As 2024 begins, we assess the success of attempts to close the EU’s east-west research and innovation gap. There is progress, but a decade on, disparity persists and alongside beefed up EU measures, national R&D funding needs to increase

The four countries have teamed up to bring together Germany’s political heft with the expertise in digital transformation of the Baltic states and inject fresh impetus into the EU single digital market agenda

Merging institutions can bring economies of scale, strengthening finances and research - and attracting staff and students. But vested interests often block this route to moving up the league tables 

After concentrating support on companies that were forced to flee, EU initiatives are increasingly working to rebuild the country’s start-up ecosystem

Leading academics defend EU research missions and say productivity growth should not be the direct goal of European investment in research and innovation

Report shows that since 2021 eleven more countries have adopted open science policies. But there are to persistent problems with rising costs and uneven geographical spread

Wars on Europe’s doorstep, tech espionage and illiberal governments are spurring the EU and national governments to rethink who should take the lead on academic freedom

Leading AI expert Holger Hoos says Europe needs it own Manhattan Project to create a leading AI system and avoid dependence on the US or China. Other experts are supportive, but the cost and politics of such a project are tricky

Impact investing is putting private capital to work in support of the transition to a fairer and more sustainable society. But profound system change is needed to achieve this and new strategies are required