Arqus supports the statement on the key role of early-stage collaborative R&I funding within FP10, published by 12 leading European research and innovation stakeholders

12 leading European research and innovation stakeholders, including the Coimbra Group, an Arqus associate partner, have recently published a statement calling on EU institutions to secure a strong role for early-stage collaborative R&I within the forthcoming Framework Programme (FP10).

Early-Stage Researchers are at the centre of the Arqus Alliance. We support and prepare them to integrate academia or the labour market at the European level. With its PhD Pursuit team, Arqus has built an active network of career experts that share their projects, ideas and skills to develop programmes and activities for Early-Stage Researchers. Through the Arqus Mentoring Programme for Early-Stage Researchers, the Alliance supports doctoral and postdoctoral researchers in their academic career development through peer-group training sessions and connecting them with experienced researchers who serve as mentors. Early-Stage Researchers from member universities also benefit from the Arqus PhD Weeks for Careers Beyond Academia and summer and winter schools, and they are encouraged to apply for funding opportunities such as the Arqus Research Initiative.

The Coimbra Group, together with 11 other leading European research and innovation stakeholders, have now expressed that maintaining and strengthening early-stage collaborative R&I within FP10 is essential to safeguard Europe’s ability to address global challenges, reinforce strategic autonomy and sustain long-term competitiveness.

In their joint statement, they urge policymakers to ensure FP10 continues to support flexible, curiosity-driven collaboration, free from overly prescriptive funding models. They call for concrete improvements in FP10 to further unleash the potential of early-stage collaborative R&I, including reduced complexity, better support for diverse project sizes, and stronger funding for early-stage research. “Europe’s future competitiveness, resilience and global leadership depend on it”.

Arqus shares this perspective and fully supports the joint statement.