European Commission Proposes Record €6.7 Billion Euratom Budget With Major Boost for Fusion Energy

On 3 September, the European Commission unveiled its proposal for the next Euratom research programme (2028–2032), setting a budget of €6.7 billion – a significant increase compared to the current €1.98 billion. The proposal forms part of the EU’s next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and will cover a five-year period starting in 2028.

The lion’s share will go to fusion energy, with €5.4 billion allocated, including €4 billion for the ITER project and €1.3 billion to support European fusion research, innovation, and industry development.  The remaining €760 million will support work at the Commission’s in-house science service, the Joint Research Centre.  

The next Euratom research programme will also complement Horizon Europe’s action for the development of the proposed ‘Moonshot Fusion’ programme, aimed at overcoming the scientific, engineering, and technological challenges to the deployment of fusion energy in the EU. Together, these proposals underline that fusion energy is increasingly seen as a strategic asset for Europe’s energy security and decarbonisation goals.

The Euratom budget will now be negotiated by EU Member States and the European Parliament as part of the wider MFF negotiations, with the final programme likely to evolve in coming months. The Fusion Industry Association will continue to closely monitor this process and highlight the importance of maintaining ambition. With fusion positioned as a potential game-changer for Europe’s net-zero trajectory, ensuring that this momentum translates into opportunities for innovation and industrial growth is key.

Below is the proposal.

September 15, 2025