Groups��representing research universities in the UK, Switzerland, Canada and New Zealand have called for “day one” access to the European Union’s (EU) next framework programme for research, warning delays could disrupt collaboration.��

In a joint letter addressed to the Council of the EU, the Russell Group, Swissuniversities, Universities New Zealand and U15 Canada also urged policymakers to ensure��FP10, the successor to Horizon Europe,��is open, stable and research-led so that it��remains attractive to associated countries.��

“The expansion in the number of associated countries is a tremendous diplomatic and scientific achievement. To build on this, we hope the Council will work to ensure smooth and rapid association for trusted partners, so they can take part in FP10 from day one,” the groups write.

“A����geopolitical competition intensifies, it is more important than ever to invest in research relationships between long-standing and trusted partners. FP10 can become a crucial platform to maintain and strengthen those relationships. If it does, all our societies and economies will benefit.”

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The joint action comes ahead of a��Competitiveness Council meeting between EU policymakers in Brussels on 29 May to discuss FP10.��

The UK, Switzerland, Canada and New Zealand are in the process of being associated with the next framework, which is scheduled to run from 2028 to 2034 and has a��proposed budget of €175 billion��(£152 billion), nearly double the amount allocated to the current framework. All four nations are associated countries in the current Horizon Europe framework, although they joined a few years after it officially began.��

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In their letter, the university groups warned that delays could disrupt collaboration across “strategically important areas of science” such as climate research and technology.��

“A��sociated countries are eager to play a full part in Horizon, because they know it offers networks no one country can replicate alone. Their growing role in the programme – adding around a third of its budget again – is good for everyone. A wider-ranging Horizon Europe is a larger Horizon Europe, drawing on a stronger research base and delivering greater impact,” they say.

“This is a striking European success story, on which the EU can build in Framework Programme 10. The Commission has already taken a major step in this direction, with a standalone programme focused on research and innovation, which we fully support.”

The groups said FP10 should remain research-led, with a collaborative Pillar II that complements the new��European Competitiveness Fund (ECF). They also want associated country observers to keep their role in shaping Pillar II governance.

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Other measures they have asked for include protecting curiosity-driven research across all four pillars, including a fully independent European Research Council (ERC) and bottom-up Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions schemes.��

These groups also call for fewer “topic exclusions” and ensuring associated countries are “treated equally” in applications and collaborations.��

seher.asaf@timeshighereducation.com��