The European Consortium of Innovative Universities (ECIU) is calling upon the European Union and its Member States to harness the full potential of the upcoming European Research Area Act (ERA Act) to further develop the European Research Area (ERA). In times of geopolitical uncertainty and the need for competitiveness and technological advancement, we cannot afford to continue as before. We must strengthen our European 'research house': reinforce its foundations, make it more attractive to talent and adapt it to evolving needs.

Barriers to the free circulation of researchers, scientific knowledge and technology continue to contribute to the fragmentation of the ERA. Addressing these barriers is crucial to building a more integrated and resilient European research ecosystem—one that is capable of tackling challenges that extend beyond national borders. The ERA Act must be Europe’s answer to the fifth freedom as proposed by Enrico Letta (2024).

The ECIU supports the overall aims of the ERA Act, particularly its potential to:

• enhance knowledge valorisation in Europe;
• support the societal impact of research;
• invest in the latest technologies;
• strengthen the link between education, research and innovation (R&I);
• promote societal engagement.

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Additionally, ECIU underlines the importance of national commitments in achieving the 3% R&D target, as well as the need for stronger coordination of policies and investments between Member States and the EU. Coordinating research efforts is essential for aligning EU strategic priorities with national funding strategies. It is equally important to ensure that this coordination includes all countries participating in Horizon Europe to foster a truly international and inclusive ERA.

You can download the full statement below. It includes input on:

• The potential synergies with the Innovation Act;
• Opportunities for advancing knowledge valorisation;
• The much needed link to higher education;
• The opportunity to increase the integration of societal impacts into research evaluation frameworks;
• To work towards a European approach to citizen science;
• To strengthen AI in science.