European Research Area

O European Research Area (ERA) was launched in 2000, in the context of the Lisbon Strategy, with the aim of tackling the fragmentation of European Research & Innovation (R&I) systems. The ERA thus aims to constitute 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.

O new ERA aims to improve Europe's R&I landscape, 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 R&I investments and reforms in order to facilitate the green and digital transition, support Europe's recovery and increase its competitiveness.
• Improve researchers' access to excellent facilities and infrastructures across the EU.
• Transfer the results to the economy in order to boost business investment and market acceptance of research results, as well as to promote the EU's competitiveness and leadership in the global technological context.
• Strengthen the mobility of researchers and the free movement of knowledge and technologies, through greater cooperation between Member States, to ensure that everyone benefits from research and its results.