European budget for research and innovation: Udice strongly denounces the announced cuts

Udice, echoing the European Parliament, strongly denounces the proposal of the Council of Economic and Financial Affairs (ECOFIN) to reduce the annual budget for research and innovation (Horizon Europe framework program). Udice calls for the support of the French government in an open letter addressed to the Minister of Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty and to the Minister of Higher Education and Research.

For Michel Deneken, President of Udice, “Our capacity to address the current and future challenges and crises can only be European. While other countries, in other regions of the world, are investing massively to respond to the climate emergency, the energy crisis or to ensure their independence in strategic technological sectors, it is regrettable to see Europe tempted by budgetary austerity. The budget of the Horizon Europe framework program must not only be protected from cuts or redistributions, but it should also be increased so that the resources devoted to research and innovation meet our ambitions.”