The future policy and structure of the European Commission is taking shape with the announcement of a new College of Commissioners and the release of key reports:
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has nominated the new Commissioners-designate for the 2024-2029 term.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has nominated the new Commissioners-designate for the 2024-2029 term. Research, Innovation, and Education have been split into two portfolios. Bulgarian Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva will lead Start-ups, Research, and Innovation, while Education falls under Roxana Mînzatu, Executive Vice President for People, Skills, and Preparedness.
Mandates and Responsibilities.
Ekaterina Zaharieva’s mandate includes expanding the European Innovation Council, the European Research Council (ERC), and overseeing the European Research Act and European Innovation Act.
Roxana Mînzatu’s responsibilities cover quality jobs, social rights, education, and culture. Her key focus includes consolidating the European Education Area, introducing the European Degree, and supporting the European University Alliances.
Learn more about their biographies and mandates: https://commission.europa.eu/about-european-commission/towards-new-commission-2024-2029/commissioners-designate-2024-2029_en
Important Reports that will shape the future EU Policies:
The Future of European Competitiveness,” Draghi’s report calls for the EU to boost research and innovation spending
Mario Draghi’s report, The Future of European Competitiveness, calls for increased EU spending on research and innovation to maintain competitiveness with major economies like China and the US. It highlights challenges such as stagnant industrial sectors and the failure to translate innovation into commercialization. The report recommends doubling the budget for the next EU Framework Programme on Research and Innovation to €200 billion over seven years, focusing on fewer, commonly agreed priorities and boosting funding for disruptive innovation. It also suggests reforms in focus, budget allocation, governance, and financial capacity to streamline and enhance the EU’s innovation capabilities. To strengthen global research leadership, the report proposes doubling support for fundamental research through the European Research Council (ERC), expanding grant access while maintaining funding levels per project.
Enrico Letta’s report Much More Than a Market proposal on a “5th Freedom”
Letta’s report proposes adding a 5th freedom to the European single market, focusing on enhancing research, innovation, and education. This would complement the existing four freedoms (goods, services, people, and capital) and transform fragmented knowledge into unified growth opportunities. The new freedom aims to create a competitive landscape for research and business while ensuring that innovation benefits the public good. Key elements include:
- Creating a European Knowledge Commons, Open Science Framework, and shared computational resources.
- Strengthening the European Research Area, promoting researcher mobility through programs like Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), and retaining talent by reducing administrative barriers.
- Advancing AI technologies with robust governance and standards.
- Fostering the European Education Area and implementing a European Degree.
Manuel Heitor’s findings on Horizon Europe’s interim evaluation.
To be launched on October 16, 2024. The group responsible for the evaluation of the largest Research and Innovation funding programme that will contribute to the future FP10. Learn more about the event: https://research-innovation-community.ec.europa.eu/events/5cNLsztvwo0UYN2HeL9UDw/overview
Important reactions by the stakeholder community
Important Reactions to Recent Reports and the New European Commission Structure:
- Separation of Education and Research: The decision to separate Education from Research, particularly in higher education, has raised concerns among stakeholder organizations, viewing it as a missed opportunity for stronger policy coordination. Read more on Science Business.
- ERC Support vs. MSCA Recognition:
- The absence of any mention of the MSCA in the Commissioner mandate letters and the Draghi report has raised concerns among research and education organizations about the programme’s importance. LERU, supported by ISE and other stakeholders, has urged for more policy support: Read more.
- Discussions on the future of the MSCA programme are ongoing, with Manuel Heitor advocating for the creation of an MSCA Council—an independent infrastructure similar to the ERC. This proposal is supported by the MSCA Alumni Association.