This Week in Higher Ed — Brussels (#13, 2026)
Three EP committees publish opinions on Horizon Europe 2028-2034; AGRI and REGI seek ring-fenced funding for agriculture, regional innovation; SEDE focuses on dual-use and defence synergies.
April 05, 2026 to April 11, 2026
Three EP committees publish opinions on Horizon Europe 2028-2034; AGRI and REGI seek ring-fenced funding for agriculture, regional innovation; SEDE focuses on dual-use and defence synergies.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 📅 This Week's Calendar in Brussels
• 🤝 EU Council
• ✒️ EP Committee Work
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
This Week's Calendar in Brussels
- Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE): On April 14, the European Parliament's Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Joint SEDE-ITRE: The Implementation of the 2026-2027 European Defence Industry Programme Work Programme: capability priority projects, with Francois Arbault, Director for Defence Industrial Programmes (DG for Defence Industry and Space, European Commission).
- Committee on Culture and Education (CULT): On April 15, the European Parliament's Committee on Culture and Education (CULT) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Chair’s announcements; Coordinators’ meeting; Date of next meetings.
- Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE): On April 15, the European Parliament's Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Chair’s announcements; Date of next meetings; Establishing the Connecting Europe Facility for the period 2028-2034, amending Regulation (EU) 2024/1679 and repealing Regulation (EU) 2021/1153.
- Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE): On April 15, the European Parliament's Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Advanced manufacturing as a strategic sector for the EU; Amending Regulation (EU) 2024/1252; Chair’s announcements.
- Committee on Culture and Education (CULT): On April 16, the European Parliament's Committee on Culture and Education (CULT) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Chair’s announcements; Coordinators’ meeting; Date of next meetings.
- Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE): On April 16, the European Parliament's Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: Advanced manufacturing as a strategic sector for the EU; Amending Regulation (EU) 2024/1252; Chair’s announcements.
EU Council
Education and Youth Ministers Discuss Erasmus+, AI in Teaching
The Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council (Education and Youth configuration) convened on 11 May 2026. Ministers examined the future of the Erasmus+ programme, the evolving role of teachers in the era of artificial intelligence, progress in the EU Youth Dialogue, and the youth-friendliness of both EU and national policies.
EP Committee Work
Committee on Budgets Reviews Multiannual Framework Programmes
The Committee on Budgets (BUDG) met on 8 April 2026 in Brussels to consider draft opinions and reports on key EU programmes for 2028-2034. Items included the draft report on the European Investment Bank Group’s annual report for 2025 (rapporteur Joachim Streit, Renew), and opinions on the Global Europe instrument (rapporteur Rasmus Andresen, Verts/ALE), the Association of Overseas Countries and Territories with the EU (rapporteur Bogdan Rzońca, ECR), and the Single Market and Customs Programme (rapporteur Danuše Nerudová, PPE). The committee also discussed the Connecting Europe Facility (rapporteur Janusz Lewandowski, PPE), the Erasmus+ programme (rapporteur Lucia Yar, Renew), Horizon Europe 2028-2034 (rapporteur Hélder Sousa Silva, PPE), and the Specific Programme implementing Horizon Europe (rapporteur Olivier Chastel, Renew). Members set deadlines for amendments and adopted several reports and opinions on budget items and building policy.
AGRI Committee Backs Multi-Actor Approach in Horizon Europe
The Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) met on 8-9 April 2026 to vote on several opinions and draft reports. Members adopted the committee’s opinion on the new Horizon Europe Framework Programme for 2028-2034 (rapporteur Bert-Jan Ruissen, ECR), which calls for long-term funding stability for agriculture and food security research, and a multi-actor approach to ensure on-farm applicability of research results. The committee also debated the strengthening of farmers’ position in the food supply chain (rapporteur Céline Imart, PPE), the CAP post-2027, and agri-food promotion policy. Additional topics included the EU Mission ‘A Soil Deal for Europe’ and the implications of the Middle East situation for EU agriculture.
SEDE Opinion: Horizon Europe Should Enable Defence Synergies
On 9 April 2026, the Committee on Security and Defence (SEDE) published its opinion on the proposal for a regulation establishing Horizon Europe 2028-2034. Rapporteur Costas Mavrides (S&D) argued for mechanisms to facilitate dual-use research and seamless transitions of technology from civilian to defence applications. The opinion proposes new articles introducing eligibility rules for dual-use projects, security screening, and reporting, as well as coordination with the European Competitiveness Fund. SEDE also recommends that dual-use calls focus on TRL 6 and above and that association of third countries be tightly controlled for security reasons.
REGI Opinion Calls for Cohesion Linkages in Horizon Europe
On 7 April 2026, the Committee on Regional Development (REGI) adopted its opinion on the Horizon Europe 2028-2034 proposal. Rapporteur Şerban Dimitrie Sturdza (PPE) advocated for stronger territorial integration, operational synergies with Cohesion Policy, and reinforced support for regional innovation ecosystems. The opinion seeks clearer alignment between Horizon Europe and smart specialisation strategies, as well as mechanisms to address participation gaps and foster brain circulation.
AGRI Opinion: Dedicated Budget Share for Agriculture in Horizon Europe
On 8 April 2026, the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) published its opinion on the Horizon Europe 2028-2034 regulation, with Bert-Jan Ruissen (ECR) as rapporteur. The opinion calls for maintaining at least the proportional share of funding for agriculture and food research compared to the previous framework, with a proposed ring-fencing of half the Chapter V budget for agriculture, food security, and bioeconomy. AGRI also recommends that the programme mandate multi-actor approaches, including farmers and end-users throughout the research cycle, and that project eligibility rules ensure on-farm applicability and practical dissemination.
What We're Reading This Week
- Choose Belgium webinar: Research Career Opportunities in Belgium: Belgian universities and institutions present diverse research career pathways and funding options for international scholars in an upcoming webinar.
- Choose Belgium webinar: Research Career Opportunities in Belgium: Belgian institutions highlight research career pathways and opportunities for international scholars through an informative webinar session.
- MSCA opens €399 million call for Postdoctoral Fellowships: Researchers across Europe can now apply for significant funding to support postdoctoral projects under the latest MSCA fellowship call.
- Adult education and training: More adults are pursuing education and training programs to adapt to changing job markets and advance their careers.
- National Reforms in Higher Education: Sweeping changes to higher education policy aim to improve access, quality, and alignment with workforce needs nationwide.
