1. One of the Horizon programmes’ objectives is to strengthen the impact of research in developing, supporting and implementing Union policies(1) and communication, dissemination and exploitation of research results are a contractual obligation for EU-funded research projects(2). Policy and law-making initiatives and decisions are always taken independently by the EU institutions.

2. The Commission applies a comprehensive transparency policy concerning interest representation and requires decision-makers at the political level(3) and those directly responsible for advising them(4) to meet only interest representatives that are registered in the Transparency Register(5) and to publish these meetings(6). This policy is applicable to all interest representatives, as defined in the relevant Interinstitutional Agreement(7), including entities participating in Union-funded projects. Registered interest representatives that receive Union funding are required to provide the related financial information in the Transparency Register. The Commission has been having regular meetings with the Consortium only to discuss from a technical perspective the level of advancement of the project in terms of research output as well as the administrative respect of the terms of the grant agreement. No meeting has been held to discuss possible legislative changes in relation to the project outcomes.

3. The Commission is not aware of any projects under Horizon which have been used to influence members of EU legislative bodies. To be noted that, among others, the Horizon Results Platform(8) allows to identify results that have been submitted and described by the consortia themselves as capable of influencing policy.