What is ERA?
The European Research Area (ERA) is the ambition to create a single, borderless market for research, innovation and technology across the EU.
By strongly aligning their research policies and programmes, European countries become more effective on the research sector. The ERA is based on excellence and
- prioritises investments and reforms in research and innovation
- boosts market uptake
- strengthens mobility of researchers and free flow of knowledge and technology
- improves access to excellence
The ERA policy framework is based on
- the ERA governance, including the ERA Forum, ERAC and the Council;
- the Pact for Research and Innovation in Europe;
- an ERA Policy Agenda with concrete actions.
ERA in the regions
Regions and cities will be supported in promoting science and research locally through the Knowledge Exchange Platform, relaunched as KEP 2.0.
Recommendations to EU countries
To make the European Research Area stronger, national research and innovation policies need to be strengthened too.
Since 2010, the European Semester has been providing EU countries with recommendations, to coordinate and improve social and economic policies across the EU.
Research and innovation policy recommendations are embedded in this process.
It is a clear example of how cooperation and dialogue between the Commission and EU countries leads to better and more impactful policies.
ERA progress reports
ERA progress reports summarise the state of play of ERA and progress made on its implementation by EU and associated countries.
Documents
What is the European Research Area?
A single, borderless market for research, innovation and technology across the EU, where countries come together and improve their research policies and systems and where there is free movement of researchers, knowledge and innovation.
Latest
- News article
The Commission package for attractive and sustainable research careers advances steadily
The Commission’s set of measures for attractive and sustainable research careers continues to be enriched, with new initiatives underway.
- News article
Launch of the European Research Area Policy Platform: a new gateway for the ERA
The new ERA Policy Platform is a dedicated one-stop-shop, providing a comprehensive overview of current ERA policies, activities and achievements.
- News article
EU countries agree on steps to attract and retain research talent
Research and innovation news alert: Today, EU member states agreed on measures to make research careers more attractive and to foster better working conditions for researchers.
Events
- Training and workshops
Improving access to and reuse of R&I results, publications and data for scientific purposes
- Monday 26 February 2024, 09:00 - 14:30 (CET)
- Online only
- Conferences and summits
Conference on Research Careers 2023
- Tuesday 21 November 2023, 09:00 - Wednesday 22 November 2023, 17:00 (CET)
- Training and workshops
Multiplying the Rs in industrial innovation: rethinking, redesigning, reusing, repairing, recycling
- Wednesday 8 March 2023, 10:00 - 14:00 (CET)