In order for Europe to become more competitive, secure, and sustainable on a global scale, there is a need for greater excellence in research, more significant innovation, and the development of technologies. This is emphasized in the recommendations presented to the European Commission by experts to strengthen the European Union's (EU) research and innovation program Horizon Europe and its successor.
The recommendations were developed by an independent group of 15 leading experts, chaired by former Portuguese Minister of Science, Technology, and Higher Education Manuel Heitor. Latvia is represented by Agrita Kiopa, Vice-Rector for Science at Riga Stradiņš University. The report produced by the group, titled “Align, Act, Accelerate: Research, Technology, and Innovation to Boost European Competitiveness,” highlights the added value of the EU's research and innovation core program (R&I) and puts forward twelve recommendations.
- Adopt a whole-of-government approach to align research and innovation with the EU’s competitiveness and digital economy strategy.
- Increase Europe’s global competitiveness by promoting research, innovation, and emerging enterprises with a strong core program.
- Ensure European added value by using a portfolio of activities focused on competitive excellence, industrial competitiveness, societal problem-solving, and a strong research and innovation ecosystem.
- Create an experimental unit to initiate innovation programs with rapid funding opportunities as “ARPA-type” initiatives.
- Strengthen competitive excellence by expanding funding for the European Research Council, the European Innovation Council, and activities named after Marie Skłodowska-Curie to attract the most talented individuals.
- Establish an Industrial Competitiveness and Technology Council to promote investments in industrial research and innovation and ensure compliance with strategic autonomy.
- Create a council for solving societal problems to address key societal issues, align them with EU strategic priorities, and collaborate with philanthropy and civil society.
- Build an inclusive and attractive EU research and innovation ecosystem by ensuring long-term investments, promoting university alliances, and co-funding from member states.
- Simplify programs by reducing administrative burdens, using dynamic funding, and streamlining application processes.
- Develop an innovation procurement program to stimulate industrial scaling using demand-driven solutions.
- Utilize a detailed strategy for international collaboration, tailoring partnerships to specific fields and global geopolitical considerations.
- Optimize dual-use technology innovation by separately managing civil and military research and innovation programs, leveraging benefits for national security and civilian needs.
Based on these recommendations, independent experts call for an increase in the budget, making it more targeted and protected. According to the experts’ analysis, this investment would position Europe as a leader in international research and innovation cooperation and governance.
The mid-term evaluation of the Horizon Europe core program was conducted by a high-level group consisting of 15 experienced experts from across Europe. The group was tasked with providing specific recommendations to the European Commission in December 2023 on how to improve the EU's research and innovation program in the short and long term. The recommendations are based on extensive analysis, including external studies and discussions with stakeholders.
Photo: Pixabay.com