EU research, transport, space and digital priorities post 2020 approved by MEPs 

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  • Most ambitious EU research and innovation programme ever agreed
  • Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) to develop trans-European transport, energy and telecom networks
  • EU Space Programme to secure continued EU leadership in space activities
  • First ever Digital Europe Programme to invest in five key digital sectors

The European Parliament adopts partial agreements on 2021-2027 priorities on research, space, transport, energy, telecom and digital Europe for 2021 - 2027.

Today the European Parliament voted on a number of files related to the EU’s long-term budget (2021-2027 multiannual financial framework - MFF) confirming partial agreements with EU Member States on the scope and priorities for investing in areas, which are crucial for future EU growth and development.


Horizon Europe research Programme


The partial agreement for the 2021-2027 Horizon Europe rules for participation and dissemination was approved by 578 votes to 40 against, and 41 abstentions (Rapporteur Dan Nica (S&D, RO). The proposal for the specific programme implementing Horizon Europe was approved by 590 votes to 42, and 25 abstentions (Rapporteur Christian Ehler (EPP, DE).


Funding is not part of the partial deal. Parliament wants €120 billion in 2018 prices (€135.25 billion in current prices) for Horizon Europe 2021-2027.


For more details about the content of Horizon Europe read the press release after the trilogue agreement here.


The EU Space Programme


The partial agreement for the 2021-2027 EU Space Programme was approved by 560 votes to 63, and 32 abstentions. The rapporteur was Massimiliano Salini (EPP, IT).


The EU Space programme will inter alia continue to support Galileo and EGNOS, the EU's global and regional satellite navigation systems and Copernicus, the EU's Earth observation programme as well as support the competitiveness and innovation capacity of space sector industries in particular SMEs in order to secure continued EU leadership in space activities.


Funding is not part of the partial deal. Parliament wants €15.02 billion in 2018 prices (16.93 in current prices) for the EU Space Programme 2021-2027


Digital Europe


The partial agreement to create the first ever 2021-2017 Digital Europe programme was approved by 561 votes to 39, and 50 abstentions. The rapporteur was Angelika Mlinar (ALDE, AT).


The Digital Europe Programme will invest in five key digital sectors: high performance computing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and trust, advanced digital skills, and ensuring the wide use and deployment of digital technologies across the society to strengthen European industrial technological leadership.


Funding is not part of the partial deal. Parliament wants €8.2 billion in 2018 prices (€9.2 billion in current prices) to achieve the Digital Single Market strategy 2021-2027.


Trans-European transport, energy and telecom networks


The partial agreement to renew the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) between 2021 and 2027 to ensure continued development of trans-European transport, energy and telecom networks was approved with 430 votes to 146 and 31 abstentions.


Rapporteurs: Marian-Jean Marinescu (EPP, RO), Henna Virkkunen (EPP, FI), Pavel Telička (ALDE, CZ). For more details on the partial agreement on the Connecting Europe Facility, read the press release after the Committee vote here.


Next steps


Once the Council has agreed on the size of the overall budget, the next European Parliament will negotiate on the outstanding issues with Member States.