Artikelen bij COM(2025)544 - Establishing the Specific Programme implementing Horizon Europe - the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation for the period 2028-2034, laying down the rules for participation and dissemination under that Programme

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dossier COM(2025)544 - Establishing the Specific Programme implementing Horizon Europe - the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation for ...
document COM(2025)544 EN
datum 16 juli 2025


Chapter I

General Provisions

Inhoudsopgave

Article 1 - Subject matter

1.This Decision establishes the Specific Programme implementing Horizon Europe - the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation for the period of the multiannual financial framework (the ‘MFF’) 2028-2034 (the ‘Specific Programme’) as set out in Article 1 (2) point (a) of Regulation XXX [reference to the Horizon Europe Regulation].

2.This Decision lays down the budget of the Specific Programme for the period 2028-2034, the rules for implementation of the Specific Programme and the activities to be carried out under the Specific Programme.

3.The definitions, objectives, structure and budget of Horizon Europe - the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation set out in Regulation XXX [reference to the Horizon Europe Regulation] also apply to the Specific Programme. 

Article 2 - Operational objectives

1.The Specific Programme shall contribute to the general and specific objectives set out in Article 3 of Regulation XXX [reference to the Horizon Europe Regulation](.

2.The Specific Programme has the following operational objectives:

(a)foster the production of high-quality scientific research and world-leading research institutions;

(b)support the mobility and training and career development of researchers;

(c)attract and retain excellent researchers in Europe;

(d)foster collaboration and multidisciplinarity, including with Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) to generate new knowledge;

(e)enhance knowledge valorisation;

(f)connect and develop research and technology infrastructures across the European Research Area (ERA) to provide transnational access;

(g)support the creation and scale-up of deep tech and innovative start-ups;

(h)foster technology uptake and demonstration of disruptive innovation;

(i)increasing the participation of research organisation from the widening countries and transition countries referred to in Article 19 of Regulation XXX [reference to the Horizon Europe Regulation] ;

(j)foster open science and ensure visibility to the public and open access to results where possible.

3.The Specific Programme shall also address collaborative research activities under the policy windows of the European Competitiveness Fund.

Article 3 - Budget

1.In accordance with Article 6(1) of Regulation XXX [reference to the Horizon Europe Regulation], the indicative financial envelope for the implementation of the Specific Programme for the period 2028 to 2034 is set at be EUR 175 002 000 000 in current prices.

2.The amount referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article shall be distributed among the parts as set out with Article 6(2) of Regulation XXX [reference to the Horizon Europe Regulation].

Article 4 - Work programmes

1.The Specific Programme shall be implemented by the work programmes referred to in paragraph 2 of this Article in accordance with Article 110 of Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509.    
Without prejudice to the first subparagraph, the work programmes may in particular set out:

(a)actions and associated budget;

(b)eligibility and award criteria;

(c)a single co-financing rate per action;

(d)rules applicable to actions concerning more than one specific objective;

(e)actions to which specific rules apply, in particular on ownership of results, valorisation and dissemination, transfer and licensing as well as access rights to results.

2.The Commission shall adopt separate work programmes, by means of implementing acts, for the implementation of actions under the following components, as set out in Article 1(3):

(a)the European Research Council (ERC), for which the draft work programme shall be established by the ERC Scientific Council under Article 7(9)(a)(ii), in accordance with Article 18(3). The Commission shall depart from the draft work programme established by the ERC Scientific Council only in accordance with Article 7(4), second subparagraph; in that case, the Commission shall adopt the work programme by means of an implementing act in accordance with Article 18(4); the Commission shall duly motivate that;

(b)the European Innovation Council (EIC), for which the work programme shall be prepared following the advice of the EIC Board under Article 12(1)(b), in accordance with Article 18(4);

(c)Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), global societal challenges, EU Missions, New European Bauhaus Facility, innovation ecosystems, reforming and enhancing the European R&I system, research and technology infrastructures, widening participation and spreading excellence, in accordance with Article 18(4);

(d)the JRC, for which the multi-annual work programme shall take into account the opinion provided by the Board of Governors of the JRC referred to in Commission Decision 96/282/Euratom.

