Madrid, 13 May 2026. The Conference of Rectors of Spanish Universities (CRUE) has issued a position statement expressing its concern over the amendments introduced in the draft report of the European Parliament’s ITRE Committee on the future European Competitiveness Fund (ECF), warning that they could reduce the visibility and explicit recognition of higher education and the European Universities Alliances within this new European instrument.
In the document, CRUE stresses that universities are essential actors within Europe’s knowledge, research and innovation ecosystem and highlights the strategic role played by the European Universities Alliances in strengthening the European Education, Research and Innovation Area. The statement also underlines the importance of preserving Erasmus+ as the central framework for mobility and university cooperation in Europe.
In line with other declarations supported together with European university stakeholders and national rectors’ conferences, CRUE also supports ambitious funding under the next European Multiannual Financial Framework, including €220 billion for FP10 and €60 billion for Erasmus+.
CRUE further calls on Spanish Members of the European Parliament and the relevant European institutions to maintain the references to higher education and the European Universities Alliances included in the European Commission’s original proposal for the ECF.
