Annual report on EU science, research and innovation performance defines challenges in a time of increasingly tense geopolitics

The EU must make research and innovation a "collective priority", Mario Draghi said on Friday as he outlined some of the key points from his highly anticipated report on EU competitiveness, set to be submitted to the Commission next month.

A number of European universities are ending their ties with Israel over the war in Gaza, including in existing Horizon Europe projects, prompting Israel's science minister to hold talks with the country's research leaders over how to retain scientific links with Europe.

Swiss and EU negotiators are aiming to reach agreement on Horizon Europe association in the summer, which should allow full access to the programme for calls in 2025.

May 2024 marks 20 years since the EU's largest single enlargement, when 10 countries joined. The data show that great progress has been made in improving research and innovation systems in that time, with more public money being pumped in, more international scientific collaboration, and more private investment.

Wellcome, Gates and Novo Nordisk foundations will support research into the health impacts of climate change, infectious diseases and nutrition.

The research minister is calling for a review of university collaborations with China. Science organisations point to a lack of regulations and warn over potential red lines.