Countries are banking on R&D to build a green and digital future as they boost spending on science – but there are stark differences between countries, according to new UNESCO report

Details of the terms on which Israel, UK and Switzerland can join quantum and space projects are now public. But it’s not a done deal for the Commission which says negotiations are ‘ongoing’

Only 2% of EU start-up funding goes to all-female led companies, and COVID-19 has worsened inequality. It’s time for the Commission and member states to do more, Parliament says

Europe’s research labs scrambled to make the best use of their resources and offered remote access for researchers during the pandemic. Some of these changes are set to become a permanent feature

Five grand challenge projects  - in cancer, soil health, ocean pollution, climate neutral cities and adapting to climate change – are ready to roll, confirms EU research chief Jean-Eric Paquet

Despite COVID-19 vaccines success, getting research through to market in Germany remains needlessly complex. ‘Translation is an issue’ Chancellor Angela Merkel acknowledged in a speech to the national Research Summit last month

After months of fighting, member states agree UK, Israeli or other non-EU researchers can join Horizon’s most sensitive projects – on condition they provide ‘necessary assurances’ that their participation won’t harm the EU’s strategic interests

The sophistication, size and costs of research infrastructures are hard for any one country to manage. Whatever Europe’s desire for tech sovereignty, international cooperation is needed to finance and operate them

Swiss university presidents brace for impact of potential exclusion from Horizon Europe.

Bill Gates is teaming up with EU to finance large scale demonstration projects and boost the commercial prospects of green energy. It is hoped the initiative will attract wider private sector investment