POLICY NEWS
The European Commission has released the final General-Purpose AI Code of Practice, a voluntary framework to help model providers comply with the upcoming AI Act. Co-developed with input from over 1,000 stakeholders, the Code covers transparency, copyright, and systemic risk management for advanced models. It will support compliance ahead of the AI Act’s general-purpose model rules taking effect on 2 August 2025. Voluntary signatories will benefit from reduced administrative burden and greater legal clarity. Read more here.
The European Commission (DG CONNECT) invites universities, research institutions, and other stakeholders to apply for the new AI Act Advisory Forum. The Forum will provide technical advice on implementing the EU AI Act and include up to 200 experts from academia, civil society, and industry. Applications are open until 14 September 2025. Read more here.
The European Commission unveiled its draft proposal for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) covering the period 2028–2034. The proposed budget amounts to nearly €2 trillion, representing 1.26% of the EU’s Gross National Income. The Commission aims to reform the EU budget to make it more efficient, flexible, and targeted. To finance this modernised budget, the proposal includes both the introduction of new own resources and a revision of existing ones -expected to generate up to €58.5 billion annually, easing pressure on national budgets. Find more here.
The EU has launched the European Competitiveness Fund to support breakthrough technologies and strengthen the internal market—following recommendations from the Letta and Draghi reports. The fund streamlines access to EU financing through unified rules and a single entry point, targeting investments in four key areas: Green transformation and decarbonisation, Digital transformation, Health, biotechnology, agriculture, and bioeconomy, and Defence and space. By effectively combining public and private capital, the fund aims to maximise the impact of every euro invested. Read the proposal more here.
On 16 July 2025, the EC published its proposal for the FP10 (2028-2034), which will continue under the name Horizon Europe. The programme is set to be funded with €175 billion and will be structured around four pillars: Excellent Science, Competitiveness & Society, Innovation, and European Research Area As in the current programme, both research and innovation projects will be supported, with no major changes to participation rules, funding conditions, or success rates. Support for collaborative projects, as well as individual researchers and companies, will remain a core feature. Read the proposal here.
The European Commission has launched a public consultation on the upcoming Gender Equality Strategy 2026–2030. You can submit your feedback until Monday, 11 August. The strategy outlines long-term priorities and actions to advance gender equality in research and innovation, building on the achievements of the Gender Equality Strategy 2020-2025. Read more here.
