Dear Colleagues,
I would like to bring to your attention the open call recently launched by the European Polar Board (EPB) and the European Polar Coordination Office (EPCO), urging EU decision-makers to secure dedicated polar research funding in the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF 2028–2034) under FP10.
What are the MFF and FP10?
The MFF is the EU’s long‑term budget, setting spending ceilings and priorities over seven‑year periods. The upcoming one will cover the period from 2028 to 2034.
FP10 (the 10th Framework Programme for Research & Innovation) is Horizon Europe’s successor; the EU’s flagship research programme running from January 2028 to 2034.
The February 11, 2025, MFF communication suggests no dedicated funding for FP10. The revised MFF communication will be published and discussed at the European Parliament in July 2025. Once the MFF is established, any research funding framework will need to operate within its financial and policy constraints.
Why this matters?
The EU is one of the world’s largest funders of polar research. Through the previous Framework Programmes, EU-funded research has provided essential knowledge and analysis. European researchers have delivered data, insights, and innovations that directly support EU goals; from maritime security and environmental protection to international cooperation and sustainable development. EU-funded projects have tracked sea ice retreat, monitored permafrost thaw, and explored ecosystem resilience in ways that no single nation could achieve alone.
However, it is not only about understanding the ice, the polar land, and the polar ocean. EU-funded research has helped develop early warning systems, assess infrastructure risks, and evaluate new shipping routes. It has strengthened our capacity to respond to emergencies in remote regions and to adapt agricultural and fisheries policies to changing global conditions. Much of this knowledge has been directly referenced in EU strategies, including the Arctic Policy, the European Green Deal, and Horizon Europe Missions.
The EU investment in Polar Research has positioned Europe as a key voice in international polar governance and scientific diplomacy, enabling the EU and its Member States to contribute actively to global forums with a solid scientific foundation. No other national initiative worldwide can unite the best minds across countries like the EU's sustained funding for polar research. Without continued, structured investment for Polar Research under FP10, this knowledge pipeline risks breaking down.
Timing is tight: The MFF will be discussed at the European Parliament in July 2025. The MFF must be adopted by unanimity by the 27 EU Member States in the Council, after obtaining the consent of the European Parliament in July 2025.
How you can help:
- Sign & endorse our 1‑page open call.
- Share it with colleagues and partners in Europe and beyond to support a long-term, sustainable EU commitment to Polar Research.
In parallel to our open call, EPB is preparing a concise three-page document to be sent to Members of the European Parliament, the President of the European Commission, and other key authorities. It will make the case for continued EU funding for Polar Research under FP10 by showcasing the EU’s global leadership, policy impact, and the pressing research needs identified by projects such as EU-PolarNet. The document will also demonstrate that the European Polar Research Community is ready to respond if sustained EU support is secured. It will be shared in late May/early June, alongside our open call. The more signatures our call gathers, the stronger our message will be.
You can find the link to sign our online open call at the bottom of this page and also here: Secure Europe’s leadership in Polar Research by targeted investments in FP10 - Sign the open call
Thank you for your support.
Best Regards,
Dr. Maria Grigoratou
Executive Secretary of the European Polar Board