Berlin, Germany · 16 January 2026 — Germany's Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) has published a detailed position paper on the European Union's tenth Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (FP10), setting out Berlin's negotiating priorities for the successor to Horizon Europe. The paper, released on 16 January 2026, comes six months after the European Commission formally presented its FP10 proposal on 16 July 2025, which earmarked €175 billion for the 2028–2034 programme period.
The German position arrives at a critical juncture in the Council negotiations. FP10 is being negotiated alongside the broader Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028–2034, and its final budget remains subject to political bargaining among member states. The German intervention signals Berlin's determination to shape the programme's architecture before the Council reaches a consolidated position.
A Standalone Programme with Clear Priorities
The European Commission's July 2025 proposal envisions FP10 as a standalone framework programme — not absorbed into the new European Competitiveness Fund (ECF), though closely interlinked with it. The ECF, proposed at €409 billion total, is designed to align with FP10's innovation pillar. The Commission has proposed a four-pillar structure for FP10: Excellent Science; Competitiveness and Society; Innovation; and the European Research Area (ERA).
Germany's position paper endorses this standalone character while insisting on specific design principles. The Federal Government states that Europe should remain a leader in research and innovation, and that achieving this requires reliable structures, strong partnerships, and scope for excellent ideas.
Key Demands from Berlin
The German position paper outlines several specific objectives for the design of FP10:
- Targeted support for the best ideas and talents: Europe is to become even more attractive for international talent, which requires simple and clear rules.
- Easier and more effective European cooperation: FP10 and national funding strategies are to be complementary to a greater extent, reducing duplication and fragmentation.
- Collaborative research at the core: European collaborative research should remain at the core of the Framework Programme and be closely linked to the European Competitiveness Fund.
- Transfer into practice: Research results are to be applied to a greater extent, with the interface between FP10 and the ECF designed to foster European competitiveness, productivity, sustainability, and resilience.
- Protecting the ERC and MSCA: The European Research Council (ERC) and the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) should remain independent and strong, described by Berlin as international symbols of scientific freedom and excellent research.
- Start-up support: The European Innovation Council (EIC) is to provide even more targeted support for young, research-driven companies.
- Openness to third countries: The programme should continue to be as open as possible to third-country researchers, with clear and reliable rules governing research security.
Opening Towards Dual-Use Research
In a notable departure from previous Framework Programme positions, the German government explicitly advocates opening FP10 for projects that may lead to both civil and security-relevant applications. The position paper states that, in view of the current geopolitical situation, synergy between civil and military research should be leveraged without losing sight of the focus on European values, sustainability, and societal impact.
Budget Context: From €95.5 Billion to €175 Billion
The proposed €175 billion budget for FP10 represents a substantial nominal increase compared to the current Horizon Europe programme (2021–2027), which started with €95.5 billion. However, the final figure remains uncertain. During ongoing MFF negotiations, the Cypriot Presidency has suggested a possible reduction to approximately €167.9 billion. The Council reached a partial general approach in June 2026, solidifying several governance and structural positions, though budget-related items remain part of the broader, unsettled MFF negotiations.
| Programme | Period | Proposed Budget | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Horizon Europe (FP9) | 2021–2027 | €95.5 billion | Active |
| FP10 (Commission proposal) | 2028–2034 | €175 billion | Under negotiation |
| FP10 (Cypriot Presidency suggestion) | 2028–2034 | ~€167.9 billion | Under discussion |
| European Competitiveness Fund | 2028–2034 | €409 billion (total) | Under negotiation |
Germany's High-Tech Agenda as National Anchor
The position paper references the High-Tech Agenda Germany (HTAD), adopted in summer 2025, which defines strong goals at the national level and is in the process of implementation. The Federal Government notes that many of these national priorities correspond to the EU's priorities, and that FP10 is expected to help make joint progress in that respect. This alignment between national and European research strategies is presented as a model for how member states can complement rather than duplicate EU-level funding.
The Stakes for European Research
FP10 will be the largest transnational research funding programme in the world when it launches on 1 January 2028. Its design will determine how European researchers collaborate across borders, how innovation is translated into marketable products, and how the EU positions itself in the global competition for scientific talent — particularly vis-à-vis the United States and China.
The negotiations are taking place against a backdrop of significant disruption to the US research funding landscape, where the National Science Foundation experienced workforce reductions of approximately 18.3% between September 2024 and October 2025 and faced proposed budget cuts of up to 55%. For European policymakers, the US turbulence has underscored the strategic importance of a well-funded, stable, and attractive European research framework.
What Comes Next
Negotiations between the Council of the European Union, the European Parliament, and the European Commission are ongoing. The Council's partial general approach in June 2026 settled several governance and structural questions, but the budget — the most contentious element — remains tied to the broader MFF negotiations. Germany's position paper adds a significant voice to the Council debate, and its emphasis on scientific excellence, dual-use opening, and protecting frontier research institutions will likely influence the final compromise.
For the research community, the key question is whether the political will exists to match the ambition of the Commission's €175 billion proposal — or whether fiscal pressures will force a retreat to a lower figure that, while still an increase over Horizon Europe, may fall short of what is needed to maintain Europe's competitive position in global science.
Sources:
- BMFTR, Taking a stand for strong European research from 2028, 16 January 2026 —
- BMFTR, Position Paper: Horizon Europe 2028–2034 —
- DAAD Brussels, European Commission Proposes Stand-Alone FP10 with a Volume of €175 Billion, 29 July 2025 —
- ERA Portal Austria, Germany presents comprehensive position on FP10 —
- Martel Innovate, EU Council FP10: Horizon Europe 2028–2034, 30 June 2026 —
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