A new European Research Area (ERA)

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

This new communication aims to improve the European landscape in terms of innovation and research, accelerate the transition to leadership in digital and in 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.

There are four objectives of the new European Research Area. The first aims to prioritize investment and reforms in research and innovation, with a view to transitioning to a greener model. The goal is to reach, by 2030, 5% of GDP allocated to the joint operation of member states in scientific partnerships and development programs, with resources from the Horizon Europe program, the Research and Innovation funding program for 2021-2027, and reinforced by the Next Generation EU plan. In 2017, the European Union invested, on average, 2% of the GDP of its member states in research and innovation. The second point aims to guarantee researchers in the European space access to excellent infrastructures. It also foresees that countries within the European area that are below average in investment in science will see the funding allocated to the sector increased by 50%. Still on this point, it is expected that countries with scientific publications below the average will be able to reduce the gap that separates them from the European average by a third over the next five years. A third point envisages 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 aims to strengthen cross-border mobility of researchers and promote free access to knowledge and scientific production.

About 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 was crucial to 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 understood that it was necessary to reformulate this space. Thus, in 2020, a new Commission Communication emerged.

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