ERRIN’s 2026 Annual Work Plans are out
We are excited to launch ERRIN's Annual Work Plans for 2026, outlining the upcoming activities and priorities of ERRIN's Working Groups and highlighting how members can actively engage in ERRIN’s activities throughout the year.
Each year, ERRIN's member-led Working Groups develop Annual Plans that define their strategic priorities and outline the planned activities and key objectives for the year ahead. The Work Plans follow ERRIN’s Cluster structure, bringing together the work of our Working Groups into broader Cluster Annual Work Plans. This integrated approach enhances collaboration and strategic coordination and fosters stronger connections between policy and projects, emphasising strategic issues going beyond sector specific priorities.
The Cluster Annual Plans are shaped by member feedback and designed to align with key EU priorities, initiatives and funding opportunities, ensuring ERRIN’s activities remain closely linked to the evolving EU R&I agenda.
ERRIN has anchored key initiatives of the European Commission’s 2026 Work Programme across its workstreams, enabling members to engage early in the development of new EU initiatives. Through targeted discussions and exchanges, members can share intelligence and provide concrete, evidence-based input while proposals are still taking shape.
2026 is set to be a decisive year for shaping the future of EU research and innovation policy and funding. As discussions on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028–2034 accelerate, ERRIN will further mobilise its network to influence the direction of EU funding instruments, including the future Framework Programme and the European Competitiveness Fund – both identified as key priorities in the 2025 ERRIN member survey. Across all Clusters, ERRIN will closely monitor and seek to influence the evolving MFF negotiations. It will be crucial for members to engage actively, contribute with their expertise and ensure that regional perspectives and evidence from R&I ecosystems feed directly into EU-level decision-making.
Updates to ERRIN's Working Group structure
In line with emerging member and EU priorities, ERRIN’s Working Group structure continues to evolve. In early 2025, a new Competitiveness Workstream was introduced under the Strategic Cluster, and as of 2026, the thematic Clusters underwent a targeted restructuring:
- The Energy and Climate Change Working Group has been renamed the Energy and Clean Transition Working Group, aligning with future Horizon Europe and European Competitiveness Fund terminology and emphasising EU leadership in clean transitions and industrial decarbonisation.
- Recognising climate adaptation and resilience as long-term strategic priorities for members, the former Climate Adaptation Task Force has transitioned into a Climate Adaptation and Resilience Working Group.
- In response to the growing relevance of the New European Bauhaus (NEB), the NEB Task Force has merged with the Design and Creativity Working Group, forming the new NEB and Creativity Working Group.
- At the same time, Europe’s evolving geopolitical context and competitiveness challenges are bringing resilience, security and defence further into focus. Together with the Management Board and members, ERRIN is actively reflecting on how to further integrate these dimensions into its ongoing work.
A dynamic and strategically important year lies ahead. From policy dialogues and project development to mutual learning and strategic partnerships, the plans outline a rich and ambitious agenda for 2026. With the combined intelligence, networks and expertise of active members, ERRIN is well placed to make 2026 another impactful year for shaping Europe’s research and innovation future.
Explore the wealth of activities we have planned in the Cluster Annual Plans here and get engaged.
Read the ERRIN Year in Review 2025 to get an overview of the key highlights of our numerous actives and initiatives in 2025.
Online launch of ERRIN's Cluster Annual plans ǀ 20 February ǀ 10:00–11:30 CET
Join us on for the online launch of the Cluster Annual Plans on 20 February, where you will get an overview of the key workstreams and planned activities for 2026, explore opportunities for member engagement, and take part in an interactive Q&A session to ask questions and share input. Register here.