3.The research and innovation activities referred to under the policy windows described in Chapters IV to VII of Regulation XXX [reference to the European Competitiveness Fund Regulation]shall be included in a specific dedicated part of the work programmes implementing the corresponding specific objectives referred to in Article 3(2), points (a) to (d) of Regulation XXX [reference to the European Competitiveness Fund Regulation]. Those work programmes shall be adopted in accordance with Articles 15 and 84 of Regulation XXX [reference to the European Competitiveness Fund Regulation]. 

Article 5 - European Partnerships

1.European Partnerships shall follow a clear lifecycle approach, including their selection, implementation and monitoring, and transitioning out of Regulation XXX [reference to the Horizon Europe Regulation] on the basis of the following:

(a)European Partnerships shall be selected following a competitive, open, non-discriminatory, and transparent procedure, on the basis of areas proposed by the Commission. In addition the requirements set out in Article 11 of Regulation (EU) Regulation XXX [reference to the Horizon Europe Regulation], candidate partnerships shall comply with the following selection criteria:

I.portfolio relevance: overall consistency and coherence of the partnership portfolio shall be ensured, provided that candidates meet all selection criteria and demonstrate relevance as part of a strategic portfolio of actions;

II.critical mass: the partnerships’ budget (Union and partners’ contributions) shall match their duration, ensuring sufficient resources to fund at least one substantial call per year, each comparable in size to an average Horizon Europe call in the relevant thematic area;

III.partners’ composition: unless duly justified, the participation of public entities from at least five Member States and private entities representing substantial segments of their respective ecosystems is required, ensuring a broad and balanced involvement of key stakeholders;

IV.pan-European relevance: partnerships shall have pan-European relevance, reflected in a balanced geographic distribution of partners among Member States;

V.mission-orientation: partnerships shall formulate clear, measurable, time-bound objectives within the duration of Horizon Europe that will inform monitoring, assessment, and evaluation exercises;

VI.business plan: partners shall develop a business plan ex-ante, including a set of key performance indicators to track progress and a forward-looking transition strategy, including actions for phasing out from Horizon Europe funding;

VII.openness and transparency: partnerships shall demonstrate openness and transparency regarding the identification of priorities and objectives – including expected results and impacts – and the engagement of partners and stakeholders across the entire value chain and from diverse sectors, backgrounds, and disciplines, including relevant international ones without affecting European competitiveness;

VIII.legacy: in cases where candidate partnerships build on predecessor initiatives, the efficiency, effectiveness and impact of previous partnerships shall be demonstrated; 

IX.throughout their implementation, European Partnerships shall ensure:

X.internal transparent governance arrangements and internal rules, including codes of conduct, that ensure their functioning in an open and transparent manner; 

XI.continuous openness of the initiative through clear and transparent accession and exit criteria, including through open calls to potential new partner organisations

XII.flexibility through timely revisions of key documents such as the Strategic Research and Innovation Agendas (SRIAs) and transition strategies, adapted as necessary to ensure relevance and feasibility;

XIII.continuous monitoring shall include tracking progress towards a set of partnership-specific common indicators including partner contributions, cost efficiency, and openness to new partners. Partnership-specific common indicators shall build on the common indicators as defined under Regulation XXX [reference to Performance Regulation] and set out in the biennial monitoring reports on the performance of European partnerships under Horizon Europe 2021-2027;

XIV.European Partnerships shall launch their final calls before 31 December 2034. European Partnerships shall determine and implement the best mode of transition. Taking into account the transition strategies prepared ex-ante, partnerships shall undergo an independent assessment determining whether their objectives have been met, the suitability of the partnership approach, and their continued relevance for the Union’s policy priorities. This assessment should include a recommendation for the most effective policy intervention mode for any future actions.

(b)In the absence of renewal, European Partnerships shall implement appropriate measures based on their phasing-out actions identified in their transition strategies.


