Seen from Brussels

The European Commission and Member States agree to rebalance openness and strategic autonomy. This is also shaping the openness of the EU’s R&I collaboration.

While the new programme is up and running, EU institutions remain busy finalising key elements, such as European Partnerships, association, and Missions.

The Slovenian Presidency has a full agenda on R&I and education topics – including the setting up of the foundations for the new European Research Area.

While Horizon Europe has started, Switzerland is currently considered a third country. But there is broad support for its association to the new EU programmes.

While the legal basis of the EU education, research and innovation programmes entered into law, questions remain open concerning implementation and association.

The European Parliament adopted the legal basis of Horizon Europe, R&I associations express their concern about restrictions – and the planning of the new ERA.

While the formal adoption of the new programmes slowly but surely progresses, implementation has started in parallel and first challenges appeared.

The Recovery and Resilience Facility under NGEU will fund national recovery and resilience plans, which will help strengthening the new European Research Area.

The new Presidency will focus on the last steps needed to set up the new EU programmes and on promoting recovery and resilience in the face of the pandemic.

After long and intense negotiations, there is real progress at last. The formal adoption of programmes and Own Resources is expected for early 2021.