This Week in Higher Ed — Brussels (#29, 2026)
Commission increases Horizon Europe budget; €210m boost for MSCA; new Commission report on EU innovation; NextGenerationEU payments to five Member States; Decisions on biocidal products for cultural heritage.
September 28, 2026 to October 04, 2026
Commission increases Horizon Europe budget; €210m boost for MSCA; new Commission report on EU innovation; NextGenerationEU payments to five Member States; Decisions on biocidal products for cultural heritage.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 📅 This Week's Calendar in Brussels
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 🤝 EU Council
This Week's Calendar in Brussels
- Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE): On October 08, the European Parliament's Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) is scheduled to meet. Agenda includes: * * *; Amending Directive (EU) 2022/2555 as regards simplification measures and alignment with the [Proposal for the Cybersecurity Act 2]; Amending Directives (EU) 2018/2001, (EU) 2019/944, (EU) 2024/1788 as regards acceleration of permit-granting procedures.
European Commission
Commission delivers more than €210 million to support over 700 researchers to build their careers in Europe
On 30 September 2026, the European Commission announced an additional €210 million for the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), increasing opportunities for over 700 researchers in Europe. President Ursula von der Leyen and Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva presented the funding at the 'Celebrating 30 years of MSCA' event in Brussels. The amended Horizon Europe Work Programme 2026-2027 was adopted on 29 September, raising the budgets for MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships and Doctoral Networks to their highest levels since inception. The 2026 MSCA call attracted 21,627 applications, the most in 40 years of EU research funding. For 2027, Postdoctoral Fellowships will have €459 million and Doctoral Networks €645 million, potentially supporting over 3,800 researchers. The Commission also launched a new interactive publication showcasing MSCA stories and achievements.
Poland, Sweden, Belgium, Estonia and Cyprus receive more than €9.8 billion under NextGenerationEU
On 30 September 2026, the Commission disbursed more than €9.8 billion in Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) funds to Poland, Sweden, Belgium, Estonia, and Cyprus. These payments follow successful completion of milestones and targets in each national plan. Poland received €7.9 billion, supporting reforms in education, public transport, and energy infrastructure. Sweden received €1.47 billion for green transition, higher education, and housing. Belgium received €225 million for public transport and energy-efficient housing. Estonia received €135 million for health care and digital infrastructure. Cyprus received nearly €120 million for education, health data, and renewable energy at the University of Cyprus. All reforms and investments under the RRF had to be completed by 31 August 2026.
Europe must scale up research and innovation to remain competitive, new Commission report says
The European Commission published the 2026 Science, Research and Innovation Performance report on 30 September, assessing the EU's research landscape. The EU remains a global scientific leader, with 57% of publications involving international collaboration. The report identifies four challenges: investment shortfall (€560 billion to reach 3% GDP R&D target by 2030), fragmentation across regions, bottlenecks in scaling innovation, and global competition in strategic technologies. The Commission is preparing a European Research Area Act and a European Innovation Act to address these issues. Initiatives such as Choose Europe aim to attract talent and retain leadership in strategic sectors. The launch event was held in Brussels.
EU support to research and innovation increases with additional €500 million for research programme Horizon Europe
On 28 September 2026, the European Commission allocated an extra €500 million to Horizon Europe for 2026 and 2027, raising the two-year budget to about €14.8 billion. New cross-cutting calls will address digital platforms for energy and skills for SMEs, as well as biodiversity impacts. The 'Nature-Positive Economy and Society' call has €227 million, and 'Bridging Actions 2027' has €260 million. These calls support EU biodiversity targets and prepare for Horizon Europe 2028-2034. Monitoring reports show 55% of Horizon Europe beneficiaries are newcomers, and over 151,000 early career researchers have been supported since 2021. The New European Bauhaus Facility will launch new testbeds and skill development initiatives.
