ERRIN'S spring annual general meeting 2026: Taking stock of the post-2027 funding landscape
On 25 June, ERRIN members and regional stakeholders from across Europe gathered in Brussels for the network's Spring Annual General Meeting (AGM). The event was a chance to take stock of the network's achievements over the first half of 2026, reaffirm shared priorities, and discuss what the post-2027 EU research and innovation funding landscape will mean for Europe's territories.
FORMAL BUSINESS AND STRATEGIC UPDATES
During the formal business of the AGM, chaired by ERRIN Management Board Co-Chair Vendula Nováčková, members voted to approve the 2025 audited accounts and the 2026 budget presented by Teresa Vio. Find the documents on the event page.
Pirita Lindholm, ERRIN Director, together with the ERRIN Team, then delivered the Secretariat's update, welcoming new ERRIN members and sharing an analysis of member engagement across the network. The update also covered:
- A mid-year report from the ERRIN clusters
- An update on ERRIN's new projects in 2026
- ERRIN's ongoing policy work on the EU's long-term budget 2028-2034, including Smart Specialisation and National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRPPs), the future Horizon Europe (2028-2034) and the European Competitiveness Fund (ECF)
- The role of the EU Missions and how support for them can be carried across both FP10 and the ECF
- Developments from the Net-Zero Industry Act to the Industrial Acceleration Act
- ERRIN's engagement with the ERA Policy Agenda 2025-2027
UPDATES FROM THE ERRING MANAGEMENT BOARD
Board members also shared updates on the network's priorities ahead. Joanna Kubiak outlined the Board's work across the MFF proposals, with a focus on Horizon Europe and the European Competitiveness Fund, including closer contacts with MEPs and attachés and using the network's Working Groups to mobilise members around the advocacy ahead.
Lucia Huertas Suanzes introduced security and defence as a new priority area, presenting the work of a Management Board Task Force set up to develop ERRIN's strategy on the topic, with a strategy document currently in progress.
Pieter Faber reflected on the network's responsibility to look further ahead, noting that it is important to get prepared for the changing funding landscape starting from 2028.
NETWORKING RECEPTION FOCUSING ON THE TERRITORIAL DIMENSION OF THE EU'S RESEARCH AND INNOVATION FUNDING LANDSCAPE POST-2027
Following the formal proceedings, ERRIN members and their regional stakeholders gathered at the Nordic House for the Spring Reception, an evening that paired networking with a bit of playfulness, as cocktails named after ERRIN's key policy priorities set the tone for conversations on the territorial dimension of EU R&I funding post-2027.
The reception also featured MEP Eszter Lakos, who joined together with Karolina Dutkiewicz. In her address, Eszter spoke warmly of ERRIN as a trusted partner for the European Parliament, reflecting on the network's work across widening, regional ecosystems and the EU Missions, before looking forward to continuing that collaboration in the months ahead.
As the post-2027 negotiations progress, ERRIN will continue to bring its members' voices to the table, ensuring the territorial dimension remains firmly on the agenda.
Stay tuned for updates on how the network's advocacy work develops over the coming months!