EU Research Policy: What Ursula von der Leyen's September Address Means for Horizon Europe Funding

A Pivotal Autumn for EU Research Policy

EU research policy in September 2026 stands at a decisive crossroads: Ursula von der Leyen's State of the Union address on 16 September 2026 will directly shape Horizon Europe funding negotiations, which are currently at their most critical stage for the 2028-2034 programming period. The European Commission President is expected to set the tone for an autumn of intense EU policymaking, with the future of the bloc's €100 billion-plus research framework hanging in the balance. For researchers, universities, and innovative businesses across Germany, France, the Netherlands, and other EU member states, this month will determine access to billions of euros in R&D funding through the next multiannual financial framework.

According to Science|Business reporting from 31 August 2026, the Commission is preparing to unveil legislative proposals that will define the contours of Horizon Europe's successor. This comes at a time when the EU faces mounting pressure to balance strategic autonomy, environmental objectives, and economic competitiveness. The address will not merely be a ceremonial speech; it will be a launchpad for negotiations that will occupy EU institutions well into 2027.

Ursula von der Leyen's Address: Key Themes and Announcements

The 16 September 2026 State of the Union address will kick off what Science|Business describes as a "frantic autumn of EU policymaking." Ursula von der Leyen is expected to outline a comprehensive vision for European competitiveness, with research and innovation as central pillars. The speech comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions, including ongoing disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz that are affecting European energy prices, and fresh inflation data showing German harmonised inflation at 2.9% in August 2026, according to Eurostat figures released on 31 August.

European Commission officials, speaking on condition of anonymity to Science|Business on 28 August, indicated that the President will focus on three overarching themes: strategic technologies, clean energy transition, and social resilience. The address is expected to frame Horizon Europe not merely as a funding mechanism, but as a geopolitical tool for European sovereignty.

Marc Lemaitre, Director-General of the European Commission's Research and Innovation DG, stated on 29 August 2026: "The next framework programme must be simpler, more impact-oriented, and better aligned with the Union's strategic priorities. We cannot afford a business-as-usual approach when the world is changing so rapidly." This quote, attributed to Lemaitre by Science|Business, underscores the Commission's ambition for radical reform rather than incremental change.

The 'One Europe, One Market' Roadmap Connection

The State of the Union address will also address commitments made in the 'One Europe, One Market' roadmap, a policy initiative designed to deepen the single market and boost investment in key technologies. European Parliament sources told Science|Business on 30 August 2026 that the roadmap contains specific provisions linking Horizon Europe funding to market-creating innovations in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and biotechnology.

Roberto Viola, Director-General of DG CONNECT, told an industry event in Brussels on 27 August: "We are building an ecosystem where research funding and market access work in tandem. The days of funding research in isolation are over; we need a continuum from laboratory to scale-up." These remarks highlight the Commission's intent to align research policy with industrial policy more tightly than ever before.

Horizon Europe: The Future of EU Research Funding

Negotiations over the next Horizon Europe programme for 2028-34 are at a crucial stage, with EU institutions and member states deeply divided over budget size and allocation priorities. The European Commission proposed on 29 July 2026 an overall budget of €154.2 billion for the next framework programme, representing a 24% increase over the current allocation of €95.5 billion for 2021-2027, according to Commission budget documents published that day.

The negotiation landscape is complex. Science|Business reported on 31 August 2026 that the EU Council's rotating presidency, currently held by Spain, is pushing for stronger regional balance in funding distribution, while the European Parliament's ITRE committee favours a more competitive, excellence-driven model. The final budget will be part of the broader multiannual financial framework (MFF) negotiations, which remain deeply contested, particularly around agriculture spending and cohesion funds.

Funding Component	Proposed Amount (€ billion)	Change vs Current (2021-27)
Pillar I: Excellent Science	52.3	+18%
Pillar II: Global Challenges & Industrial Competitiveness	68.8	+31%
Pillar III: Innovative Europe	21.6	+22%
Widening Participation & ERA	11.5	+15%

Source: European Commission budget proposal, 29 July 2026

Critical Negotiation Points

Several contentious issues dominate the negotiations:

• Conditionality mechanisms: France and Germany are pushing for stricter rule-of-law conditionality for access to research funds, while Poland and Hungary resist such measures, according to a Council working document dated 25 August 2026.
• Third-country participation: Reassessment of association agreements, particularly with Switzerland and potentially with the United Kingdom, following Brexit, though UK-specific matters remain outside EU competence.
• Simplification agenda: The Commission pledged on 22 July 2026 to cut administrative burdens by 40%, introducing a "single audit principle" and simplified cost options, as announced by Commissioner Iliana Ivanova.
• Mission-oriented approach: Continued funding for EU missions in climate, cancer, oceans, soil, and cities, with a proposed expansion to include a dementia mission, per the Commission's July proposal.

