A well-functioning R&D system is perhaps the best investment governments can make for future competitiveness and welfare. In the coming years, therefore,  there should be more focus on the results to be achieved, and less on resources. More investments would be valuable and it is of course important that all countries in the EU meet the European R&D targets.

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Research policy and funding must be the principal tool for securing the EU’s transition towards climate neutrality in every sector of the economy in order to simultaneously improve competitiveness, safeguard citizens' prosperity and Europe’s resilience and security. Given Europe’s macro-economic conditions and geopolitical  challenges, there is no time to lose anymore. 

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This demands a change of mindset: research outcomes must bring societal benefits as well as corporate profits, which in turn support the public budget and allow a new investment cycle. This entails fostering closer cooperation across sectors and actors ensuring that knowledge will be translated more effectively into economic value. A determined effort is needed to rapidly complete an efficiently functioning single market for research and education – in particular supporting researchers’ mobility . The single market is the EU’s most important common good; avoiding deepening fault lines is a mutual strategic interest. Thirdly, it requires a much more efficient and synergetic use of existing capacities and funds, in the Commission and Member States as well as the simplification of procedures. 

 

This HLG is chaired by Manuel Heitor, former Minister for Science, Technology and Higher Education, Portugal.