Eighty-five leading European associations, including AENEAS, published a Joint Declaration on 7 July 2026 urging EU institutions to substantially boost funding for research, development and innovation in the next framework programme (FP10). The signatories, representing Europe’s key industrial and research stakeholders, warn that the continent faces widening productivity and innovation gaps compared to global rivals, echoing the Draghi Report on European Competitiveness. They argue that robust RD&I investment is critical for the green and digital transitions, technological sovereignty, and long-term resilience.

The declaration underscores the proven success of EU Framework Programmes in mobilising private capital, accelerating technology development, and enabling cross-border collaboration, but insists that maintaining current budget levels is insufficient. It calls for a significant increase in FP10 funding under the 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework, outlining three core recommendations: align the budget with ambitions set in the Draghi Report and the Competitiveness Compass; strengthen industry-driven collaborative research through a reinforced Pillar II to help public-private partnerships mature and deploy technologies; and support the full innovation continuum from fundamental research to industrial scale-up, ensuring tight synergies between FP10 and the European Competitiveness Fund to maximise industrial competitiveness.

AENEAS reaffirms the pivotal role of collaborative partnerships in translating research excellence into leadership, particularly in microelectronics and semiconductors. With EU budget negotiations underway, the signatories stress that decisions in the coming months will determine Europe’s capacity to innovate and compete, urging an ambitious, well-resourced FP10 to secure sustainable prosperity.

AENEAS has joined 85 other leading European associations in signing a Joint Declaration calling on EU Institutions to significantly strengthen investment in research, development and innovation (RD&I) through the next Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (FP10). The declaration, published on 7 July 2026, brings together organisations representing Europe’s key industrial, research and innovation stakeholders to advocate for a well-funded and ambitious FP10 that will reinforce Europe’s long-term competitiveness.

The joint statement comes at a pivotal moment for Europe. Echoing the findings of the Draghi Report on European Competitiveness, the signatories warn that Europe faces widening productivity and innovation gaps compared to other global economies. They stress that investing in research and innovation is essential not only for economic growth, but also for delivering the green and digital transitions, strengthening Europe’s technological sovereignty, and ensuring long-term resilience.

The declaration highlights the proven impact of the EU Framework Programmes in mobilising private investment, accelerating technology development, and fostering cross-border collaboration. It argues that maintaining the current level of investment would be insufficient to meet Europe’s ambitions and calls for a substantial increase in the FP10 budget under the 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework.

Among its key recommendations, the declaration urges EU Institutions to:

Significantly increase the FP10 budget in line with the ambitions outlined in the Draghi Report and the Competitiveness Compass.

Strengthen collaborative, industry-driven research and innovation through a reinforced Pillar II, enabling public-private partnerships to accelerate technology maturation and market deployment.

Support the entire innovation continuum, from fundamental research to deployment and industrial scale-up, while ensuring strong synergies between FP10 and the European Competitiveness Fund (ECF) to maximise Europe’s industrial competitiveness and resilience.

As a signatory, AENEAS reaffirms its commitment to ensuring that Europe’s collaborative research and innovation ecosystem remains a cornerstone of the continent’s competitiveness. Strong, industry-driven partnerships have consistently demonstrated their ability to translate research excellence into innovative technologies and industrial leadership, particularly in strategic sectors such as microelectronics and semiconductor technologies.

With discussions on the next EU budget now underway, the signatories emphasise that the decisions taken in the coming months will shape Europe’s ability to innovate, compete globally and secure sustainable economic prosperity for the years ahead. AENEAS stands alongside the signatory organisations in calling for an ambitious, well-resourced FP10 that delivers the investment Europe needs to remain at the forefront of innovation.

Read the Joint Declaration for a Bold FP10.

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