Decrease is blamed on COVID-19, but 2021 scoreboard underlines Europe’s need to invest more on new technologies to catch up with the US and China, which both boosted R&D spending during the first year of pandemic

A World Trade Organisation waiver on intellectual property will not overcome immediate vaccine shortages. Compulsory licensing is a better approach

Countries are unfairly punishing South Africa for detecting the new coronavirus variant, scientists say. This will deter open science and research collaborations

Interrupted experiments, uncertain career paths and lingering COVID-19 effects may be discouraging young researchers, warns former European Research Council chief Jean-Pierre Bourguignon. He urges EU-wide action to help the ‘research precariat’

Member states need to be more explicit about opportunities and support universities can expect from national plans for the €750B fund

Victor Dzau, President of US Academy of Medicine, calls on governments to establish a global health threats council, and says pharmaceutical companies should temporarily waive COVID-19 vaccine patents.

With vaccination rates on the up in Europe, universities are re-opening their campuses and preparing for face-to-face teaching. But the onus will be on students to show they are infection-free

Commission selects first big collaborative projects to be funded under Horizon Europe