FP10 to Align Closely with European Competitiveness Fund

In a recent address, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen confirmed that the forthcoming Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (FP10) will remain a self-standing initiative, while being “tightly connected” to the upcoming European Competitiveness Fund. This strategic alignment aims to create a seamless flow from research to commercialisation, enhancing the EU’s industrial resilience and technological leadership.

The European Competitiveness Fund is anticipated to support critical technologies, industrial decarbonisation, and value chain autonomy. By linking FP10 to this fund, the Commission seeks to amplify the impact of research and innovation activities on Europe’s industrial competitiveness, ensuring that research outcomes more directly facilitate scale-up and market deployment.

EFFRA welcomes this integrated approach, recognising the importance of aligning upstream research with industrial needs, particularly amid the green and digital transitions. The emphasis on competitiveness, innovation ecosystems, and strategic technologies aligns closely with the objectives of the Made in Europe partnership and the broader manufacturing community.

In July 2024, EFFRA joined over 100 European associations in advocating for a significant increase in the FP10 budget, emphasising the critical role of collaborative research, development, and innovation (RD&I) in securing Europe’s industrial future . EFFRA’s Chairman, Olaf Pannenbäcker, highlighted the urgency of boosting R&D funding to maintain Europe’s global leadership in technology and manufacturing.

Furthermore, EFFRA supports the recommendations of the Partnership Knowledge Hub on European partnerships under FP10, underscoring the need for strategic orientation, simplified implementation, improved governance, increased flexibility, and enhanced international cooperation . These recommendations aim to build on the successes of existing partnerships, such as Made in Europe, and to strengthen Europe’s global leadership in advanced manufacturing.

EFFRA remains committed to collaborating with EU institutions to design and implement FP10, ensuring that Europe maintains its global innovation leadership. By investing in advanced manufacturing technologies and fostering collaboration between industry, research and technology organisations, academia, and governments, EFFRA aims to accelerate technological advancements and enhance the global standing of European manufacturing.