The European Research Area: a single market for research and innovation
The European Research Area (ERA) was reorganized under the German Council Presidency in 2020. The aim is to establish a space for mutual exchange and promote the freedom of movement for researchers in all of Europe. The EU member states work closely together to achieve joint research goals.
We are pooling knowledge and resources in Europe through cooperation across national borders. This promotes the exchange of scientific findings, innovations and new technologies in the European Research Area. At the same time, we are working continuously to transform the ERA into an attractive environment for researchers and use it to promote mobility and cooperation, and to retain research talent in Europe. This is how we will secure Europe’s competitiveness over the long term.
The BMBF and European cooperation in research and innovation
The Pact for Research and Innovation in Europe provides the basis for scientific cooperation among the EU member states in the European Research Area. The aim of the Pact is to strengthen the European research and innovation landscape by
- enhancing cooperation between the member states and the EU,
- increasing investment in research and innovation
- and thereby strengthening Europe’s resilience to global challenges over the long term.
The Pact is flanked by the Policy Agenda of the European Research Area. The ERA Policy Agenda 2022–2024 implements 20 concrete measures to strengthen research and innovation in Europe: they cover topics such as open science, the freedom of scientific research or citizen science. These are central issues for researchers, science and industry as well as citizens.
The European Research Area in numbers
-
2.08
million
More than 2 million people are doing research in Europe. (More than one-fifth of them are in Germany.)
-
18
percent
The EU generates 18 percent of scientific publications worldwide. (More than 56 percent of EU publications originate from Germany and three other EU countries.)
-
10
percent
10 percent of the best publications on AI worldwide originate from Germany.
-
29
percent
Its 29 percent share makes the EU a global leader in patent applications in renewable energy.
Priorities of German research and innovation policy in the EU
The close alignment of national and European research and innovation policy strengthens Germany’s position as an attractive research location over the long term. An important step taken was the National Action Plan for the European Research Area, which was adopted by the German Federal Cabinet in late 2023. It defines the priorities of Germany’s EU research and innovation policy up to 2027.
The key points of the National Action Plan are:
- We are driving innovation for a green and digital transition in Europe.
- We are facilitating European mobility and promoting excellence in research collaboration.
- We support free international research cooperation based on shared values.
German investments in education and research above EU average
Germany consistently invests in education and research: the Federal Government aims to invest 3.5 percent of GDP in research and development by 2025.
Horizon Europe
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Besides the national strategies and measures of individual EU member states, the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (Horizon Europe) is the most important instrument for implementing the European Research Area’s priorities. Its budget of 95.5 billion euros for the period 2021-2027 is the largest research funding programme worldwide. This ensures that research and innovation contribute towards achieving the policy goal – a green and digital Europe.
Editorial deadline for this text: 01.11.2024