Chapter II

Excellent Science

Article 6 - European Research Council

1.The Commission shall establish a European Research Council (the ‘ERC’) to implement the actions under Part I ‘Excellent Science’ of Regulation XXX [reference to the Horizon Europe Regulation] which relate to the ERC. The ERC shall succeed the European Research Council set up by Council Decision (EU) 2021/764. 

2.The ERC shall be composed of the independent ERC Scientific Council provided for in Article 7 and the ERC dedicated implementation structure provided for in Article 8.

3.The ERC Scientific Council shall have a President (‘ERC President’) who shall be chosen from among senior and internationally respected scientists. 

4.The ERC President shall be appointed by the Commission following a transparent recruitment process involving an independent dedicated search committee. The recruitment process and the candidate selected shall have the approval of the ERC Scientific Council. The term of office of the ERC President shall be limited to two years, extendable once for up to two years.  

5.The ERC President shall chair the ERC Scientific Council and ensure the leadership of the ERC Scientific Council and its liaison with the ERC dedicated implementation structure and shall represent the ERC Scientific Council in the world of science.

6.The President shall be assisted by three Vice-Presidents chosen by the Scientific Council from among its members.

7.The ERC shall operate according to its core principles which are scientific excellence, open science, autonomy, efficiency, effectiveness, transparency, accountability and research integrity, while respecting the corporate policies of the European Commission. It shall ensure continuity with ERC actions conducted under Council Decision (EU) 2021/764.

8.Through its activities, the ERC shall support, in a bottom-up manner, frontier research carried out across all fields by principal investigators and their teams in competition at European level, including early-stage career researchers.

9.The Commission shall act as the guarantor of the autonomy and integrity of the ERC and shall ensure the proper execution of the tasks entrusted to it.

10.The Commission shall ensure that the implementation of ERC actions is in accordance with the principles set out in paragraph 7 of this Article as well as with the overall strategy for the ERC, referred to in Article 7(4)(a), established by the ERC Scientific Council.

Article 7 - ERC Scientific Council

1.The ERC Scientific Council shall be composed of 22 independent scientists, engineers and scholars of the highest repute and with the appropriate expertise, including both women and men in different age groups, and ensuring a diversity of research areas and a variety of geographical origins. They shall act in their personal capacity, independent of extraneous interests. The members of the ERC Scientific Council shall be appointed by the Commission, following an independent and transparent procedure for their identification agreed with the ERC Scientific Council, including an open consultation of the scientific community and a report to the European Parliament and the Council.

2.The term of office for members of the ERC Scientific Council shall be up to four years, extendable once by up to two years, based on a rotating system which shall ensure the continuity of the work of the ERC Scientific Council.

3.The ERC Scientific Council shall elect from amongst its members three Vice-Presidents who shall assist the ERC President in its representation and the organisation of its work. They shall hold the title of ERC Vice-President. The members of the ERC Scientific Council shall be compensated for the tasks they perform by means of an honorarium and, where appropriate, reimbursement of travel and subsistence expenses.

4.The ERC Scientific Council shall exercise its tasks solely and exclusively within the scope and for the purposes of the Specific Programme. In that context, it shall establish:

(a)the overall strategy for the ERC;

(b)the draft work programme for the implementation of the ERC activities;

(c)the methods and procedures for peer review and proposal evaluation on the basis of which the proposals to be funded are determined;

(d)its position on any matter which from a scientific perspective may enhance the achievements and impact of the ERC and the quality of the research carried out;

(e)a code of conduct covering, among other matters, the avoidance of conflicts of interest;

(f)the procedure for the election of the ERC Vice-Presidents.

The Commission shall depart from the positions established by the ERC Scientific Council in accordance with the first subparagraph only if it considers that this Decision has not been respected. In that case, the Commission shall adopt measures to maintain continuity in the implementation of the Specific Programme and the achievements of its objectives, setting out and duly motivating the points of departure from the ERC Scientific Council positions.

