Europe has lost its leading role in research and development - this is the conclusion of an open letter to EU leaders signed by 32 leading European science academies. The letter was written on the initiative of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (OeAW) and its President Heinz Faßmann. It refers to the report “Align, Act, Accelerate” from 2024, which makes recommendations for the next research framework program (“FP 10”) and to which Faßmann has contributed.

Specifically, the academies make three demands:

• The creation of a “comprehensive and strong research framework program” to strengthen Europe's competitiveness and resilience.
• Substantial funding of the Framework Program 2028 to 2034 of 220 billion euros.
• The establishment of mechanisms at EU level to encourage individual nation states to invest in research and development.

OeAW President Faßmann says: “Europe must wake up. That has become clear, at least since US President Trump has taken office. We can no longer rely on others. In order not to fall behind even further, we need a clear European commitment to research and development, as well as sufficient funding. This is what the leading European science academies stand for.”

The letter was sent to the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, the Commissioner for Budget, Anti-Fraud and Public Administration, Piotr Serafin, the Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation, Ekaterina Zaharieva and the President of the European Council António Costa.