A leaked EU competitiveness strategy is prompting fears that Brussels intends to undermine the independence of the European Research Council by pushing for more alignment with the European Innovation Council and the EU's broader political goals.

Leaked draft work programme for health cluster sets out priorities and foresees significant budget increase
 

The EU's panel of science advisers has called for more research into geoengineering, to understand the feasibility - and potential risks - of trying to block out the sun to cool a warming earth. 

The CESAER university association is calling on the European Commission to pilot a 'Choose Europe for a research career' programme to tackle brain drain and precarity in research careers. 

How can Europe translate research into innovation? 

"Radicalisation and extremism" and the rise of autocracies are a focus of next year’s draft work programme.

Worries are mounting in Europe after Donald Trump won a second term in the White House, with the EU scrambling to chart a future in which it is less dependent on the US for defence and technology.

An independent expert report on the EU’s Framework Programmes for research and innovation recommends major role for research funding and a restructuring of funding mechanisms.

The European Commission is making moves to bundle all research and innovation funds into a new mega competitiveness fund that would be launched under the new multiannual budget due to start in 2028.

Renewing agreement would be in “mutual interest”, Commission says

With several portfolios of new EU commissioners touching on universities’ territory, there’s reason to be optimistic, writes Jan Palmowski

The former Italian prime minister wants more breakthrough innovation, using a radically different model.