State of AI 2025: Five Key Charts for Europeans
The US is now supremely dominant in terms of private investment and compute capacity. But Chinese open models are leading the way.
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MEPs Put Europe's Innovation Gap on FP10 Agenda
Members of the European Parliament's industry and research committee have defended the need for a Widening programme in Horizon Europe after 2027, but also noted that member states should take more responsibility for lagging national R&D expenditures and make better use of EU structural funds.
Establish an 'ERC for Labs', Says Economics Nobel Prize Winner
The EU should establish a European Research Council (ERC) equivalent to give long-term support to research labs, one of the winners of this year's Nobel Prize for economics has argued.French economist Philippe Aghion was awarded the prize on October 13 for his work that argues economic growth relies on "creative destruction", with new more innovative firms pushing out old ones.
Why Sorbonne Pulled out of University Ranking
Sorbonne University plans to leave the Times Higher Education Rankings. According to its president, most of these rankings are "black boxes" whose methods raise ethical questions.
Scientists Urged to Demand Independent Governance in Horizon Europe
The chair of an expert group charged with advising the European Commission on the next Framework Programme for research and innovation has called for a campaign of "scientific activism" to implement independent governance models across the programme.
Europe Stands at a Crossroads
Universities remain the backbone of social and technological progress. However, not everybody in Europe understands the power and strength of basic science and its importance for the future progress of the continent.
Research Ministers Confident of Role in Horizon Europe Negotiations
EU research ministers do not expect to have a reduced role during negotiations on the future Horizon Europe programme, despite Council plans to assign parts of it to finance ministers via the ad hoc working party on the next multiannual EU budget.
Japan Moving Towards Horizon Europe Association
Japan is edging closer to signing off on a deal to join the EU's €93.5 billion Horizon Europe research and innovation programme, with research Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva flying to the country on 2 October to continue talks.
Global Research Collaboration with Israel Sharply Down This Year
Global Research Collaboration with Israel Sharply Down This Year
Significantly fewer academics, particularly in Europe, are authoring preprints with researchers in Israel this year, a sign that academic boycotts could be starting to scientifically isolate the country.
What Can Europe and Its Universities Do to Halt the Erosion of Academic Freedom?
What Can Europe and Its Universities Do to Halt the Erosion of Academic Freedom?
Much has been said and written about the global decline of academic freedom in recent years. But the warning bells have now turned into emergency sirens.
Amid Gaza War, Debate Intensifies: is It Wrong to Collaborate with Israeli Universities?
Parliament Divided over Dual Use in Next EU Research Programme
Parliament Divided over Dual Use in Next EU Research Programme
Divisions are growing within the European Parliament over plans to let research and innovation projects with civilian and defence applications apply for funding in the next EU Framework Programme.
Single Rulebook for EU Research Funding Risks 'Death' by Inflexibility, Warns ERC President
Single Rulebook for EU Research Funding Risks 'Death' by Inflexibility, Warns ERC President
A European Commission plan to standardise administrative processes for EU research funding could spell "death," the president of the European Research Council (ERC) has warned. Maria Leptin said that different EU research bodies had different aims and so need flexibility. Standardising their contracts, for example, could put them in a straitjacket.
Australia and EU Launch Exploratory Talks for Horizon Europe Association
Australia and EU Launch Exploratory Talks for Horizon Europe Association
Exploratory talks that would lead to Australia associating to Horizon Europe were announced by the European Commission on September 10.
Emerging Council Plans Could Shake Up FP10
Just two months after the European Commission published its proposal for the next multiannual EU budget, which included the tenth Framework Programme for research and innovation (FP10) and a new European Competitiveness Fund (ECF), details are already changing.
Europe's Independence Hinges on Innovation
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen placed competitiveness, research and innovation at the heart of her annual State of the European Union address, arguing that Europe's "independence will depend on its ability to compete in today's turbulent times." "We have seen how dependencies can be used against us," she said. "This is why we will massively invest in digital and clean tech."
The Road to FP10 is Paved with Missing Details
Brussels research lobbies, together with leading MEP Christian Ehler, are calling for more detail and clarity about the European Commission's €175 billion plan for the tenth Framework Programme (FP10).
Switzerland and EU Insist on the Benefits of Horizon Europe Association, As Potential for New Disruption Looms
Switzerland and EU Insist on the Benefits of Horizon Europe Association, As Potential for New Disruption Looms
On the eve of officially signing Switzerland's late association with Horizon Europe, both sides are thinking about how to avoid renewed disruption when a new set of bilateral accords is brought forward next year.
Nobel Laureate Calls for Tighter Focus in EU Research Funding
Europe is undermining its own innovation potential by spreading research funding too thinly, according to Nobel Prize-winning economist Jean Tirole."Only 5% [of the Framework Programme annual budget] goes to disruptive research. That's very little money. It's almost nothing," he said, speaking at the annual gathering of Nobel laureates and young scientists in Lindau, Germany, on August 26.
Political Extremism Creates 'Climate of Anxiety' for Scientists
The rise of populism and anti-science rhetoric in some regions of Europe is demoralising researchers and innovators, and creating a "climate of anxiety" that makes scientific discovery more difficult, according to a study published this month.
Belgian Universities Renew Call to Suspend Israel from Horizon Europe
Belgian university rectors have repeated their call to suspend Israel from the EU's Horizon Europe research and innovation programme. In its war in Gaza, Israel has failed to honour its association agreement with the EU, the rectors argue, which states that both parties must respect human rights.
Science|Business Summer Reads of 2025
The EU science policy world is still digesting last month's proposals for the next €175 billion Framework Programme, plans that have set in motion years of haggling over budgets, regulation clauses and committee makeups. But as Brussels empties for August, and the research bubble decamps to the Riviera, Alps or somewhere further afield, it's a good time to take a step back and ask: what is all this policymaking and funding for? What kind of scientific and technological future do we want?
What's Coming Up in Research Policy in the Second Half of 2025?
So far, 2025 has seen a flurry of policy initiatives as the new European Commission got down to work. August offers a moment to pause and reflect ahead of a busy autumn.
How the US Fails at Science Diplomacy, but Could Do Better
How the US Fails at Science Diplomacy, but Could Do Better
The country is lagging behind the EU and China as a reliable research partner. But this can be fixed.
Experts Defend ERC from Commission Overreach in FP10
The European Commission's push to exert more control over the European Research Council (ERC) risks undermining one of the EU's most successful scientific institutions, policy experts warn.
Germany and Other EU States Stall Scientific Sanctions Against Israel
Germany and Other EU States Stall Scientific Sanctions Against Israel
EU governments have not yet agreed to back proposals by the European Commission to suspend Israel from part of Horizon Europe, as alarm grows in Europe at mass famine in Gaza.
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