Viewpoint

A sustained effort to diversify funding sources has enbled steady progress. Now, almost 40 years after joining the EU, that Portugal is in sight of meeting the target of spending 3% of GDP on research by 2030

To deliver on their ambitious climate and health promises, the objective-driven research projects require a change in policymaking culture across Europe, says Wolfgang Polt, who is spearheading efforts to promote transnational cooperation in support of the Missions

As AI tools spread in the scientific world, we risk the tech giants coming to dominate the resulting ‘meta’ science. It’s time to ensure public research stays in the public sphere, argues Ramon Wyss of KTH

Five years after PLAN S set out to make research free at the point of publication there’s progress to report. But the work is not finished and the pressure must be maintained, says the EU’s former Open Access envoy

EU research funding is spread thinly across thousands of poorly aligned projects, while member states are vying with each other for dominance in AI. Overcoming national interests and working at scale are necessary to build a successful sector

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

The EU’s concerns about economic security are legitimate, but protective measures must be proportionate and precise to ensure they respond to the actual risks. There should not be blanket bans on international research cooperation  

Moves to ensure the EU’s economic independence and technology sovereignty are catching universities in the cross hairs. Institutions must strike a balance between protecting sensitive technologies and maintaining open science and autonomy

It’s likely the Commission will dip into the research programme’s budget for its new sovereignty fund – and this won’t be the first time money has been diverted to other causes. Flexibility to respond to changing circumstances is important, but when is enough, enough?

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