The new European Research Area.
Date: 2021-10-12
Institutions: Directorate-General for Research and Innovation
Subjects: EU research policy, gender equality, innovation, investment, knowledge management, open science, research staff, single market, technology

The New European 
Research Area

Joining forces to find solutions to today’s challenges is more important 
than ever. Working together through the new European Research Area, 
we will accelerate our transition towards climate neutrality and digital 
leadership, support the recovery from the coronavirus crisis and make the 
EU a lighthouse of excellence for research and innovation.

Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth

What is the European Research Area?

A single,  
borderless market for 
research, innovation 
and technology  
across the EU…

 ...where  
countries come 
together and improve 
their research policies 
and systems...

…and where there 
is free movement 
of researchers, 
knowledge and 
innovation.

In the new European Research Area we will:

Prioritise investments and 
reforms in research and 
innovation towards the green 
and digital transition, to support 
Europe’s recovery;

Strengthen mobility of researchers 
and free flow of knowledge 
and technology through greater 
cooperation among Member States;

Boost market uptake 
of research and 
innovation results;

Research and 
Innovation 

Improve access 
to excellence for 
researchers across 
the EU.

Timeline

September 
2020

December 
2020

January 
2021

July 
2021

Commission Communication “A new ERA for Research and Innovation”
The Commission sets out its new vision for the European Research Area (ERA). The new ERA aims at 
deepening the implementation of existing priorities and initiatives but also at broadening towards new 
priorities to address the new context and challenges, such as the twin digital and climate transitions and 
the recovery from the COVID19 crisis. It proposes an ERA Roadmap with 14 key actions.

Council Conclusions on the new ERA 
The Council Conclusions endorse the vision of the Commission and support most of the actions proposed. 

Establishment of the ERA Forum for Transition
The Forum takes the form of an informal expert group, bringing together Member States and the 
Commission, working regularly with stakeholders. It acts as a platform to discuss and support the 
implementation of various initiatives, including the Pact for Research and Innovation and priorities for an 
‘ERA policy agenda’.

Pact for Research and Innovation
On 16 July 2021, the European Commission adopted a proposal for a Council Recommendation on a Pact. 
The Pact proposal defines shared priority areas for joint action in support of the ERA, sets out the ambition 
for investments and reforms, and constitutes the basis for a simplified policy coordination and monitoring 
process at EU and Member States’ level through an ERA platform where Member States can share their 
reform and investment approaches to enhance exchanges of best practices. The Pact is a result of a 
cooperation between the European Commission, Member States and ERA stakeholders during the first half 
of 2021. 

The Pact sets out on common principles for research and innovation in Europe:

Upholding values

Working better

Working together

•  Ethics in research and 

innovation

•  Freedom of scientific research
•  Gender equality and 
equal opportunities

•  Free circulation
•  Pursuit of excellence
•  Value creation 

•  Coordination, coherence, 

commitment
•  Global outreach
•  Inclusiveness
•  Societal responsibility

Next steps 
26 
November

Competitiveness Council meeting
The  Pact  for  Research  and  Innovation  and  the  conclusions  are  expected  to  be 
adopted. 
Development of an ERA Policy agenda
The first one will be based on the ERA Roadmap and the Commission Communication 
and will propose a list of ERA actions.

More information at 
European research area (ERA) | European Commission (europa.eu)
https://europa.eu/!YmgHHX

#EUResearchArea
#EuropeanResearchArea

© European Union, 2021
Reuse is authorised provided the source is acknowledged. The reuse policy of European Commission documents is regulated by Decision 2011/833/EU (OJ L 
330, 14.12.2011, p. 39). For any use or reproductionof elements that are not owned by the European Union, permission may need to be sought directly from 
the respective rightholders. 
All images © European Union unless otherwise stated. Images sources: © creativeteam #323412491, skypicsstudio #286372753, Viktoriia #345410470, Yurii 
#372950117, MicroOne #288703015, 2020. Source: Stock.Adobe.com. Icons © Flaticon – all rights reserved..

Print

PDF

ISBN 978-92-76-37306-3

doi:10.2777/553012

KI-08-21-114-EN-C

ISBN 978-92-76-37293-6

doi:10.2777/2736

KI-08-21-114-EN-N