, economic growth and competitiveness, health, addressing societal challenges and geopolitical strength.

Main points in this Open Letter include:

1. Strengthening Europe’s capacity in complex technologies, health and life sciences, advanced materials, and democratic resilience through sustained research funding;
2. Maintaining the excellence principle at the core of FP10, ensuring the integrity of the programme and fostering groundbreaking ideas;
3. Expanding and safeguarding key research funding mechanisms such as the European Research Council (ERC) and Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) while reinforcing the autonomy of their governance structures;
4. Supporting an autonomous European Innovation Council (EIC) to help translate breakthrough knowledge into innovation and valorisation;
5. Enhancing international collaboration and science diplomacy, leveraging partnerships with closely associated countries and global allies to strengthen Europe’s research ecosystem; and
6. To achieve this, a substantially increased and ring-fenced budget for FP10 to support scientific excellence and societal advancement is needed.

Led by LERU and The Guild, this Open Letter is signed by more than 100 Presidents of European universities, and over 20 networks and national rectors conferences. Read the full Open Letter and support the call for a strong European Research & Innovation policy and FP10.