5.The ERC Scientific Council shall inform the Commission on research trends, data and any matter relevant for policy making and may perform analysis in this respect. 

6.The ERC Scientific Council and the Commission shall meet at least twice a year to have a broad and timely exchange of views in the context of the development of the ERC’s strategy and the Commission's policy making. 

7.The ERC Scientific Council is the guarantor of the quality of the activity from the scientific perspective and has full authority over decisions on the type of research to be funded. 

8.The ERC Scientific Council shall act exclusively in the interest of the ERC, according to the principles set out in Article 6(7). It shall act with integrity and probity and carry out its work efficiently and with the greatest possible transparency.

9.In the context of the implementation of the Specific Programme, and in order to carry out these tasks, the ERC Scientific Council shall do the following:

(a)as regards scientific strategy:

I.establish the overall scientific strategy for the ERC, in the light of scientific opportunities and European scientific needs;

II.establish the work programme and develop the ERC's mix of support measures in accordance with its scientific strategy;

III.establish the necessary international cooperation initiatives including outreach activities, to increase the visibility of the ERC for the best researchers from the rest of the world, in accordance with its scientific strategy;

(b)as regards scientific management, monitoring and quality control:

I.ensure a world-class peer review system based on scientific excellence and on fully transparent, fair and impartial treatment of proposals by establishing positions on the implementation and management of calls for proposals, evaluation criteria, peer review processes including the selection of experts, the methods for peer review and proposal evaluation and the necessary implementing rules and guidelines, on the basis of which the proposals to be funded will be determined under the supervision of the ERC Scientific Council;

II.make a proposal based on which experts shall be appointed in the case of ERC frontier research actions;

III.ensure that ERC grants are implemented according to simple and transparent procedures that maintain the focus on excellence, encourage initiative and combine flexibility with accountability by continuously monitoring the quality of the operations and implementation;

IV.review and assess the ERC's achievements and the quality and impact of the research funded by the ERC and make recommendations and guidelines for corrective or future actions accordingly;

V.establish positions on any other matter affecting the achievements and impact of the ERC's activities and the quality of the research carried out under this part of Horizon Europe.

(c)as regards communication and dissemination:

I.raise the global profile and visibility of the ERC by conducting communication and outreach activities, including scientific conferences, to promote the ERC's activities and achievements and the results of the projects funded by the ERC with the scientific community, key stakeholders and the general public;

II.where appropriate, consult with the scientific, engineering and academic community, regional and national research funding agencies and other stakeholders;

III.regularly report to the Commission on its own activities.

Article 8 - ERC dedicated implementation structure

1.The ERC dedicated implementation structure shall be responsible for the administrative implementation and execution of this component of the Specific Programme.  It shall, in particular, implement the evaluation procedures, peer review and selection process in accordance with the strategy established by the ERC Scientific Council and shall ensure the financial and scientific management of the grants. 

The ERC dedicated implementation structure shall support the ERC Scientific Council in the conduct of all of its tasks as set out in Article 7 including the development of its scientific strategy, its monitoring of the operations and its review and assessment of the ERC's achievements as well as its outreach and communications activities. The ERC dedicated implementation structure shall also provide access to the necessary documents and data in its possession and keep the ERC Scientific Council informed of its activities.

To ensure an effective liaison with the ERC dedicated implementation structure on strategy and operational matters, the leadership of the ERC Scientific Council and the Director of the ERC dedicated implementation structure shall hold regular coordination meetings.

