In the paper LERU sets out in detail its vision for the next Framework Programme (FP9) for Research and Innovation (R&I). LERU is a staunch supporter of the R&I FP which brings real added value to the EU and requests its budget be increased in the next MFF.

LERU considers the European Research Council (ERC), Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions (MSCA) and Collaborative R&I as the three cornerstones of a successful FP. ERC and MSCA should continue the successful path they have been following in FP7 and Horizon 2020 but need higher budgets. Regarding collaborative research and innovation, LERU proposes changes compared to Horizon 2020, but maintaining important characteristics such as the focus on interdisciplinary, intersectoral and international collaboration. The changes proposed relate to funding the whole innovation process, also early-stage collaborative research, engaging society at large in defining bottom-up broad topics or missions in the framework of the UN’s sustainable development goals. At the same time top-down calls on urgent challenges or complementary topics should be possible. LERU also proposes a different approach for Public-Public and Public-Private Partnerships, a process of ‘internalisation’ – keeping these partnerships inside the FP -instead of externalisation.

A solid evaluation process is crucially important for the FP and LERU also makes recommendations on how to optimise this process.  Next to funding research, the FP should stimulate innovation. Innovation instruments should be optimised and streamlined by the European Innovation Council and the EIT should play an important role.

LERU also makes a detailed recommendations on widening participation to the FP, where a focus should be on synergies with the Structural Funds, on Responsible Research and Innovation (including research integrity, ethics and gender), on open science, on research infrastructures and on the relation of the R&I FP with other EU funding programmes, in particular the EU’s defence research programme.

LERU presented the advice paper at a launch event in Brussels. Rewatch the live stream video.