ATIGA examines the future of European R&I funding and opportunities for Galicia in Brussels

The European Union is defining the priorities that will shape funding for research, technological development and innovation over the next decade. Technology centres have much to contribute to this process, both through their technological infrastructure capabilities and their role in connecting businesses and transferring technology to them, thereby helping to strengthen competitiveness across Europe.

Against this backdrop, Fernando Val, Director General of the Galician Intersectoral Technology Alliance (ATIGA), held two meetings in Brussels on Tuesday, 27 October, focusing on the future of European research and innovation policies.

His agenda included a meeting with Ana Ramos, Director of the Brussels Office of Fundación Galicia Europa, and Vanessa Lobo, the organisation’s European Policy Officer. They exchanged views on the negotiations surrounding the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028–2034 and its potential implications for Galicia and its technology centres.

A new EU budget that could reshape innovation funding

The European Commission has proposed a budget of nearly €2 trillion for the 2028–2034 period, with a strong emphasis on strengthening the Union’s competitiveness, technological autonomy and industrial capabilities.

One of the main proposals is to increase funding for the next Horizon Europe programme to €175 billion, almost doubling the budget of the current programme. Horizon Europe would also be closely linked to the new European Competitiveness Fund, designed to mobilise investment in strategic technologies and help innovations progress from research to industrial application.

This approach could create new opportunities for technology centres, particularly in areas such as digitalisation, decarbonisation, advanced materials, biotechnology and dual-use technologies.

However, the figures and the final design of the programmes remain subject to negotiation. The future management model for European funds is also under discussion, with certain risks emerging, particularly following the recent publication of the Council of the European Union’s position (Negotiation Box) and the possibility of reductions in the funding amounts initially proposed by the European Commission.

For Galicia, one of the key challenges will be to ensure that regions retain a role in defining investment priorities, while making the most of competitive funding opportunities to strengthen the technological capabilities of its industrial sector.

Giving Technology Centres a Voice in the European Debate

Fernando Val’s agenda in Brussels also included his participation, on Tuesday 27 October, in the meeting of EARTO’s Working Group on European R&D&I Programmes, the European Association of Research and Technology Organisations.

The meeting, hosted by ACCIÓ at the Delegation of the Government of Catalonia to the European Union, brought together European experts to exchange views on the next Framework Programme for Research, the European Competitiveness Fund, future partnerships and the governance of technology infrastructures.

These discussions are particularly relevant for organisations such as those that make up ATIGA, which combine applied research capabilities, technological infrastructures and direct collaboration with businesses.

In this context, EARTO has consistently advocated for ambitious funding for European R&D&I and for strengthening collaborative research and technology transfer instruments.

ATIGA’s participation in both meetings provides an opportunity to closely follow developments in EU policy, share the perspectives of Galician technology centres and anticipate changes that could affect their access to European funding.

This engagement is particularly relevant at a time when Europe is seeking to strengthen its industrial competitiveness and translate its research capabilities into technologies, products and new business opportunities.