Aachen: Parliament’s rapporteurs have reached a deal on the next research programme and demand a Horizon Europe budget of €200 billion for 2028 to 2034, Science|Business reported on 19 October 2026. Christian Ehler of the EPP and René Repasi of the Social Democrats struck the agreement at shadow rapporteur level and called it the first important milestone in the negotiations.

The Horizon Europe budget figure puts Parliament far above the other institutions. The gap between Parliament and the Council therefore stands at €42 billion. The Commission proposed €175 billion in current prices, and the latest Council negotiating figure stands at €158 billion. Ehler noted that the economist Mario Draghi was the only source to recommend a specific budget for the programme, and that Parliament’s position follows his call for €200 billion.

Within the Horizon Europe budget, the rapporteurs would give more money to fundamental and collaborative research. They propose to ring-fence €36 billion for the European Research Council and €32 billion for the European Innovation Council. That protection matters because researchers fear that a larger competitiveness agenda could squeeze open-ended science.

Structure causes the sharpest dispute over the Horizon Europe budget. The Commission wants to fold parts of collaborative research into the European Competitiveness Fund, but the rapporteurs would keep the second pillar of Horizon Europe outside it. Independent experts would lead the pillar’s implementation, while policymakers would keep control of priorities. Other contested issues include expert councils, dual-use research and long-term funding for science laboratories.

Governments have not caught up. Ministers have only partially agreed their position, and many key political questions remain open. Ehler said the Council must first settle the excellence principle, the programme structure, widening participation, funding rates and the relationship between the competitiveness fund and Horizon Europe before talks can move forward.

The calendar is tight. The research committee votes on 10 November, and the plenary vote is scheduled for 23 November. Heads of government meet on 26 and 27 November to resolve budget disagreements, and they aim for a final budget deal on 17 and 18 December. Trilogue negotiations cannot start until the Council has a position on the overall budget.

For universities and research institutes, the outcome will shape grant success rates for the next decade. A higher Horizon Europe budget would let more excellent proposals win funding, while a lower one would sharpen competition and push more teams out. The coming weeks will show whether Parliament’s €200 billion demand is a negotiating opening or a figure that governments will take seriously.