This Week in Higher Ed — Brussels (#17, 2026)
Commission approves Austria's NextGenEU payment; EUI 50th anniversary marked; EMPL backs social security reforms; CULT examines creative freedom.
May 03, 2026 to May 09, 2026
Commission approves Austria's NextGenEU payment; EUI 50th anniversary marked; EMPL backs social security reforms; CULT examines creative freedom.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 📅 This Week's Calendar in Brussels
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• 🤝 EU Council
• ✒️ EP Committee Work
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
This Week's Calendar in Brussels
- Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council (Education and Youth): On May 11, the EU Council's Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council (Education and Youth) configuration is scheduled to hold an ministerial meeting in Brussels.
- Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council (Culture and Sport): On May 12, the EU Council's Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council (Culture and Sport) configuration is scheduled to hold an ministerial meeting in Brussels.
European Commission
Commission approves Austria's fourth NextGenerationEU payment request
On 6 May 2026, the European Commission announced its positive assessment of Austria's fourth payment request under the Recovery and Resilience Facility, amounting to €325 million. This funding supports measures across the green transition, including installation of 17,800 photovoltaic systems and the purchase of zero emission buses, as well as digitisation in education and research infrastructure at universities. The payment request reflects the completion of nine milestones and eight targets, with Austria now having fulfilled 89% of all milestones in its recovery and resilience plan. The Commission's preliminary assessment has been sent to the Council's Economic and Financial Committee for opinion. Following the committee's response and a formal decision, the payout will proceed, bringing Austria's total disbursement under the Facility to €3.66 billion.
President von der Leyen addresses the 50th Anniversary of the European University Institute
On 6 May 2026, President Ursula von der Leyen delivered a video message for the European University Institute's 50th anniversary. She reflected on the EUI's founding during a period of significant European transformation and its contributions to research and policy. Von der Leyen underlined the ongoing relevance of academic institutions in supporting Europe's independence and global competitiveness. She referenced the €900 million Choose Europe initiative, which has increased international applications for European Research Council grants. The address also mentioned the EUI's role in fostering expertise across social and natural sciences, connecting policy and academia.
Payments under NextGenerationEU surpass €400 billion
The European Commission announced on 4 May 2026 that total disbursements under NextGenerationEU have surpassed €400 billion, following new payments of €4.6 billion to Germany and €1.25 billion to Slovakia. Germany's third payment supports digital public administration and energy-efficient infrastructure, while Slovakia's sixth and seventh payments target pre-primary education reforms and innovation funding. Member States must complete remaining milestones by August 2026, with final payment requests due by September 2026. The Commission reports that the Recovery and Resilience Facility continues to play a central role in supporting climate, digital transition, and research infrastructure.
EU and Japan advance digital and research collaboration
On 4 May 2026, the EU and Japan agreed to deepen cooperation on artificial intelligence, quantum computing, data governance, and semiconductors at the Digital Partnership Council in Brussels. The meeting included Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen for the Commission and Japanese ministers. New initiatives include a Data Strategy Working Group and the expansion of EU adequacy decisions for research data flows. Both parties highlighted the future association of Japan to Horizon Europe and the launch of joint research projects on quantum technologies and 6G. The next Digital Partnership Council meeting is scheduled for 2027 in Tokyo.
EU and Jordan sign €135 million agreements for education and skills
On 6 May 2026, Commissioner Dubravka Šuica signed €135 million in financing agreements with Jordan during an official visit to Amman. The agreements include €30 million for technical and vocational education and training, supporting youth skills and inclusion, and €80 million for assistance to Syrian refugees and host communities. The funding is part of the EU-Jordan Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership established in January 2025, under which the EU has pledged €3 billion for 2025–2027. Further support will expand digital infrastructure, including the Aqaba Digital Hub.
Commission and UK announce negotiations on innovation fund participation
On 3 May 2026, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer met at the European Political Community summit in Armenia. They discussed UK participation in the EU's €90 billion Ukraine loan and agreed to launch negotiations on the UK's involvement in the European Innovation Council Fund and the Scaleup Europe Fund. The statement noted ongoing cooperation in research and innovation and preparations for the upcoming EU-UK summit.
EU Council
Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council discusses Erasmus+ and AI in teaching
On 11 May 2026, EU ministers convened in the Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council (Education and Youth configuration) to discuss topics including the future of the Erasmus+ programme, the evolving role of teachers in the era of artificial intelligence, the EU Youth Dialogue, and the youth-friendliness of EU and national policies.
EP Committee Work
EMPL Committee adopts opinion on the European Competitiveness Fund proposal
On 6 May 2026, the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) adopted its opinion on the proposal for a regulation establishing the European Competitiveness Fund ('ECF'), including the specific programme for defence research and innovation activities. The rapporteur for the opinion is Grégory Allione (Renew). The opinion addresses aspects of employment, social affairs, and the impact of innovation funding on the labour market.
CULT Committee hosts hearing on Audiovisual Policy and Creative Freedom
On 5 May 2026, the Committee on Culture and Education (CULT) held a public hearing titled 'The Audiovisual Policy Framework and the Future of Creative Freedom.' The hearing featured contributions from Professor Mark Cole (University of Luxembourg), Adeline Hulin (UNESCO), film producer Marta Krzeptowska, and filmmaker Tarik Saleh. The session explored regulatory and creative challenges in the audiovisual sector.
What We're Reading This Week
- EU F&T Portal: Researchers and organizations can now access streamlined funding and tender opportunities through the European Union's centralized online portal.
- EU F&T Portal: Researchers and businesses can now access EU funding opportunities and manage project applications through the unified F&T Portal platform.
- EU F&T Portal: EU launches an online portal to streamline funding and tenders applications for businesses, researchers, and public bodies.
- EU Funding & Tenders Portal: EU launches a centralized portal to streamline access to funding opportunities and tender applications for businesses and organizations.
- EU Funding & Tenders Portal: Researchers and businesses can now access and apply for EU grants and procurement opportunities through a centralized online platform.
