MFF 2028-2034: €2 trillion budget fight begins

The Cyprus presidency has released initial spending figures for the EU's Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028-2034, kicking off negotiations for a proposed €2 trillion budget. These early discussions will shape the bloc’s investment priorities across all sectors, with significant implications for fundamental research and innovation.

The next MFF will determine the scale and direction of EU funding programmes, including those supporting breakthrough innovation. Current projects, such as BTI, which analyzes R&D policy design and the drivers of breakthrough innovation, highlight the ongoing focus on advancing Europe's research capabilities. Similarly, initiatives like SI-Mission-Facility demonstrate how current funding frameworks support social innovation and engage R&I policymakers at multiple levels, indicating areas likely to seek continued or increased support.

Negotiations are anticipated to be complex, balancing competing demands and strategic objectives. Reports indicate challenges in current EU funding allocation, with a recent analysis showing that only 1% of €61 billion in state aid approved under the Clean Industrial Deal went to cleaning up industry, as highlighted by the trend "Capitals overlook dirty factories in EU-approved subsidies bonanza". Such findings underscore the pressures on the MFF to deliver on environmental and industrial policy goals, which will inevitably influence the share of the budget allocated to pure research.

The outcome of these budget talks will be crucial for the future of European research infrastructure, collaborative projects, and the EU's ability to foster innovation and maintain global competitiveness in critical fields. The focus on strategic autonomy and green technologies is expected to feature prominently, potentially directing research funding towards specific, mission-oriented objectives.

What this means: The initial €2 trillion budget proposal signals the start of intense political bargaining that will redefine the EU's financial landscape and directly impact the scope and ambition of future research and innovation funding.