EU research funds to be doubled

€100 billion for 2014-2020 / EU''s competitiveness to be strengthened / EP Industry & Research Committee on Research Framework Programme

EU funds for research should be doubled to €100 billion in the coming EU financial period. This is the key priority for the European Parliament''s Committee on Industry, Research and Energy. MEPs endorsed a Report on the mid-term review of the current EU Research Framework Programme. "Today''s vote marks the opening of the negotiations on the future Research Framework Programme. We have sent a clear signal that Europe can only meet its 2020 Strategy goals if it substantially increases the funds for European research", said Christian Ehler MEP, who is in charge of the dossier in the EPP Group.

The committee unanimously endorsed Ehler''s amendment to double the research budget from €52 billion during the current 2007-2013 financial period to €100 billion for the coming 2014-2020 financial period.

"If Parliament, the Commission and Member States want to avoid the failure of the Europe 2020 Strategy and if Europe wants to keep up with the US, China and India, we need to talk about a figure of €100 billion for the coming research budget", Ehler said.

"Member States have continuosly extended the EU''s tasks such as further building up renewable energies and enhancing the projects ITER, GALILEO and GMES. Not to prioritise in the EU budget and not to substantially increase the funds for research and innovation would mean de-facto cuts of the programmes. This is why Parliament expects support for its call from Member States and Commission President Barroso", said the CDU MEP.