2.The Commission shall ensure that the ERC dedicated implementation structure follows strictly, efficiently and with the necessary flexibility the objectives and requirements of the ERC alone. To fulfil its responsibilities as set out in Articles 6 and 7 and in this Article, in the context of its own responsibilities for budget execution, the Commission shall:

(a)ensure the continuity and renewal of the ERC Scientific Council and provide support for a standing Identification Committee for the identification of future ERC Scientific Council members;

(b)ensure the continuity of the ERC dedicated implementation structure and the delegation of tasks and responsibilities to it, taking into account the views of the ERC Scientific Council;

(c)ensure that the ERC dedicated implementation structure carries out the full range of its tasks and responsibilities;

(d)appoint the Director and the members of the management of the ERC dedicated implementation structure, taking into account the views of the ERC Scientific Council;

(e)ensure the timely adoption of the ERC work programme, the positions regarding implementing methodology and the necessary implementing rules including the ERC rules of submission and the ERC model grant agreement, taking into account the views of the ERC Scientific Council and the Commission’s corporate policies implemented through the Specific Programme;

(f)monitor, as responsible for the overall implementation of the Programme, the ERC dedicated implementation structure and evaluate its performance.

Article 9 - Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions

1.The Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) shall focus on investigator-driven research founded exclusively on scientific excellence to support researchers’ career, skills development, and mobility at all career stages.

2.The MSCA shall be open to any scientific domain under the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community. If specific needs arise, the MSCA may target certain activities in specific thematic priorities, types of research and innovation institutions, or geographical locations to respond to the evolving requirements and needs of the Union regarding skills, research training, career development and knowledge sharing, in pursuit of the Union strategic autonomy.

3.The implementation of the MSCA shall:

(a)offer attractive conditions and opportunities for career progression, helping to address systemic issues of career instability and precarity in the research sector. The MSCA shall actively support the principles set out in the European Charter for Researchers promoting fair recruitment, transparent procedures, and merit-based advancement 7 ;

(b)ensure strategic synergies with the European Research Council (ERC) but also with Union instruments that foster innovation, such as the European Innovation Council (EIC) and the activities to foster the integration of the knowledge triangle – higher education, research and innovation, and business – across the Union as well as other Union programmes such as Erasmus+;

(c)promote work-life balance, diversity, and inclusion, setting high standards for working conditions across the European Research Area.

Article 10 - Joint Research Centre 

1.The activities of the Joint Research Centre (JRC) shall be complementary to indirect actions supporting longer-term policy objectives. To achieve this, the JRC works with international, national, regional, and local stakeholders, including through scientific collaboration agreements.

The JRC activities shall:

–be flexible and responsive to evolving policy needs.

–ensure synergy with other EU investments.

–focus on the following areas:

I.scientific and technical support to Union policy priorities, in particular (but not limited to) those defined within the framework of the European Competitiveness Fund and those defined for parts I, II, III and IV of the Horizon Europe Programme;

II.knowledge integration and policy impact;

III.territorial development and Member State support;

IV.scientific excellence and international collaboration;

V.open science, knowledge sharing and capacity building.

Chapter III

Competitiveness and Society

Article 11 - Collaborative research

Collaborative research activities referred to in Chapter I of Regulation XXX [reference to the Horizon Europe Regulation] shall cover, in particular, the following research and innovation activities:

(a)under ‘Competitiveness’, research and innovation activities of the policy windows described in Chapters IV to VII of the European Competitiveness Fund:

(b)under ‘Society’, research and innovation activities, such as:

(i) activities aimed at accomplishing priorities for global societal challenges:

–strengthening democratic values and foundations, civic engagement, the rule of law and fundamental rights, by fostering resilient, pluralistic societies, and the integrity of the information and media space and countering polarisation, disinformation, hate speech, discrimination, and xenophobia, in a rapidly evolving world of geopolitical shifts;

–promoting social inclusion, social and economic transformations, inclusive societies and social cohesion and tackling inequalities to create opportunities for all, taking into consideration rural areas’ specificities, addressing demographic change and intergenerational fairness, including well-managed migration and mobility, supporting mental health and societal well-being, including for young people;

–fostering a value-based and competitive Europe by advancing future-ready skills, and driving inclusive innovation that empowers people, facilitates societal acceptance of technologies and supports sustainable growth that benefits all.

(ii) EU Missions: activities supporting EU Missions referred to in Article 15(5) of Regulation XXX [reference to the Horizon Europe Regulation].