Commission greenlights France's final payment request of €6.1 billion under NextGenerationEU
On 28 September 2026, the Commission assessed France's fifth and final payment request under the Recovery and Resilience Facility, totaling €6.1 billion. This completes France's €40.3 billion allocation, covering reforms and investments in transport, hydrogen, digital public services, cultural heritage, hospitals, and energy renovations. Flagship measures include renovating over 1,000 public buildings and nearly 400,000 private homes, certifying occupational health and safety services, and restoring more than 140 national monuments. The Economic and Financial Committee will review the preliminary assessment before the Commission finalizes the payment decision.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Commission Decision (EU) 2026/2209 amending Commission Decision 2008/312/Euratom establishing the standard document for supervision of shipments of radioactive waste and spent fuel
Published in OJ L on 2 October 2026, Commission Decision (EU) 2026/2209 amends Decision 2008/312/Euratom to update the standard document for monitoring shipments under Directive 2006/117/Euratom. The amendment introduces the authorisation registration number (ARN) for return shipments, enhancing traceability and verification. The new document sections replace previous formats for applications concerning radioactive waste and spent fuel.
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/2166 amending Implementing Decision 2013/700/EU setting up the European Social Survey as a European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ESS ERIC)
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/2166, published on 1 October 2026, amends the Statutes of the ESS ERIC established by Decision 2013/700/EU. The amendment follows a proposal submitted by ESS ERIC on 9 October 2025 and was assessed by the Commission under Regulation (EC) No 723/2009. The updated Statutes affect consortium members across 28 countries.
Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/2195 on the European Union Space Threat Response Architecture (STRA) and repealing Decision (CFSP) 2021/698
Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/2195, published 29 September 2026, establishes the STRA mechanism for responding to space threats. The Decision defines operational roles for the Council, High Representative, and Member States, and sets out a dedicated security toolbox. STRA replaces Decision 2021/698 and includes coordination with third States and international organisations such as NATO.
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/2142 allowing Italy to authorise a biocidal product containing sulfuryl fluoride for the protection of cultural heritage
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/2142, published 29 September 2026, allows Italy to authorise the biocidal product 'Vikane' containing sulfuryl fluoride for large-scale, non-movable cultural heritage objects with wooden parts until 30 September 2031. The Decision responds to Italy's application for a derogation under Regulation (EU) No 528/2012, citing the absence of appropriate alternatives.
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/2150 allowing Czechia to authorise biocidal products containing ethylene oxide for the protection of cultural heritage
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/2150, published 29 September 2026, permits Czechia to authorise biocidal products with ethylene oxide for cultural heritage protection until 31 July 2031. The Decision is based on Czechia's application under Regulation (EU) No 528/2012, with justification of efficacy and lack of alternatives.
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/2153 allowing Slovakia to authorise biocidal products containing ethylene oxide for the protection of cultural heritage
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/2153, published 29 September 2026, authorises Slovakia to allow biocidal products containing ethylene oxide for cultural heritage preservation until 31 July 2031. The Decision follows Slovakia's request for a derogation under Regulation (EU) No 528/2012.
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/2125 allowing Latvia to authorise biocidal products containing ethylene oxide for the protection of cultural heritage
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/2125, published 28 September 2026, allows Latvia to authorise biocidal products with ethylene oxide for archive materials until 31 July 2031. The Decision is based on Latvia's application under Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 and the absence of effective alternatives.
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/2132 allowing France to authorise biocidal products containing ethylene oxide for the protection of cultural heritage
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/2132, published 28 September 2026, enables France to authorise biocidal products with ethylene oxide for archive protection until 31 July 2031. The Decision follows France's application for a derogation under Regulation (EU) No 528/2012.
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/2146 allowing Poland to authorise biocidal products containing ethylene oxide for the protection of cultural heritage
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/2146, published 28 September 2026, permits Poland to authorise biocidal products containing ethylene oxide for cultural heritage, including archive materials, until 31 July 2031. Poland's application cited efficacy and lack of alternatives under Regulation (EU) No 528/2012.
EU Council
Upcoming Informal meeting of ministers for development (Foreign Affairs Council)
Ministers for development will meet informally under the Foreign Affairs Council configuration on 8 October 2026.
