As Denmark assumes the EU Council Presidency, the research community anticipates a strong push for science and innovation – building on Poland’s efforts and setting the stage for the next EU research programme.
During the first half of 2025, Poland’s EU Council Presidency put research and innovation (R&I) in the spotlight. In March 2025, all 27 EU research ministers met in Warsaw and unanimously adopted the Warsaw Declaration, calling for the next EU Framework Programme for R&I (FP10) to remain a standalone, well-funded initiative. The declaration stresses that bold investment in science is crucial for Europe’s competitiveness, security and ability to tackle global challenges. This united stance – echoed by the European Parliament – sent a “strong signal” that a robust, independent FP10 is essential for Europe’s future.
Poland’s presidency also advanced other R&I priorities. EU ministers reached a new European Research Area (ERA) policy agenda for 2025–2027 and agreed on boosting the use of artificial intelligence in science. In May 2025, the Council adopted conclusions on an EU strategy for AI in science, emphasizing ethical and inclusive uptake of AI by researchers. These steps reflected Poland’s goal of integrating research into Europe’s security and competitiveness plans, ensuring researchers are “seen and heard” in policy decisions. By the end of its term, Poland had laid important groundwork – from championing FP10’s integrity to shaping research policy initiatives – that paved the way for its successor.
Danish Presidency: A Research-Focused Agenda
On 1 July 2025, Denmark takes over with a programme titled “A strong Europe in a changing world”, which puts a clear emphasis on security, competitiveness and innovation. The Danish Presidency has pledged to “prioritise creating an optimal framework for excellent research and innovation” and to boost public–private R&I cooperation, aiming to narrow Europe’s innovation gap in critical technologies. Research stakeholders have responded positively to Denmark’s agenda, noting that Europe “cannot be truly innovative, and in turn competitive, without universities” and strong R&I supports. Danish organizers are also hosting conferences on topics like AI in science, reforming research assessment, and social sciences, which observers say aligns well with academia’s interests.
Crucially, Denmark’s tenure coincides with the launch of FP10 negotiations. The European Commission is slated to unveil its proposal for the next multi-year R&I programme (FP10, covering 2028 onwards) on 16 July 2025. Copenhagen has signaled it is ready to kick-start discussions on these proposals as part of the EU’s upcoming budget talks. While the Council is unlikely to finalize an FP10 deal before the end of the year, the coming months are seen as a “crucial window” to shape the programme’s direction. One key debate will be the budget: research advocates across Europe are urging a major funding boost (some call for doubling Horizon Europe’s €95 billion budget) to meet ambitious goals. There is broad consensus — from national ministers to MEPs — that FP10 must remain a dedicated research fund, not subsumed under a general Competitiveness Fund. In fact, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has confirmed FP10 will stay a standalone programme. Still, questions linger on how it might link with other EU funding tools, and research organizations warn against any moves that could make collaborative science funding more prescriptive or dilute support for basic research.
In summary, Europe’s research sector has high hopes that the Danish Council Presidency will build on Poland’s momentum and champion a bold R&I vision. By defending a strong, independent FP10 and promoting innovation-friendly policies, Denmark can help secure the scientific foundation for a competitive, secure and sustainable Europe. The next six months will be pivotal for setting that course, as EU leaders balance immediate challenges with long-term investments in knowledge and innovation.
Photo credits: Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union / Flickr
