UASNL and European UAS partners call for impact‑driven, place‑based FP10

UASNL, representing the Dutch Universities of Applied Sciences, has submitted an amendment package to FP10 and ECF rapporteur MEP Christian Ehler, aimed at strengthening the European Commission’s proposal for the next Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (FP10). The package was prepared in close liaison with EURASHE, UAS4EUROPE, SwissCore, BayFOR and the Central Denmark EU Office. 

In its reaction to the Ehler draft report, UASNL welcomes the ambition to secure a world‑class, excellence‑driven FP10 with an increased budget of €220 billion. UASNL strongly supports a robust Pillar II for collaborative research projects and endorses the introduction of new instruments such as Fast Track to Innovation, “Fast Track to Excellence” and a European Demonstrator Scheme, which are designed to speed up the uptake of research results and open the Programme to a broader range of innovators. 

The amendment package puts forward several key positions for the future FP10. UASNL calls for Smart Specialisation (S3) to be treated as a core principle across all pillars of the Programme, making FP10 “territorially intelligent” and better aligned with regional strengths and EU strategic priorities. It also argues for “impact excellence” to be recognised alongside scientific excellence, ensuring that research is rewarded not only for breakthroughs but also for its capacity to generate technological, industrial and societal value. Further priorities include a strong linkage between research and innovation, a clear separation between FP10 and the European Competitiveness Fund (ECF) with well‑designed operational synergies, structural embedding of applied research and UAS roles in governance, and place‑based innovation as a foundational element of the Programme. 

These positions are closely aligned with the latest EURASHE statement on FP10, which calls for a Programme grounded in excellence across the entire innovation journey, better translation of Europe’s research strengths into economic and societal value, and a clear place‑based dimension fully compatible with excellence. The statement also advocates an FP10 work programme and committee structure that is independent from, but closely aligned with, the ECF; careful assessment of research councils for collaborative research; reinforcement of missions (with potential extension to 2034); tailored funding for European University Alliances; and a stronger Knowledge Triangle with a clarified role for the European Institute of Innovation and Technology. 

With this joint effort, UASNL and its European partners underline the strategic importance of applied research, impact‑oriented excellence and regional innovation ecosystems for a more competitive, future‑proof and just Europe. 

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