Research and Innovation Summit: shaping the future of EU research policy

The high-level summit, organised by the Panel for the Future of Science and Technology (STOA) together with the G6 network, the informal grouping of the six biggest scientific research organisations of Europe. The event took place on Wednesday, 4 June 2025, in the European Parliament’s library room in Brussels - you can watch the recording of the event here. “Europe will always remain the home of scientific freedom. Europe will always choose science”, said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who delivered the keynote speech at the event. Horizon Europe to remain a self-standing programme Ms Von der Leyen highlighted how science is coming under threat, stating that “when some of the most successful scientific programmes ever are cut in one part of the world, it affects us all.” Addressing an audience that included several MEPs, she later confirmed that “Horizon Europe will stay as a self-standing programme in our next seven-year budget”, praising the programme as an outstanding brand that researchers around the world want to be part of. In a video address, the President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola said that ambition must be matched by investment. “Now, we need the political will and the courage to act, to unleash the full potential of European science and research, to attract the brightest and the best to Europe” she said. STOA Chair and EP rapporteur on the implementation of the Horizon Europe Programme Christian Ehler (EPP, Germany)...