The Rectors’ Council of the French-speaking universities of Belgium (CRef) fully endorses the open letter published by The Guild and LERU, which underscores the critical importance of an ambitious, standalone and excellence-driven framework programme for research and innovation (R&I). This letter serves as a timely and essential call to reaffirm the European Union’s commitment to an independent R&I framework programme to foster long-term research and innovation capacities across Europe.
CRef shares the necessity to advocate for a bold vision for the next R&I framework programme (FP10). Securing a dedicated and substantially increased budget is imperative, ensuring that excellence remains the guiding principle across all its initiatives. This commitment is crucial to advancing research in key strategic areas such as complex technologies, health, life sciences and advanced materials. Additionally, it will support the climate objectives while strengthening societal and democratic resilience.
CRef also supports the expansion of the European Research Council, the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, and the European Innovation Council, emphasising the need to preserve their bottom-up approach and autonomy. We stress the importance of sustaining and promoting pre-competitive collaborative research across borders and disciplines, leveraging scientific excellence to drive breakthrough innovations that will bolster European competitiveness.
Given the current geopolitical landscape, CRef highlights the role of international collaboration and scientific diplomacy as cornerstones of the EU’s R&I policy. Strengthening partnerships with key global players such as the European Economic Area, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Japan, Canada and allies from the Global South, will be vital in addressing shared global challenges and securing Europe’s position as leader in research and innovation.
