The GYA, together with 18 European and associated young academies, has signed an open letter to the Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and national governments to raise concerns over cuts to Horizon Europe funding from 2021 onwards. The letter, whose drafting was led by the Polish Young Academy, urges MEPs and national governments to act against the proposed cuts in the budget of Horizon Europe in 2021-2027, which were suggested by the European Council in July 2020. Funding should be restored to at least the initially agreed €94.4bn and funding for Pillar 1 initiatives prioritised.
Early-career researchers deem the proposed cuts particularly detrimental, given the undeniable role of science and innovation in coping with global challenges including but not limited to the current COVID-19 pandemic. The authors argue that cutting the budget for science and innovation, and in particular funding for Pillar 1, which covers ERC and MSCA initiatives, will permanently and deeply damage European science. It will also lower the EU’s competitiveness and weaken its ability to develop innovative technologies, creating associated jobs and responding to future global challenges. Therefore, they postulate the restoration of the funding for Horizon Europe at least to the level from the initial proposal accepted provisionally in April 2019, and to give priority to funding Pillar 1 – Excellent Science initiatives.
As a global organisation, the GYA is particularly concerned that the proposed cuts to European research funding could jeopardise Europe’s leadership as a highly developed scientific region and could send the wrong message to other regions in the world about the importance of scientific research in the development of human societies.
Full text of the letter (on the website of the Polish Young Academy): LINK
Individuals and organisations who acknowledge the important role of research in the current and future existence of the EU and agree with the demands made in the letter, can register their support virtually by using this online form.