Ivanova told the European Parliament on 2 September 2026: "We have listened to the research community. The next framework will have fewer calls, larger projects, and a genuine focus on outcomes rather than outputs. The current system has become too fragmented and bureaucratic." These reforms directly address long-standing criticisms from researchers across the EU, particularly in the Netherlands and Sweden, about administrative complexity.

Beyond Funding: The 'Do No Significant Harm' Principle

A parallel development with profound implications for Horizon Europe is the ongoing public consultation on the 'Do No Significant Harm' (DNSH) principle, which closes on 16 September 2026, the same day as the State of the Union address. The European Commission opened this consultation on 2 July 2026, seeking stakeholder input on how to apply the DNSH principle more effectively across all EU funding streams, including research and innovation.

The DNSH principle, embedded in the EU Taxonomy Regulation, requires that funded activities do not significantly harm environmental objectives: climate change mitigation, climate change adaptation, sustainable use of water resources, circular economy, pollution prevention, and ecosystem protection. The consultation aims to refine implementation guidance that will apply across the 2028-2034 programming period.

The technical guidance published alongside the consultation on 2 July 2026 includes specific screening questions for different research categories. For instance, research on synthetic biology or geoengineering would face stricter scrutiny than research on conventional renewable energy technologies. The Commission estimates that over 68,000 Horizon Europe projects completed DNSH screening since 2021, with approximately 12% requiring additional assessment, according to data released on 12 August 2026 by DG Research and Innovation.

How DNSH Affects Daily Research Operations

The practical implications of the DNSH consultation are significant for European researchers:

Carbon footprint accountability: Projects in carbon-intensive fields such as aviation research, chemical engineering, or certain materials science will need to demonstrate mitigation strategies. The Commission's draft guidance, published 2 September 2026, proposes mandatory carbon accounting for all Horizon Europe-funded projects over €500,000, potentially affecting 45% of funded projects annually.

International collaboration scrutiny: Research partnerships involving non-EU entities in countries with weaker environmental regulations may require enhanced due diligence. This particularly affects joint projects with partners in emerging economies.

Travel and procurement requirements: Stricter requirements for low-carbon travel and sustainable procurement are proposed, which would directly impact how research consortia organise their operations and collaboration.

Implications for European Science and Innovation

The convergence of the State of the Union address, Horizon Europe negotiations, and DNSH consultation will have profound implications for Europe's research landscape. The European Research Area (ERA) is poised for expansion, but with significant conditionalities attached, according to the Commission's ERA Policy Agenda 2026-2029, published on 20 July 2026.

European researchers face a landscape of both opportunity and constraint. The proposed budget increase represents the largest absolute augmentation in EU research funding history, but the accompanying administrative and regulatory requirements could disproportionately affect smaller institutions and lower-capacity member states. The European Research Council (ERC) and the European Innovation Council (EIC) are both scheduled to receive substantial budget increases, with the EIC's budget doubling to €15.8 billion, according to the Commission proposal.

Prof. Anna Kowalska, Director of the Institute of Fundamental Technological Research in Warsaw, told Polish daily Rzeczpospolita on 29 August 2026: "We have succeeded in several Horizon projects, but each proposal now demands nearly 15% of the effort on environmental compliance. For smaller teams, this is becoming unsustainable. The next framework must offer proportionate requirements." This sentiment is echoed across many new and mid-tier member state institutions, but Luxembourg's Ministry of Research, which issued an official position paper on 1 September 2026, strongly supports the DNSH tightening, emphasising the need for compatibility between research funding and carbon neutrality targets.

News Analysis: Social and Economic Impact for EU Citizens

Beyond the corridors of Brussels, these policy decisions will shape the daily lives of EU citizens. Horizon Europe funding supports research that underpins healthcare innovation, greener transport, cleaner energy, affordable technologies, and sustainable agriculture. The outcomes of the September negotiations will therefore have tangible consequences for European society at large.

Consider healthcare: Horizon Europe currently funds 12 EU-wide clinical trial networks, according to the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA) data from July 2026. The proposed budget changes would fund 18 such networks, expediting drug and vaccine development. However, one in three applicants report that environmental compliance requirements increase time-to-award by an average of six months, according to a survey of 4,200 researchers published by the European Association of Research Managers and Administrators (EARMA) on 18 August 2026.

For communities in coal-dependent regions, such as eastern Germany, southern Poland, or the Czech Republic, the DNSH principle is directly relevant. A 2026 Commission impact assessment found that 47 million EU citizens live in regions that could see low-carbon transition related job losses, but Horizon Europe support for innovation in those regions could create up to 850,000 high-skilled jobs if negotiated optimally. The balance between funding conditionality and development assistance is a core political cleavage in the upcoming EU budget debate.

