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

The European Commission has launched a public consultation on the future legislative act on the European Research Area, with a view to gathering comments and suggestions that will help to 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 ecosystem in the area of Research and Innovation (R&I). It also aims to support the so-called "fifth freedom"—the free movement of researchers, scientific knowledge, and technology in the EU Single Market.

The Commission also seeks to improve global competitiveness and increase the EU's ability to attract investment and retain talent by providing better conditions for researchers, such as mobility and freedom of movement.

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

This proposal for a future legislative act was also based on other existing initiatives: Pact for Research and Innovation (Publications Office); the ERA Policy Agenda 2022-2024 (ERA Policy Agenda 2022-2024 | 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: advance your research career in the EU’.

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