A new European Research Area (ERA)

On September 30, the European Commission presented a new communication on the European Research Area, entitled A new ERA for Research and Innovation. This document aims to outline the future of research in the European area, as well as Europe's current social, ecological and economic challenges. It should be remembered that the definition of legislation for shared competences in the area of research in the common European area was one of the resolutions of the Lisbon Treaty in 2007. 

This new communication aims to improve the European landscape in terms of innovation and research, accelerate the transition to digital leadership and the fight against climate change, combat the social and economic consequences of the new coronavirus and improve the resilience of the European continent against future crises.

The objectives of the new European Research Area are fourfold. The first aims to prioritize investment and reforms in research and innovation, with a view to moving towards a greener model. The goal is to reach 5% of GDP by 2030 for the joint operation of member states in scientific partnerships and development programs, using funds from Horizon Europe, the research and innovation funding program for 2021-2027, and reinforced by the Next Generation EU plan. In 2017, the European Union invested an average of 2% of member states' GDP in research and innovation. The second point aims to guarantee researchers in Europe access to infrastructures of excellence. It also provides that countries within the European area that are below average in terms of investment in science will see their allocation to the sector increased by 50%. Also under this heading, countries with below-average scientific publications are expected to reduce the gap between them and the European average by a third over the next five years. A third point foresees that the results of research and innovation in the common European space can be transferred to the economy, through the creation of common technological plans and the creation of a networking platform at European level. Finally, the fourth objective is to strengthen the mobility of researchers across borders and promote free access to knowledge and scientific production.

On the European Research Area:

Launched in 2000 with the aim of better organizing and integrating innovation systems and strengthening cooperation between member states in the field of science, it has been instrumental in promoting the free movement of researchers, technology and knowledge throughout the common space, as well as the sharing of resources between countries.

In 2018, the Council of the European Union deemed it necessary to reformulate this area. A new Commission Communication will therefore appear in 2020.

The regulation and management of funding for research and innovation in the European Research Area is carried out using the Horizon Europe framework, reinforced by Next Generation EU.