European Research Area

TheEuropean Research Area(ERA) was launched in 2000, in the context of the Lisbon Strategy, with the aim of addressing the problem of fragmentation in European Research & Innovation (R&I) systems. The ERA thus aims to establish itself as a unified area for research, promoting the free movement of researchers, scientific knowledge, and technology within the European Union, and also contributing to the competitiveness of European industry through talent-oriented science and innovation based on excellence, competitiveness, and openness.

The new ERA aims to improve the R&I landscape in Europe, accelerate the EU's transition to climate neutrality and digital leadership, support its recovery from the social and economic impact of the coronavirus crisis, and strengthen its resilience against future crises. Four main objectives of the new ERA are defined:

• Prioritize investments and reforms in R&I to facilitate the green and digital transitions, support Europe's recovery, and boost its competitiveness.
• Improving researchers' access to excellent facilities and infrastructure across the EU.
• Transferring results to the economy in order to boost business investment and market uptake of research results, as well as promoting EU competitiveness and leadership in the global technology landscape.
• Enhance the mobility of researchers and the free circulation of knowledge and technology through greater cooperation between Member States, so that everyone can benefit from research and its results.