Promoting synergies between EU funding instruments is the best route to enhance support for dual use technologies

The European Commission has outlined, in a White Paper published in January 2024, as part of its European Economic Security Package, three options for enhancing support for research and development involving technologies with dual use potential. These are 1) to exploit synergies in existing programmes more, 2) to remove the exclusive focus on civil applications in the Framework Programme and 3) to develop a new instrument for dual use technology development.

In a statement released on 30 April 2024, LERU outlines how it would prefer option 1, exploiting synergies in existing programmes more. This would afford flexibility in responding to crises in a timely measure and would allow for participation of universities within those countries which are closely ideologically aligned with the EU, or which have specific ethical issues in doing military research.

LERU has many concerns over option 2, the removal of the ‘exclusively civil’ clause in the Framework Programme, yet understands that the boundaries between what has dual use potential and what doesn’t, is increasingly blurry – and removal of the exclusively civil focus of the Framework Programme would simply reflect a new reality. As such, LERU outlines several safeguards which should be added into the Programme should this be the European Commission’s preferred option.

LERU doesn’t see option 3, the development of a new instrument for dual use technology development, as being viable, as it is not clear what benefits this would bring over better exploiting synergies. Furthermore, it would be an additional instrument, in an already complex funding landscape, and would likely compete with FP10 for funding.

Kurt Deketelaere, Secretary-General of LERU, noted that

“in uncertain times, at times of health emergencies or at times of heightened geopolitical tensions, it is important that funding can be used in an effective manner to counter threats. However, we believe that this is best done by better exploiting synergies between existing programmes, rather than introducing new ones, or by altering programmes so that they lose their unique advantages. We are pleased that the European Commission have asked for feedback on these proposals and urge them to maintain a strong dialogue with universities so that funding instruments remain fit for purpose in these challenging and rapidly changing times.”