To strengthen Europe’s position on the global stage, the European Commission’s expert group has provided 12 key recommendations to boost European competitiveness through research and innovation. These recommendations, aimed at improving the Horizon Europe program, focus on enhancing Europe’s research capabilities, driving technological advancements, and securing its leadership in innovation. With increasing global competition, these steps are crucial to ensuring Europe remains at the forefront of scientific excellence and technological development.
Why this report matters
This report, titled Align, Act, Accelerate: Research, Technology, and Innovation to Boost European Competitiveness, was authored by an independent high-level expert group commissioned by the European Commission. The group was composed of leading experts in research and innovation. The aim of this report is to provide actionable recommendations based on a broad consultation with stakeholders and an in-depth analysis of evidence, including past and ongoing research efforts under Horizon Europe.
The European Commission tasked this expert group with evaluating the effectiveness and impact of the current Horizon Europe program and offering concrete recommendations to guide the remaining years of the program (2025-2027) and to shape the next framework (2028-2034). These recommendations are intended to address the increasing global competition and ensure that Europe remains at the forefront of innovation and scientific leadership in the coming decades.
1. Whole-of-Government Approach
To create momentum for transformative research and innovation, the EU must adopt a “whole-of-government” strategy. This involves aligning research and innovation policies with broader EU strategic agendas, particularly regarding the green and digital transitions. A concerted effort from all EU member states is needed to strengthen Europe’s competitiveness and secure its future in the clean and digital economy.
2. Strengthening Global Competitiveness
The EU must bolster its global standing by delivering more excellent research, impactful innovation, and successful technology scale-ups. This requires a stronger framework that stimulates public and private investments in research, development, and innovation (RD&I) across regional and national levels.
3. Maximizing European Added Value
To deliver greater European added value, the EU should focus on four interconnected spheres of action: competitive excellence, industrial competitiveness, societal challenges, and a robust research ecosystem. This requires an increased budget for the next Framework Programme, with a proposed allocation of €220 billion to ensure comprehensive support for RD&I initiatives.
4. Stimulating Disruptive Innovation
Europe must respond to rapid changes in science and technology by fostering disruptive research. The creation of an experimental unit to test new funding programs and instruments, such as innovation prizes and AI-driven proposal reviews, would enable faster time-to-funding and drive cutting-edge advancements.
5. Promoting Competitive Excellence
Maintaining excellence in research is key to Europe’s competitiveness. The expert group recommends reinforcing the criteria of excellence throughout the RD&I program, expanding the European Research Council (ERC), European Innovation Council (EIC), and the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA). A new initiative, “Choose Europe,” aims to attract and retain young research talent.
6. Boosting Industrial Competitiveness
An Industrial Competitiveness and Technology Council should be established to engage experts in identifying critical technologies and value chains that are vital for Europe’s strategic autonomy and competitiveness. Strengthening collaboration between public and private sectors will ensure that industrial RD&I investment meets Europe’s long-term goals.
7. Addressing Societal Challenges
To tackle pressing societal challenges, a Societal Challenges Council will help prioritize research that addresses key European strategic goals such as climate change, biodiversity, and mental health. The council will engage experts from various fields to ensure that the Framework Programme aligns with societal needs and evolving priorities.
8. Fostering an Inclusive RD&I Ecosystem
The EU must foster an inclusive research and innovation ecosystem by securing long-term investment in world-class research infrastructures. Strengthening alliances between universities and fostering cross-border collaboration will further support the growth of a cohesive and innovative European research environment.
9. Radical Simplification and Efficiency
Simplifying the Horizon Europe program is essential to reduce administrative burdens and enhance efficiency. The expert group calls for a “trust-first, evaluate-later” approach to reduce application complexity, focusing on agile project funding with less administrative overhead.
10. Promoting Innovation Procurement
To accelerate industry scale-ups, the EU must develop an innovation procurement program that supports faster adoption and commercialization of research. This will help European companies better compete on the global stage by fostering innovation-driven growth.
11. Nuanced International Cooperation
The EU should adopt a nuanced approach to international cooperation, recognizing that countries can be both partners and competitors. This involves a pragmatic assessment of potential collaborations, particularly in areas where shared interests and strategic needs overlap.
12. Embracing Dual-Use Technology
The EU must embrace the dual-use nature of modern technology, where innovations can serve both civilian and military purposes. By optimizing investments in security and defense, Europe can exploit the technological dividends from increased national security expenditures while fostering broader societal benefits.
Conclusion
These 12 recommendations to boost European Competitiveness are designed to strengthen Europe’s competitive edge in research, innovation, and technology, ensuring that Europe remains a global leader in the rapidly evolving digital and green economies. With increased investments and a renewed focus on disruptive innovation, Europe can rise to the challenges ahead and secure its place as a frontrunner in the global innovation race.
