Research and innovation gap

Science|Business is tracking various assessments of how Widening initiatives in Horizon Europe are matching up to their objectives with a view to understanding how they should evolve

Almost ten years on, the EU-funded centres are strengthening research and innovation performance. Now the challenge is to ensure they are sustainable and can thrive on their own long term

Science expat networks in eastern Europe aim to turn brain drain into brain circulation, support mobility and narrow the gap between Widening countries and western Europe. But intermittent funding threatens the future of these grassroots initiatives

The country is looking to boost its research, development and innovation landscape with a massive increase in the budget and new focus after decades of stasis

A new deal brings hope a €300M EU investment in eastern Europe’s largest research laboratory will not be lost to management problems

Seven countries have signed up to a Commission initiative to help them in drawing up tailored R&I policies that make the most of EU programmes. Initial reaction is positive, but participants say implementation is what counts

The number of Polish participants in Horizon Europe has leapt up compared to the early years of the previous framework programme

Regional competitiveness is above the EU average in all regions in Austria, Benelux, Germany and the Nordic member states. In contrast, most regions in eastern Europe score below the EU average

Science|Business has analysed position papers submitted to the European Commission’s Horizon Europe consultation, to assess if the Widening programme is delivering on its aim of bridging the east-west research and innovation gap

MEP Lina Gálvez Muñoz calls for more focus on research that matters to less-developed regions and targeted help for researchers across the bloc to take part in EU schemes