EU unveils plan to reinforce research and technological infrastructures
Europe Unveils Strategy to Strengthen Research and Technology Infrastructures
The European Commission has announced a new strategy aimed at reinforcing research and technology infrastructures across the continent. The goal is to accelerate scientific breakthroughs, move innovations from research to real-world applications more quickly, and deliver technologies that are market-ready and socially impactful.
The strategy, explained by Ekaterina Zaharieva, EU Commissioner for Startups, Research, and Innovation, emphasizes the transformative role of digitalization and AI in boosting efficiency and creating smarter, interconnected infrastructures. It focuses on five key areas of action: expanding capacities with AI and digitalization, simplifying access for researchers, developing talent, reforming governance, and enhancing international resilience.
The first action point is to strengthen Europe's infrastructure ecosystem, including mobilizing investment, increasing research capacity, and ensuring facilities like particle accelerators match user needs. A second focus is to ensure easier access for scientists, startups, and scaleups across Europe by providing a continuum of complementary services. Improving governance is the fourth priority, with the Commission planning to simplify decision-making processes, align funding priorities among Member States, and increase coordination across funding sources.
The strategy also highlights the importance of strengthening international cooperation and resilience, including working with strategic partners and integrating candidate countries into the European Research Area. By addressing global challenges through international cooperation, the EU seeks to strengthen its international reach and resilience.
Risk management will play a role, particularly around critical data and facilities, to safeguard Europe's technological sovereignty. The strategy does not provide specific details about the fifth action point, which is about reforming governance and enhancing international resilience.
The Commission's new strategy reinforces Europe's capacity to lead in science, innovation, and industrial competitiveness. By strengthening research and technology infrastructures, the EU hopes to deliver solutions to society's most urgent challenges and position itself as the destination of choice for top minds in research and technology.
The strategy was unveiled on September 16, 2025, and Zaharieva emphasized the need for an ambitious and coordinated European approach to research and technology infrastructures. The strategy also focuses on strengthening career pathways for technicians, researchers, and scientific leaders to ensure Europe's research ecosystem remains competitive on the global stage.
Stronger research and technology infrastructures promise to deliver solutions to society's most urgent challenges, making Europe a leader in science, innovation, and industrial competitiveness. The EU's 'Choose Europe' initiative aims to position itself as the destination of choice for top minds in research and technology, ensuring Europe remains at the forefront of scientific and technological advancements.
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