Altiero Spinelli: Parliament’s lead negotiators on Horizon Europe 2028-2034 have reached a deal ahead of a vote in November 2026, according to Science|Business, but the money behind the programme remains unsettled. The Commission proposed 175 billion euros for the seven-year programme, known as FP10, while MEP Christian Ehler asked for 220 billion euros in his March draft report.

Two rapporteurs run the files. Ehler leads the regulation establishing Horizon Europe, and René Repasi leads the Council decision on the Specific Programme. The industry committee published their draft reports on 16 March 2026 and gave MEPs until 9 April to table amendments. Science|Business reports that MEPs have kept the content of the final deal under wraps.

The March drafts show what a Parliament majority may defend in Horizon Europe 2028-2034. Ehler wants FP10 to be a fully self-standing programme instead of a part of the European Competitiveness Fund, with stronger protection for academic freedom and the autonomy of the European Research Council. Repasi wants the implementing programme kept strictly limited to its implementing function and suggests exploring a fully independent ERC agency.

The Council moved first on the structure of Horizon Europe 2028-2034. It agreed a partial negotiating position on 26 June 2026 that keeps European Partnerships, based on a tripartite model with the EU, member states or regions and private actors. Partnerships would launch their final calls before 31 December 2034. The Council text adds that the final budget and detailed rules depend on the overall 2028-2034 budget agreement, and that financial and horizontal issues remain under discussion.

Horizon Europe 2028-2034 therefore runs on two tracks: structure and money. Parliament and the Council can narrow their gaps on partnerships, governance and the ERC, but neither can fix the envelope until leaders settle the long-term EU budget. That sequence leaves the November vote as a statement of Parliament’s priorities rather than a final price tag.

Universities are watching Horizon Europe 2028-2034 closely. CESAER, which represents science and technology universities, said the March proposals moved in the right direction. LERU, the league of research universities, called Ehler’s report an unequivocal tribute to the ERC but flagged a missing vision on defence research and no fast track for UK and Swiss association. The Commission explains the current programme on its Horizon Europe page, and the Council’s partial position sets out the partnership rules.

After the November vote, Parliament and the Council still need to open talks on the final text. The question for researchers is whether Horizon Europe 2028-2034 arrives with a budget close to 175 billion euros or closer to the 220 billion euros that Ehler wants.