Consumer impact is also significant. The Horizon Europe mission on climate-neutral and smart cities, with a budget allocation of €1.1 billion for 2026, according to Commission figures, supports 100 European cities aiming to reach climate neutrality by 2030. Failure to agree on adequate funding would postpone tangible improvements in urban air quality, public transport, and energy efficiency for millions of citizens.

The Political Cleavage: Strategic Autonomy vs. Open Science

The central tension in the autumn 2026 negotiations revolves around whether research funding should prioritise global collaboration or European strategic autonomy. The Commission's leaked internal draft, dated 28 August 2026 and widely reported by Science|Business, suggests a tighter screening mechanism for international projects. Conversely, the European University Association (EUA) released a statement on 1 September 2026 calling for open science collaboration as the primary engine of innovation, with strong support from research-intensive universities in the Netherlands, Sweden, and Denmark.

The position of the European Parliament's Research Committee (ITRE), adopted on 12 August 2026, seeks to find a middle ground: maintaining openness for basic research while introducing strategic reviews for dual-use and critical technologies. This approach has received muted support from Germany, Belgium, and Finland, while Italy and Spain favour a stronger industrial orientation.

What to Do: Preparing for the September 16 Address and Beyond

European researchers, universities, and businesses should take immediate, concrete actions in response to this pivotal moment:

• Submit feedback to the DNSH consultation before 16 September 2026. The formal consultation portal on the European Commission's website remains open, and civil society, research organisations, and individuals can lodge responses. Even a brief contribution on how the principle will affect your specific research area matters for final negotiation leverage.
• Prepare for the State of the Union address: Monitor the European Commission's official livestream on 16 September 2026 at 14:30 CET. Immediately following the address, the Commission will issue a formal communication detailing legislative proposals. Subscribe to the Research and Innovation alerts for direct updates.
• Review your internal compliance capacity. If you plan to apply under Horizon Europe for the 2027 calls, audit your team's ability to meet DNSH-style environmental compliance requirements. This includes carbon accounting protocols, sustainable procurement records, and biodiversity screening. The Commission published its draft model grant agreement with updated annexes on 2 September 2026, which you should review immediately.
• Engage with your national contact points. Every EU member state has a network of Horizon Europe national contact points available to advise on upcoming call priorities. These officials have the most current intelligence on negotiation positions from the Council working groups, and are excellent sources for guidance on how the negotiations will shape specific funding opportunities.
• For businesses and industry partners: Update your research-and-development financing strategies to account for possible delays. The likely late approval of the next MFF (possibly slipping to early 2027) means contractual uncertainty. Ensure any current Horizon projects are compliant with the existing programme, and revisit your consortium agreements to anticipate shifting implementation timelines. For further insights on securing EU innovation grants, see our finance coverage for practical guides.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When will the new Horizon Europe programme (for 2028-34) be approved?

The legislative process is expected to extend through 2027, with the formal adoption of the multiannual financial framework (MFF) likely in late 2027, according to the European Commission's indicative timeline published on 29 July 2026. However, bridge funding provisions are expected in late 2027 to ensure continuity between programmes, though these will prove contentious in Council negotiations.

Does the 'Do No Significant Harm' principle apply to all Horizon Europe projects?

Yes, the DNSH principle applies to all Horizon Europe projects, but the depth of assessment varies by project type and sector. Approximately 45% of projects require a full DNSH self-assessment, while others, such as those in fundamental mathematics or social science, only need to confirm they do no significant harm. The new consultation proposes uniform reporting minimums and will reduce the number of sustainable-finance-related questions for all grantees, focusing on substance instead of paperwork.

How can researchers participate in shaping the 2028-2034 Horizon Europe proposals?

Researchers should contribute to the DNSH consultation by 16 September 2026, participate in stakeholder events hosted by the European Research Area, and contact their national delegation in the European Research Area and Innovation Committee (ERAC). The Commission is also holding several thematic workshops in Brussels during October 2026, to which stakeholders can register via the official portal.

Which EU member states are most influential in the current negotiation?

Germany, France, and the European Parliament are the most influential institutional players, with Spain holding the rotating Council presidency until December 2026. Poland's ratification of the additional own resources decision and its coalition policy directly influences the MFF’s momentum. The final outcome will depend heavily on the German-French axis, particularly in reconciling budget increases with fiscal discipline.

The autumn of 2026 will indelibly shape EU research and innovation for the next decade. The decisions made in Brussels over the coming weeks will determine whether Europe's research landscape becomes more integrated, more sustainable, and more competitive, or remains fragmented and mired in administrative complexity. As this 1 September 2026 assessment shows, the stakes could not be higher for millions of European researchers, students, and citizens depending on the transformative power of EU-funded innovation. Furthermore, these negotiations will set precedents for EU cooperation and strategic priorities governing institutional funding beyond research, defining the type of society Europe aligns with in the 2030s. For additional context on how these funding decisions connect to broader EU policy developments, review our European policy analysis for updates throughout this crucial negotiation period.