Future legislative act for the European Research Area is in public consultation

The European Commission has launched a public consultation on the future legislative act on the European Research Area, with the aim of obtaining comments and suggestions to help improve and complete the document.

This legislative act is, in part, a response to the Draghi and Letta reports, which highlight the need for a European Union (EU) with a more competitive Research and Innovation (R&I) ecosystem. It also aims to support the so-called "fifth freedom" - the free movement of researchers, scientific knowledge and technology in the EU's Single Market.

The Commission also hopes that better competitiveness at global level will increase the ability to attract investment and retain talent in the EU, by providing better conditions for researchers, such as mobility and free movement.

The three main policy measures being considered for this future Act are: national commitments by member states to reach a 3% target in R&I; improved harmonization of investments; and policies and improved conditions for R&I and researchers in the EU.

This proposal for a future legislative act was also based on other existing initiatives: The Pact for Research and Innovation(Publications Office); theERA Policy Agenda for 2022/2024 (ERA Policy Agenda2022-2024 | European Research Area Platform) and 2025/2027(ERA Policy Agenda 2025-2027 | European Research Area Platform); the European Parliament resolution of January 2024(TA) and "Choose Europe for Science"(Choose Europe: advance your research career in the EU).

The European Research Area Act public consultation will be available until September 10, 2025.