This report summarises the findings from a roundtable discussion among senior representatives from across the R&I spectrum. They discussed how to overcome the challenges on the way of optimising R&I pipelines in Europe, including the need to improve commercialisation of ideas and create synergies between various stakeholders, while charting potential ways forward for policymakers.
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To safeguard Europe’s prosperity and competitiveness, research and innovation (R&I) need to play a central role in its economy and society. Yet the state of R&I supply chains varies widely across the continent. Concentrated into “pockets of excellence”, R&I is thriving in some regions, while lagging in others. This imbalance can be observed in countries all over the EU, but is most notable in central and eastern Europe (CEE), where research communities often lack political and administrative support and thus struggle to translate scientific output into economic and societal benefits. Although the full impact of such fragmentation is difficult to measure, it is apparent in the low numbers of applications for EU grants from CEE countries, let alone success in securing research funds.
At the same time, it is well established that local and regional development is crucial in building Europe’s economic competitiveness and security – a topic which is high on the EU’s policy agenda. The European Commission has announced a number of structural reforms, including the European Competitiveness Fund, the forthcoming European Research Area (ERA) and Innovation Acts, as well as the recently launched EU Preparatory Action entitled “Innovation for placebased transformation”, which aims to empower regional and local authorities.
Against this backdrop, how can the EU institutions help unlock R&I potential in lower-performing regions and municipalities and develop a deeply integrated single market for knowledge and innovation? How can policymakers fuse research, talent and funding pipelines to achieve the greatest impact, and ultimately strengthen Europe’s competitiveness in key sectors and markets? And how can other stakeholders help transform research outcomes into real-world impact?
This report summarises a multi-stakeholder roundtable which took place in Brussels and online on 20 May 2025, organised by Science|Business in partnership with Elsevier. Drawing on the latest data and leading practices, the roundtable focused on the evidence-based case for smarter local R&I policies, funding priorities, impact assessment and the role of universities and industry.
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