As 2023 draws to a close, we have put together a list of the stories that shaped research and innovation policy over the past 12 months

There is some progress, but Manuel Heitor, the Commission’s key adviser on Framework programme 10, says more needs to be done to improve working conditions for Europe’s two million researchers

European Commission research suggests awarding grants to early career researchers and involving industry is good for innovation

Universities are pleased to see progress in moves to make research jobs more stable and desirable, but say they can’t implement the plans alone

A debate on how the EU’s Widening measures, which aim to close the east/west innovation divide, should be reformulated in the next framework research programme is heating up, with the Commission already hinting at possible changes

The country’s low number of PhDs and unattractive academic career pathways has left it struggling to replace retiring academics and is holding back its research performance

A new research commissioner, a staff reshuffle at the Commission and a potential breakthrough in the long-running stalemate over UK association to Horizon Europe are on the cards

EU initiatives have increased the number of young researchers and innovators, but without proper career structures and security of employment this talent pool drain could away

Following a fact-finding mission to Kyiv – that included retreating to the bomb shelter at the Ministry of Education and Science during a missile attack - researchers are appealing to the EU to scale-up its support for scientists in Ukraine

After a ten-year campaign for reform, the Commission finally put forward a plan for improving research jobs. Now the pressure is on to ensure this brings about meaningful changes in terms and conditions