Seen from Brussels

‘Stories from 2050’ offer new insights, the EU launches the Global Gateway initiative, and is progressing on association – without two longstanding partners.

The new European Research Area policy agenda shows political support for R&I – while the latter are not yet part of the discussions on the ‘Future of Europe’.

While Horizon Europe is almost approaching the end of its first year, association to the new programme is still delayed for longstanding partners.

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.