8 (iii) activities in the context of the New European Bauhaus (NEB) Facility, established with the Horizon Europe Strategic Plan 2025-2027, shall deliver on the objectives of the New European Bauhaus, in particular supporting activities to foster the development and scaling up of innovative research solutions for the transformation of neighbourhoods into sustainable, inclusive and beautiful places.

Chapter IV

Innovation

Article 12 - The European Innovation Council Board

1.The European Innovation Council Board (EIC Board) shall advise the Commission on:

(a)the overall strategy for the EIC component under Part III ‘Innovation’ of Horizon Europe, taking into account complementarities with the European Competitiveness Fund;

(b)the work programme for the implementation of the EIC actions, including criteria for assessment of proposals and the appropriate balance between the different types of funding support;

(c)the identification of emerging technology trends from EIC's portfolios, and strategic portfolios of projects;

(d)the profile of EIC Programme Managers;

(e)coordination with the Advisory Board on the European Competitiveness Fund Guarantees, Financial Instruments and Blending Operations established under the European Competitiveness Fund.

2.The EIC Board may upon request from the Commission address recommendations to the Commission on:

(a)any matter which, from an innovation perspective, may enhance and foster innovation eco-systems across the Union, the achievements and impact of the objectives of the EIC, and the capacity of innovative firms to roll out their solutions;

(b)identifying in cooperation with relevant Commission services, national and regional authorities and other relevant entities, possible regulatory barriers faced by entrepreneurs, in particular those awarded support under the EIC;

(c)programming in other parts of the Specific Programme.

3.The EIC Board shall act in the interest of achieving the objectives of the EIC. It shall act with integrity and probity and carry out its work efficiently and transparently.

4.The EIC Board shall be composed of 15 to 20 independent high-level individuals drawn from various parts of Europe's innovation ecosystem, including entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, investors, innovation experts and innovative researchers and technology transfer experts. The EIC Board shall contribute to outreach actions and its members shall strive to enhance the prestige of the EIC brand.

5.The members of the EIC Board shall be appointed by the Commission, following an open call for nominations or for expressions of interest, and taking into account the need for balance in expertise, gender, age and geographical distribution.

6.Their term of office shall be limited to two years, renewable twice.

7.The EIC Board shall have a President who shall be a high-profile public figure linked to the world of innovation, with a solid understanding of developing innovations from research to market and scale-up.

8.The EIC Board President shall have the status of an independent special adviser and shall be appointed by the Commission following a transparent recruitment process. The term of office of the EIC Board President shall be limited to a maximum of two years, extendable once for up to 2 years.

9.The EIC Board President shall chair the EIC Board, prepare its meetings, assign tasks to members and may establish dedicated sub-groups. The EIC Board President shall represent the EIC Board’s views in the world of innovation and act as an interlocutor with the Commission.

10.The Commission shall establish a EIC Board code of conduct addressing, in particular, the avoidance of conflicts of interest and breach of confidentiality. The members of the EIC Board shall agree to abide by the code of conduct upon assuming office.

11.The Commission shall provide administrative support to the EIC Board and the EIC Board President.

Article 13 - Innovation Ecosystems

The Specific Programme shall support:

(a)the establishment and support of connected hubs across the Union, providing innovators, start-ups and scale-ups access to resources, services and partners, including investment opportunities, first buyers of R&I and innovative solutions, corporates, experimentation facilities, research and technology infrastructures, entrepreneurial talent, coaching and mentoring;

(b)activities to develop pan-European innovation ecosystems in key thematic areas, support the development of innovation skills and early-stage venture building, fostering the integration of the knowledge triangle – higher education, research and innovation, and business – across the Union;

(c)programmes to support innovative SMEs, start-ups and scale-ups to expand and access international markets through market viability studies, place-based innovation tools, collaborative research and innovation, exchange of talents, tailored mentorship, access to global investor networks, regulatory guidance, localized marketing support, and soft-landing services in target countries;

(d)other actions to support the development of innovation ecosystems and connectivity including studies, benchmarking, mutual learning between innovation actors and coordination of innovation policies.


