The European Commission is calling on researchers, industry, Member States/Associated Countries and the wider public to help shape the future of European Partnerships in research and innovation.
To support this process, the Commission has launched a public consultation on the future Single Basic Act (SBA) for Joint Undertakings (JUs), Article 185 initiatives and thematic priorities for the European Partnership portfolio under Horizon Europe (HE) 28-34. Open to everyone, the consultation aims to collect views and evidence on how Treaty-based partnerships can be strengthened to boost EU competitiveness, mobilise investment and support the full innovation-to-investment journey. It also includes a set of questions on the partnership portfolio in HE 28-34, beyond JUs and Article 185 initiatives.
The consultation is being conducted in the context of the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), and in particular the next EU research and innovation programme 2028-2034 in which Treaty-based European Partnerships play a vital role.
The future SBA aims to make JUs more accessible and open, leverage private R&I investment, increase critical mass and target coordinated efforts at EU strategic priorities. Crucially, the initiative also seeks to align JUs with the European Competitiveness Fund (ECF), ensuring that EU R&I investment covers the entire journey from basic research to industrialisation and market uptake.
The consultation will close on 16 October 2026.