This Week in Higher Ed — Brussels (#29, 2026)
Commission launches RAISE pledging for AI in research; EU adopts new harmonised standards for high-risk AI; Council discusses MFF 2028-2034.
October 12, 2026 to October 18, 2026
Commission launches RAISE pledging for AI in research; EU adopts new harmonised standards for high-risk AI; Council discusses MFF 2028-2034.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 🤝 EU Council
European Commission
Commission launches RAISE pledging initiative to boost AI support for researchers across Europe
The European Commission introduced the RAISE (Resource for AI Science in Europe) pledging initiative at the European AI in Science Summit 2026 in Dublin. RAISE seeks to mobilise private-sector and philanthropic contributions to enhance AI resources available to European researchers, supplementing public funding. Initial commitments came from organisations including the Novo Nordisk Foundation, Nvidia, Elsevier, Sanofi, Frontiers, Mistral, and Google DeepMind. A new partnership between Mistral AI and CERN was announced, aiming to develop what is intended to be the largest foundation model in physics. The initiative is part of the AI in Science Strategy, launched in October 2025, and is designed to connect scientific excellence with technological expertise. The RAISE Hub, Forum, and Observatory were also launched to provide integrated platforms for resources and collaboration. The Commission presented updated Living Guidelines on the Responsible Use of Generative AI in Research at the Summit.
Commission awards six projects making lasting contributions for Europe's cohesion at REGIOSTARS ceremony
Six EU-funded projects received recognition at the 2026 REGIOSTARS Awards in Brussels during the 24th European Week of Regions and Cities. Winners included projects in AI holopresence, green battery recycling, energy connectivity, violence prevention, community engagement, and precision oncology. The AI Holopresence project from Slovakia, in collaboration with Pavol Jozef Šafárik University and funded by the ERDF, enables photorealistic 3D human reconstruction for education and research. Other winners addressed battery recycling, natural gas infrastructure, gender equality, civic engagement, and cancer research, with funding from the ERDF and ESF. The Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (TU4C) in Portugal won the People's Choice Award for advancing precision oncology. The Awards highlight the impact of cohesion policy through innovation and inclusivity across European regions.
Statement by Executive Vice-President Mînzatu ahead of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
Executive Vice-President Mînzatu issued a statement on poverty, referencing the first EU Anti-Poverty Strategy adopted earlier in 2026. The strategy aims to reduce the number of people at risk of poverty and social exclusion by at least 15 million by 2030, following the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan. Implementation is underway, including measures to address housing exclusion and support for those facing barriers to the labour market. The Commission noted ongoing support from the European Social Fund Plus and forthcoming initiatives such as the Coalition against Poverty and the European Child Guarantee Card. A call was also launched to support national Child Guarantee action plans, with a focus on vulnerable groups including Roma youth.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/2274: Harmonised standards for high-risk AI systems
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/2274 of 12 October 2026 publishes the reference to harmonised standard EN 18286:2026 for high-risk AI systems under Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 (Artificial Intelligence Act). The standard, drafted by CEN and Cenelec, covers quality management systems for AI providers, including post-market monitoring. Compliance with this standard confers a presumption of conformity with essential requirements of the AI Act from the date of publication in the Official Journal.
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/2308: Registration of European citizens’ initiative on AI governance
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/2308 of 6 October 2026 registers the European citizens’ initiative 'Creation of a European Digital Space (.IA) for Sovereign AI Governance' under Regulation (EU) 2019/788. The initiative seeks an EU framework for high-trust digital spaces, negotiation for the .IA domain, and integration with eIDAS 2.0, the AI Act, and GDPR. The Decision notes that the initiative falls within the Commission’s powers under the Treaties and is represented by Eloy López Sánchez and Aristeidis Tsitiridis.
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/2275: Allocation of Union aid for school fruit, vegetables, and milk
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/2275 of 9 October 2026 amends Decision (EU) 2025/680 on Union aid allocations for school fruit, vegetables, and milk for the period from 1 August 2025 to 31 July 2026. The amendment reflects transfers notified by France and Portugal between allocations for fruit, vegetables, and milk.
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2246: Renewal of approval for hydrochloric acid in biocidal products
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2246 of 12 October 2026 renews the approval of hydrochloric acid for use in biocidal products of product-type 2 under Regulation (EU) No 528/2012. The renewal follows evaluation by the competent authority of Latvia and the opinion of the ECHA Biocidal Products Committee.
EU Council
General Affairs Council debates next Multiannual Financial Framework
On 13 October 2026, the General Affairs Council held a policy debate on the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028-2034. Ministers also discussed preparations for the October European Council and reviewed the rule of law situation in Hungary under the Article 7 procedure.
