Communication on the global approach to research and innovation: Pre-legislative synthesis of national, regional and local positions on the European Commission's initiative

Briefing 23-06-2021

This Briefing forms part of an EPRS series offering syntheses of the pre-legislative state of play and consultation on key European Commission priorities during the current five-year term. It summarises the state of affairs in the relevant policy field, examines how existing policy is working on the ground, and, where possible, identifies best practice and ideas for the future on the part of governmental organisations at all levels of the EU system of multilevel governance. An EPRS analysis of the positions of partner governmental organisations at EU, national, regional and local levels suggests that they would like the following main considerations to be reflected in the discussion of the communication on the global approach to research and innovation (R&I): • Governmental organisations stress that research and innovation (R&I) are essential for the global competitiveness of the EU and greater investment is needed to ensure that the EU does not lose its leading position. There is a particular emphasis on the need for SMEs and regional clusters to take part in innovation cooperation, building on existing programmes such as Eurostars. • Public authorities state that third-country participation is essential for a successful R&I policy. However, the exact balance between openness and ‘strategic autonomy’ is harder to define. Some organisations state that systematic cooperation with third countries should be simplified in terms of red tape. Others express concerns about lower international participation in successive EU R&I programmes. • Various priority regions to be targeted were emphasised, namely, the broader European neighbourhood, the Mediterranean region (PRIMA and BlueMed programmes cited as positive examples) and Africa. Other respondents emphasised the need to deepen ties with strong research capacity countries, such as Australia, Canada, Japan and the UK. • Governmental organisations share the view that mobility of researchers is vital in both the European and international context. At the same time, EU R&I programmes should seek to prevent a 'brain drain' both away from the EU and within the EU, by promoting and incentivising research careers. • Local and regional authorities also call on the Commission to strengthen the links between R&I policies and EU cohesion policies, including regional funds.