Horizon Europe 2028-2034 moves forward: what the Council of the EU’s position tells us
The future of European research and innovation is beginning to take shape. The Council of the European Union has agreed its partial negotiating position on Horizon Europe 2028-2034, the next EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation.
This is an important step within the negotiations on the next Multiannual Financial Framework, which will cover the period 2028-2034. However, the process remains open: the Council’s position is partial because it does not cover financial and horizontal issues, including the programme’s final budget, which will be decided as part of the broader MFF negotiations.
Even so, the agreement already offers some clear signals about the possible direction of European R&I policy in the coming years. For those working on European projects, these signals matter. Preparing a strong proposal does not begin when a call is published. It starts much earlier: by understanding where Europe is heading, which priorities are becoming consolidated, and how scientific excellence, competitiveness, impact and major societal challenges will be connected.
A programme focused on scientific excellence
According to the Council’s position, Horizon Europe 2028-2034 will remain a key instrument to promote scientific excellence, strengthen economic competitiveness and respond to major social and global challenges.
One of the most relevant elements is its connection with the future European Competitiveness Fund, designed to provide a more integrated investment pathway. This reflects an increasingly visible trend in European policy: research and innovation are not understood only as a way to generate knowledge, but also as levers to strengthen Europe’s strategic autonomy, resilience and industrial capacity.
For future consortia, this means designing proposals that can explain not only what knowledge or technology they aim to develop, but also how they can contribute to value chains, European capacities, sustainability, uptake, scalability and impact.
European Partnerships, research security and support for innovation
The Council’s position also introduces improvements and additional safeguards in areas such as European Partnerships, research security and support for innovation, including possible dual-use and defence applications. It also reinforces horizontal principles such as gender equality, simplification for beneficiaries and broader, more diverse collaboration across the Union.
Another important aspect is the role of Member States in defining strategic priorities. The Council’s position seeks to strengthen their participation in the prioritisation process, especially in relation to European Partnerships.
These signals point to a programme that will continue to place scientific excellence at its core, while requiring proposals to be increasingly connected with strategic priorities, effective collaboration, security, impact and implementation capacity.
Kveloce’s preparation as European project specialists
For Kveloce, closely following the evolution of the next Framework Programme is an essential part of our work as specialists in European project proposals.
Our support is not limited to the technical writing of proposals. It also involves interpreting priorities, analysing European narratives, identifying collaboration opportunities and helping to build projects that are coherent with the political, scientific and social context in which they will be evaluated.
In an increasingly competitive environment, anticipating these signals can make a difference. It allows project ideas to be prepared with a longer-term perspective, consortia to be better positioned, and proposals to be connected from the outset with the priorities that are taking shape at European level.
From European Union priorities to proposals with impact
Horizon Europe 2028-2034 will remain a key space for funding high-level research and innovation. But it will also require proposals that can clearly explain why they matter, who they benefit, how they will be implemented and what contribution they can make to the strategic objectives of the European Union.
At Kveloce, we will continue to follow the development of the new Framework Programme and the opportunities it will open for universities, research centres, companies, public administrations and international consortia.
Because building strong European proposals is not only about responding to a call. It is about understanding the moment, anticipating the context and turning good ideas into projects with real impact.
