DFG President Katja Becker met with members of the European Parliament’s Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) and representatives of European research organisations in Brussels on 27 February to discuss the future shape of the next EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (FP10, 2028–2034). The parliamentary breakfast was hosted by MEP Lina Gálvez and organised by Science Europe, the association of 40 European research and funding organisations, on whose Governing Board Becker has served since November 2025.

The exchange came at a pivotal moment, as the European Parliament is in the process of defining its position on the European Commission’s proposals for the next Framework Programme. Science Europe had prepared a set of proposed amendments(externer Link) to the Commission drafts, which were presented to the participating Members of Parliament. Among them were the rapporteurs for the two regulations central to FP10, Christian Ehler and René Repasi.

In the discussion, President Becker highlighted in particular the joint recommendations on FP10(Download) put forward in December 2025 by the DFG, the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK) and the Leibniz Association. At their core, these recommendations call for the future Framework Programme to be firmly anchored in research excellence, underpinned by reliable funding structures and designed to support strong collaborative research. They also identify key shortcomings in the Commission’s current proposals and set out areas where adjustments are needed as the legislative process moves forward.

A central issue is how to operationalise the close link envisaged by the Commission between FP10 and the new European Competitiveness Fund (ECF). From the DFG’s perspective, the two instruments must be aligned in a way that allows each to fulfil its distinct function – funding excellent research on the one hand and strengthening Europe’s competitiveness on the other – while ensuring that they complement one another effectively.

The overall performance of FP10 will depend in no small part on its financial envelope. Against the backdrop of persistently high oversubscription rates in key funding schemes and intensifying global competition for talent and research outputs, the DFG sees a clear need for additional, predictable funding. This applies in particular to internationally recognised instruments such as the European Research Council (ERC) and the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), whose success rests on strictly science-driven procedures and institutional independence. Safeguarding the autonomy of the ERC – especially its Scientific Council and its President – remains a key priority.

Turning to the programme’s second pillar, the DFG also underscored the central role of collaborative research. European collaborative projects have long formed the backbone of the European Research Area, bringing together universities, non-university research institutions and industry partners across borders. Ensuring sufficient room for exploratory and pre-competitive collaboration based on bottom-up approaches will remain essential to enabling new scientific insights and technological breakthroughs.

In addition, the DFG sees a need for further clarification in several areas of the legislative proposals. These include transparent provisions for research with dual-use potential, a coherent strategy for the funding of European research infrastructures and a balanced approach to strengthening participation from “Widening” countries, as well as to the association of international partners.

Meanwhile, rapporteurs Christian Ehler and René Repasi have presented draft reports on the respective legislative files, incorporating proposals put forward by President Becker and Science Europe. These reports will form the basis of the European Parliament’s position in the upcoming trilogue negotiations with the Council and the Commission, marking an important step in the legislative process for FP10.