Group of experts advises European Union to embark on huge new investment in research
The European Union should invest €220 billion (£184 billion) in its next research programme while introducing a string of new initiatives in order to remain competitive with the US and China, an expert group has advised.
Led by former Portuguese science minister Manuel Heitor, a group of 15 experts appointed by the European Commission’s directorate-general for research and innovation presented a series of recommendations for the remainder of Horizon Europe as well as its successor.
The report, Align, act, accelerate: Research, technology and innovation to boost European competitiveness, stresses that Europe’s “global importance in research, innovation and technology development has declined”, with “both investments in and impact from research and innovation” falling behind as other countries ramp up their capacities.
Investment in research and innovation, the report states, will ensure the “future security, strength and freedom” of the EU amid challenges including the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), global conflict and the climate crisis.
The proposed €220 billion ring-fenced budget for Horizon Europe’s successor, currently known as FP10, is larger than the €200 billion total suggested in the recent Draghi report, as well as by organisations including the European Research Council. The framework programme should enable “Europe to take the lead in international/global RD&I collaboration and governance”, the report advises. Member states should also be encouraged to make “ambitious national plans and investments” in research and innovation.
The expert group further recommends that “all applications reviewed as excellent across the framework programme” should be funded “through a combination of EU framework programme, structural and member state funds”.