Read the conclusions from the February Competitiveness Council

The Council of the EU approved the reform of the Research Fund package, ministers discussed the ECF and the Horizon Europe 2028–2034.

On February 27, 2026, the Competitiveness Council, focusing on research, met in Brussels. At the meeting, ministers discussed the Council’s position on the Research Fund for Coal and Steel and the preparation of the budget for the Horizon Europe framework program for the period 2028–2034. Discussions also covered the upcoming European Competitiveness Fund (ECF), its link to the Horizon Europe program, European partnerships, and support for international research and development cooperation within the current geopolitical context.

At the start of the meeting, Ekaterina Zaharieva, European Commissioner for Startups, Research, and Innovation, delivered a speech. In her remarks, she identified research and innovation, which are the foundation of competitiveness, as a European priority to strengthen Europe's position in the world.

Among the outcomes of the meeting is the Council’s approved position on the package reforming the Research Fund for Coal and Steel. Its aim is to create a cleaner, more competitive steel and coal industry and to support a green and just transition. The proposals to revise the legal framework of the Research Fund for Coal and Steel aim to support decarbonization and the transition to clean energy in these sectors while strengthening Europe’s competitiveness. The revision aligns the Fund’s objectives with EU policies such as the Competitiveness Compass, the Clean Industry Deal, and the European Action Plan for Steel and Metals, all of which emphasise the need for decarbonization.

The Council’s agreement extends the program until 2034 (instead of the 2030 deadline originally proposed by the European Commission) and evenly distributes annual investments of up to 120 million euros. Furthermore, it increases co-financing rates in line with the Horizon Europe program, under which industry participants can receive up to 70% of EU funding, and SMEs, startups, and academic institutions can receive up to 100%. These changes are intended to increase the Fund’s attractiveness while preparing it for future integration with other EU programs (such as the Innovation Fund or the Horizon Europe program). The next steps in adopting the reformed legal framework for the Research Fund for Coal and Steel require, in one case, the European Parliament’s (EP) consent to the Council’s decision, and, in the other, consultation with the European Parliament. The Council will vote once the European Parliament’s procedural steps have been completed. Once the reform is adopted and published in the Official Journal of the EU, it should enter into force in January 2027.

The second part of the meeting was a discussion on the 10th Framework Program for Research and Innovation, Horizon Europe (FP10), for the period 2028–2034. Ministers discussed key outstanding issues regarding the legislative framework with the aim of reaching a partial general approach at the next meeting of the Competitiveness Council, scheduled for late May 2026. The proposals presented primarily concerned the link between the newly established European Competitiveness Fund and the Horizon Europe program. The future of European partnerships and the funding of research and technology infrastructures were also addressed. Questions were raised about research security, dual-use research, and defence-related research. Ministers emphasised the need to discuss certain aspects of the FP10 proposal, including its level of ambition. The program should not only maintain Europe’s leading position in science but also strengthen its technological edge and deliver tangible benefits for citizens and businesses.

The third part of the meeting focused on international cooperation in research and development within the current geopolitical context. Ministers discussed support for excellence and international cooperation, emphasising the need for international agreements and for third countries to be associated with FP10. The Horizon Europe program was identified as a strategic tool essential for strengthening scientific and technological capacities, increasing competitiveness, attracting and retaining talent, creating an environment conducive to startups, and supporting European social, economic, and geopolitical priorities.  

The final part of the meeting was open to further proposals and comments, which delegations from several countries (Austria, Croatia, France, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, and Spain) took advantage of. They presented a proposal to simplify and shorten the process for setting research and innovation priorities, and to deepen discussions on the interconnection between FP10 and the ECF.