This year is a milestone for the EU’s Widening measures, marking 10 years since they were first introduced under Horizon 2020. We dive into the data to paint a picture of progress made since then. We also look at the pressure Romania is coming under to merge universities in a bid to boost their standing in international rankings, at the formation of a digital innovation club by Germany and the Baltic states, and how the European Institute of Innovation and Technology's new hub in Kyiv hopes to help re-build the country’s start-up ecosystem.
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
Phages that kill bacteria are seen as a possible solution to the waning power of antibiotics. But research funding is lacking and existing routes to approval and commercialisation are not suitable for these therapies, say UK MPs
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
By combining farming and solar panels, agrivoltaics promises the best of both worlds. Large pilots are up and running, but now regulation must catch up with technology if Europe is to reap the benefits
With new countries joining Horizon Europe, the EU research programme could catalyse great science and technology across the globe. But first, Brussels will have to face up to some big challenges
A council of 12 research leaders will be set up to advise the French president as part of plans to put science ‘at the heart of decision-making’, while the roles of research institutes and universities will be redefined
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