Poland’s Supreme Audit Office reported ‘alarming’ irregularities in the allocation of funds by the national research funding agency

As the first moves are made in shaping the 2028 – 2034 R&D programme, there are informal discussions about shifting the focus of Widening measures away from country level and using this initiative to support all less-advanced regions across the EU

With former president of the European Council Donald Tusk set to lead a coalition government, academics eye fundamental changes in the long-term strategy for science, greater academic freedom and more research funding

MEPs want an additional €3B for the Strategic Technologies for European Platform, bringing the total budget for the scheme to promote European manufacturing in critical sectors to €13B. Now attention turns to negotiating the terms with member states

Member states aren’t convinced that giving the project Mission status is the best way to ‘green’ neighbourhoods and bring Europe’s architectural and cultural heritage into the net-zero era

Labs in Israel have emptied as reservists are called up and foreign researchers fly home. With some scientists still under Hamas rocket fire, Israeli academics want the European Research Council to push back call deadlines

Current EU legislation does not distinguish innovative start-ups from the massed ranks of SMEs. A specific definition - and a specific strategy - is needed to back start-ups and help them to grow 

A tussle between policy-driven and bottom-up research will shape Framework Programme 10. There are two years to have the debate and strike a balance. ‘This is the beginning of the conversation,’ says Marc Lemaître

Voters go to the polls on 22 October, following which wider talks with Brussels should resume. But with the Commission’s precise negotiating preconditions unclear, it’s doubtful whether association to the research programme can be agreed before EU elections next year

The Dutch university has opted out of the Times Higher Education league table this year, adding further momentum to the research assessment reform movement that is pushing for universities and researchers to be judged on quality not quantity