Revamping the Coal and Steel Research Fund: €200 M for 2027‑29 and Clean‑Tech Projects

What the document is about
The European Union is preparing a new Council Decision that will replace the old rules that run the Research Fund for Coal and Steel (RFCS). The decision is meant to make the fund easier to use, give it more money, and use the remaining assets of the former European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) to support research that helps the coal and steel sectors transition to a low‑carbon future.

How the problem is being solved

• The old decision (2003/76/EC and its amendments) is repealed and replaced by a new decision that:
• Sets a yearly budget of €200 million for the RFCS for 2027, 2028 and 2029 (and the remaining assets in 2030).
• Uses the €647 million of assets still held by the ECSC in liquidation at the end of 2026, plus any unspent money from earlier calls, to fund two bi‑annual calls for research and innovation projects from 2027 to 2030.
• Keeps the current split of funding – 27.2 % for coal‑related research and 72.8 % for steel‑related research – but allows the Commission to change the split in 2030 if needed.
• Simplifies the application process, increases the attractiveness of the calls, and aligns the RFCS with other EU policies such as the Competitiveness Compass, the Clean Industrial Deal, and the European Steel and Metals Action Plan.
• Gives the Commission the power to adopt delegated acts (within a four‑year period) to adjust the split of funding and to set technical guidelines for the programme.
• Requires the Commission to manage the assets, publish annual financial reports, and monitor the programme until 2030.

What changes will result

• The old Council Decision 2003/76/EC (and its amendments) will be repealed.
• A new decision will be adopted by the Council (qualified majority) and approved by the European Parliament.
• The RFCS will receive a larger, more predictable budget of €200 million per year for 2027‑2029, funded from the remaining ECSC assets and any unspent money.
• The programme will launch four new calls (two per year) for research and innovation projects, with a focus on near‑zero‑carbon steelmaking and the just transition of coal mines.
• The Commission will manage the assets, publish annual financial statements, and can adjust the coal/steel funding split in 2030.
• The decision will enter into force 20 days after it is published in the Official Journal of the European Union.