What developments in research policy are expected in the second half of 2025?

After the summer break, when the policy process restarts, AI, Horizon Europe talks, and space issues will be key items on the agenda.

In the first half of 2025, the newly appointed European Commission has launched an array of policy initiatives. With August providing a brief pause for reflection, attention will soon turn to an intensive autumn agenda. The following outlines the major developments expected in the second half of the year.

Danish Presidency and FP10:

One of the most significant developments so far this year has been the Commission’s proposal for the post-2027 EU budget and the forthcoming Framework Programme 10 (FP10). The Danish Presidency has expressed its intention to advance Council negotiations on FP10 before year’s end. EU research ministers are currently scheduled to convene on 30 September and 9 December.

The European Parliament’s research committee will also commence its review of the FP10 proposal once political groups have appointed their rapporteurs. Additional Danish Presidency priorities include discussions on the EU Life Sciences Strategy, the Start-Up and Scale-Up Strategy, and the EU Space Act.

AI Strategies:

The Commission is preparing to unveil three major strategies in the third quarter: AI in Science, Apply AI, and the Data Union. The AI in Science strategy will establish the framework for the Resource for AI Science in Europe (Raise)—also known as the European AI Research Council—which aims to consolidate resources for scientists working on AI development and applications. Raise is scheduled for launch at an inaugural event hosted by the Danish Presidency on 3–4 November.

The Apply AI strategy seeks to accelerate new industrial applications of AI, while the Data Union strategy is designed to simplify data governance, facilitate data sharing, enhance the availability of high-quality datasets, and promote investment in data infrastructure.

28th Regime Debate:

The European start-up sector is anticipating the introduction of the “28th Regime,” a unified set of rules to support rapid cross-border expansion within the EU, covering insolvency, labour, and tax law. According to the Commission’s Competitiveness Compass, a proposal is expected in late 2025 or early 2026.

However, a draft report from the European Parliament, authored by René Repasi of the Socialists and Democrats group, has raised concerns among start-up associations. The report recommends adopting a directive—allowing member states more flexibility in implementation—instead of a regulation that would be uniformly binding across the EU. Industry stakeholders fear that a directive would fail to resolve the regulatory fragmentation hindering scale-up efforts. The debate is expected to intensify in the latter half of the year following the closure of the Commission’s call for evidence on 30 September.

Space Budget:

The European Space Agency (ESA) faces a decisive period in the coming months, as member states are set to determine its next three-year budget at the Ministerial Council meeting in Bremen on November 26–27.

ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher has been a vocal advocate for greater ambition in recent years. Speaking to MEPs in May, he indicated that the agency was preparing a budget proposal likely exceeding €20 billion. Recent reports suggest the final figure will be €23 billion—a 36% increase over the current €16.9 billion budget—though the ultimate decision lies with member states. The budget’s size will be critical to ESA’s capacity to foster a private space sector, integrate new priorities such as defence, and remain competitive with other global space powers. Proposed budget cuts at NASA may also have implications for ESA’s international collaborations.

Election Season:

Several national elections across Europe could shape domestic research policy. Norway will hold parliamentary elections on September 8, followed by elections in Czechia and the Netherlands in October.

Photo credits: European Union

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