Chapter V

European Research Area

Article 14

Reforming and enhancing the European R&I system

To support the realisation of the European Research Area (ERA), the Specific Programme shall assist Member States in achieving the objectives set out in the Pact for Research and Innovation in Europe 9 , by supporting actions aligned with ERA objectives and priority areas for joint action, and by promoting upholding ERA values and principles, as established in the Pact.

Article 15 - Widening participation and spreading excellence

The Specific Programme shall support a truly integrated and cohesive R&I ecosystem in the Union, addressing especially the third and fourth priority areas of the Pact for R&I, amplifying access to research and innovation excellence across the Union and prioritising investments and reforms. Disparities between leading and less advanced countries in terms of R&I performance shall be tackled through activities building a solid science base and connecting actors and ecosystems, and that encourage structural policy reforms at national and regional level aimed at, such as, improving the attractiveness of research careers, internationalisation, effectiveness of management and governance of R&I institutions or matching activities with Union initiatives.

Article 16 - Research infrastructures

1.The Specific Programme shall support the construction, development and integration of research infrastructures of European Union interest.

2.Research infrastructures activities shall focus on:

(a)developing, consolidating and streamlining the Union landscape of research infrastructures, including coordination between the Union and national capacities and contributing up to 20% of the building costs of critical new world-class capacities;

(b)reinforcing transnational access to research infrastructures across domains and sectors, and adapting to new emerging user communities;

(c)making research infrastructures more resilient and sustainable while keeping pace with rapid technological advancements;

(d)developing a web of findable, accessible, interoperable, reusable (FAIR) and machine-actionable research data, including through expanding and consolidating the European Open Science Cloud as Europe’s research data space;

(e)reinforcing European research infrastructure policy and international cooperation.

Article 17 - Technology infrastructures

1.The Specific Programme shall improve technology infrastructure capacities in the Union and facilitate access to the integrated services of such infrastructures for innovative companies, including start-ups and scale-ups.

2.Activities shall focus on:

Development of new technology infrastructure capacities

(a)Improving the visibility and uptake of technology infrastructure services;

(b)Access programme for SMEs, start-ups and scale-ups to technology infrastructures across the Union;

(c)Collaboration and networking among the infrastructures, training and upskilling of their staff.

(d)Reinforcing the European technology infrastructure policy.


Chapter VI

Transitional and final provisions

Article 18 - Committee procedure

1.The Commission shall be assisted by a committee. That committee shall be a committee within the meaning of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011.

2.The committee may convene in the following configurations, having regard to the subject matter to be discussed:

·General configuration: overview of the implementation of the Specific Programme;

·ERC;

·MSCA;

·Global societal challenges, EU Missions, New European Bauhaus Facility;

·EIC and innovation ecosystems;

·Research and technology infrastructures;

·Reforming and enhancing the European R&I system and widening participation and spreading excellence.

3.Where reference is made to this paragraph, Article 4 of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 shall apply.

4.Where reference is made to this paragraph, Article 5 of Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 shall apply. 

5.Where the opinion of the committee is to be obtained by written procedure, that procedure shall be terminated without result when, within the time-limit for delivery of the opinion, the chair of the committee so decides or a simple majority of committee members so request.

6.In accordance with international agreements concluded by the Union, representatives of third countries or international organisations may be invited as observers in the meetings of the Specific Programme committee under the conditions laid down in its rules of procedure, taking into account security and public order of the Union or its Member States.

Article 19 - Repeal

Decision (EU) No 764/2021 is repealed with effect from 1 January 2028.

Article 20 - Transitional provisions

1.This Decision shall not affect the continuation or modification of the actions concerned, until their closure, under Decision (EU) 2021/764/EU, which shall continue to apply to those actions until their closure.

2.The financial envelope for the Specific Programme may also cover technical and administrative assistance expenses necessary to ensure the transition between the Specific Programme and the measures adopted under its Decision (EU) 2021/764.

Article 21 - Entry into force and application

This Decision shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

It shall apply from 1 January 2028.