EU budget decried as ‘dangerous’ by MEPs sets up tense summer

Researchers pin hopes on Parliament forcing increase in research and education funding

Research organisations and universities have been left “hugely disappointed” by an EU budget thrashed out by national leaders. They are now in for a nervous summer ahead of showdown talks when politicians return from their August holidays.

After four days of tough negotiations in Brussels, the European Council agreed on 21 July to set the 2021-27 allocations for the EU’s Horizon Europe R&D and Erasmus+ mobility programmes at €80.9 billion and €21.2bn in 2018 prices respectively. In May, the Commission suggested €94.4bn and €24.6bn for them.