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Leaked EU Competitiveness Plan Prompts Concerns over ERC Independence

Leaked EU Competitiveness Plan Prompts Concerns over ERC Independence

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.

Experts Warn of Fragmentation in Global Collaboration for Innovation

Experts Warn of Fragmentation in Global Collaboration for Innovation

Global collaboration around innovation and technology is still growing, but the sector is at risk of fragmentation amid heightened competition, the World Economic Forum (WEF) has warned in its second annual Global Cooperation Barometer.

‘Absolutely Crucial’ to Increase ERC Budget in FP10

‘Absolutely Crucial’ to Increase ERC Budget in FP10

Czech Republic paper on Framework Programme 10 also criticises overly large projects and personnel costs

Swiss Association to Horizon Europe Faces Referendum Challenge by 2028

Swiss Association to Horizon Europe Faces Referendum Challenge by 2028

Switzerland could once again fall out of the EU's Horizon Europe research programme if voters reject a wider, underpinning deal in a likely 2026 or 2028 referendum, the leaders of the country's biggest research funding agency have warned. An overarching deal between Brussels and Bern expected this week should allow Swiss researchers to finally fully participate in Horizon Europe, after years of political squabbles locked them out of certain parts of the programme since it began in 2021. 

Step Up Geoengineering Research, EU Science Advisers Recommend

Step Up Geoengineering Research, EU Science Advisers Recommend

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. 

A Science Mega-programme is Taking Shape in the EU: What It Means for Researchers

A Science Mega-programme is Taking Shape in the EU: What It Means for Researchers

A new research commissioner will help to build the European Union's next massive science scheme - with a renewed focus on innovation.

Call to Integrate Social Sciences and Humanities in the EU Research Program FP10

Call to Integrate Social Sciences and Humanities in the EU Research Program FP10

More than a dozen research lobby groups are urging Brussels and EU member states to better integrate social sciences and humanities in the next Framework Programme, FP10, to bring these disciplines to bear on policy ambitions.

New EU Research Commissioner Sets Her Sights on Boosting Europe's Competitiveness

New EU Research Commissioner Sets Her Sights on Boosting Europe's Competitiveness

In her first public outing, new research commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva has called for "the courage to change approaches" and streamline research and innovation processes in a bid to boost Europe's competitiveness."Closing the innovation gap is at the centre of the new competitiveness compass, and it will guide the work of the new Commission," she told the European Partnership Stakeholder Forum.

As New Commission Takes the Reins, What Can We Expect for R&D?

As New Commission Takes the Reins, What Can We Expect for R&D?

After weeks of haggling among political groups, the European Parliament has finally approved a new team of commissioners, to be led by returning European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen. They will take office on 1 December.

Call for More EU Investment in R&D After Trump Win

Call for More EU Investment in R&D After Trump Win

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.

Draft Council Declaration Sets R&I Spending Target at 4% of GDP

Draft Council Declaration Sets R&I Spending Target at 4% of GDP

EU leaders are considering setting a target for public and private research and innovation spending to reach 4% of GDP, even as they cut national research budgets and show no signs of meeting the current 3% target.

Dual Use Research in FP10 Could Cause Problems for Associated Countries, Says EU's Chief Negotiator

Dual Use Research in FP10 Could Cause Problems for Associated Countries, Says EU's Chief Negotiator

Brussels is preparing to radically overhaul its research and innovation programmes and there's some concern that non-EU associated countries could be shut out by the proposed changes.  

Call for Dedicated Fund for Civil Security Research and Deployment

Call for Dedicated Fund for Civil Security Research and Deployment

Industry is calling on the EU to step up investment in civil security by setting up a new programme covering everything from research to procurement - which could mean moving existing research support out of Horizon Europe.

Commission Prepares to Bundle All Research and Innovation Money into Competitiveness Fund

Commission Prepares to Bundle All Research and Innovation Money into Competitiveness Fund

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.

Western Balkans Research Sector Looks for Closer Relations with EU

Western Balkans Research Sector Looks for Closer Relations with EU

Science ministers in the Western Balkans and the EU agreed to intensify collaboration in research and innovation at a meeting in Skopje last week, but researchers and stakeholders say underinvestment and political disagreements could hamper progress. With countries in the region currently going through the EU accession process, officials in Brussels have praised the Western Balkans for getting more and more involved in EU research collaborations.

EU Set to Extend Science and Tech Agreement with Ukraine

EU Set to Extend Science and Tech Agreement with Ukraine

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

Singapore 'Respects Human Rights' Claims the Commission in 'Sensitive' Horizon Europe Document

Singapore 'Respects Human Rights' Claims the Commission in 'Sensitive' Horizon Europe Document

The European Commission has talked up Singapore's record on democracy and human rights to member states to justify the city state's inclusion in the EU's Horizon Europe research and innovation programme.

EU Ministers Lobby Zaharieva to Keep Widening Going in FP10

EU Ministers Lobby Zaharieva to Keep Widening Going in FP10

Well ahead of a proposal by the European Commission for the next framework programme for research member states are haggling between "the friends of excellence" and countries with less-well developed research systems.

Recasting of EU Commission Roles Puts Research Centre Stage

Recasting of EU Commission Roles Puts Research Centre Stage

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

Brussels Rumour Mill Churns the Scenarios for Next Research Commissioner

Brussels Rumour Mill Churns the Scenarios for Next Research Commissioner

Stakeholders in the Brussels research and innovation bubble are fretting over who will be the next EU commissioner for research and innovation, as member states haggle over portfolios hoping for more political influence in the coming five years.