Member states ‘lining pockets at expense of research’

MEP Christian Ehler blasts EU Council’s attempt to block reuse of unspent research funds

A high-profile member of the European Parliament has accused EU member states of seeking to “line national pockets” in a debate about what should be done with unspent money earmarked for research.

The European Parliament wants €836 million of unspent R&D grant money put back into research projects in 2023. The Council of the EU, made up of member state ministers, is opposed to this, and believes a previous ‘joint declaration’ agreement means only €500m could be spent in total in this way between 2021 and 2027.