Viewpoint

In the face of the challenges of the green and digital transition, the uncertainties caused by multiple crises and a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape, the capacity of research and innovation to shape a better future has never been more important

The results of the largest ever public consultation on the past, present and future of the European research and innovation programmes are in. Here, research commissioner Mariya Gabriel sets out the highlights

Without textiles, there is no fashion. But textile manufacturing is highly polluting and there is an urgent need to make it sustainable. The industry and EU policymakers must work together on harmonising different national rules to turn Europe’s catwalks green    

MEP Lina Gálvez Muñoz calls for more focus on research that matters to less-developed regions and targeted help for researchers across the bloc to take part in EU schemes

The latest figures on R&D funding for neglected diseases show the EU is making its greatest contribution to date. But looking at the big picture it’s clear more needs to be done to tackle diseases that affect millions of people around the world

After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Chancellor Olaf Scholz declared a ‘Zeitenwende’, shifting Germany policy towards a new, wary realism. Research policy has only begun to catch up, says Ruppert Stüwe, German Social Democratic Party MP

As the US tries to strangle China’s access to technology, Beijing is reorganising its R&D landscape and incentives in a bid to become more self-reliant. European companies and researchers will need to navigate these shifting priorities

International economist Luc Soete, a key advocate of open science, explains and reflects on the EU’s growing support for ’strategic autonomy’ in science and technology

Like it or not, democratic countries are bound by economic reality to work together rather than put up barriers to cross-border collaboration. Companies must spearhead the R&D cooperation, argues the lead for a new Fraunhofer USA initiative

The EU’s push for ‘strategic autonomy’ overlooks its longtime underinvestment in military and civilian R&D, and a need for broad market reforms, argues US innovation scholar Charles Wessner