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On 5 November 2024, the European Parliament's Industry, Energy and Research (ITRE) Committee confirmed Ekaterina Zaharieva as EU Commissioner for Start-ups, Research and Innovation. After a three-hour hearing, MEPs approved the appointment of the Bulgarian politician. Zaharieva presented her goals for the next five years: more money for research, a drastic cut in red tape and better conditions for start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises.

The European Innovation Council (EIC), part of the EU research and innovation programme Horizon Europe, will support European deep tech research and high-potential start-ups with €1.4 billion next year. The EIC Work Programme 2025, which the Commission adopted today, represents an increase of nearly €200 million in comparison with 2024.

With the successor to the current "Horizon Europe" programme due to start in 2028, and eight stakeholders from Germany have set out their recommendations for the EU‘s 10th Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (FP10). The result: a clear consensus on the necessary budget, but also some differences on other aspects.

More excellent research, impactful innovation and technology scale-ups are needed to make Europe more globally competitive, secure and sustainable. These are among the twelve expert recommendations presented today to the Commission to strengthen Horizon Europe, the EU research and innovation programme, and its successor.

On 17 September, re-elected EU Commission President von der Leyen announced the names and allocated policy portfolios who will form the next College of EU Commissioners. Ekaterina Zaharieva (a Bulgarian MP and former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs) has been entrusted with a portfolio named “Startups, Research and Innovation”, which she will oversee under the guidance of two Executive Vice-Presidents (for prosperity & industrial strategy; and tech sovereignty, security and democracy).

The European Union, its Member States and countries associated to its research and innovation programme, Horizon Europe, have joined forces in a new European Partnership on Rare Diseases (ERDERA). Launched under Horizon Europe, ERDERA’s aim is to transform the landscape of rare disease research across the continent and deliver significant health benefits to the estimated over 30 million people in Europe affected by rare diseases through improved prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

On 10 September 2024, the European Commission signed a Memorandum of Understanding with SPACE AISBL - the partnership association representing space actors across Europe - for the co-programmed European Partnership for Globally Competitive Space Systems.

On 9 September, Mario Draghi, former President of the European Central Bank, presented his long-awaited report on the future of European competitiveness. Consisting of two parts (Part A: A competitiveness strategy for Europe; Part B: In-depth analysis and recommendations), the report identifies three main areas where urgent action is needed to revitalise sustainable growth.

On 18-19 September 2024, the European Research Area Stakeholder Conference 2024 will take place in Brussels, organised by the European Commission, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, with the support of the Horizon Europe INSPIRING ERA project.

The prize is open to universities, higher education institutions, and other research performing organisations (public or private), established in an EU Member State or a Third Country associated to Horizon Europe. There are three categories open for submission: Sustainable, Newcomer and Inclusive. Deadline to apply is 16 October and each winner will receive a €100,000 prize. The Award was created under Horizon Europe to recognise the outstanding results achieved by academic and research organisations in the implementation of Gender Equality Plans.

Further information can be found here.

Source: EU Commission