EC event "connects the dots" in the new ERA

The European Commission DG RTD's event on 'Connecting the Dots in the New European Research Area' in Brussels on 23 October 2025 brought together stakeholders and experts to discuss how reducing fragmentation in Europe’s research and innovation landscape can strengthen Europe's collective capacity in transformative technologies.

Following the opening of the event by the Commission, Pierre Alexandre Balland (Chief Data Scientist at CEPS and Visiting Professor at Harvard University) presented the study 'Divided We Fall Behind – Why a fragmented EU cannot compete in complex technologies'. The study was commissioned by the EC's DG RTD and presents a novel complexity-based framework to analyse fragmentation in the EU’s R&I system, highlighting hub connectivity as a critical factor. Drawing on extensive patent and publication data (2000–2023), it finds that European hubs are significantly less interconnected than their US counterparts, particularly in complex technologies such as AI, biotech, and quantum computing. The research underscores not only a performance gap but also structural inefficiencies, calling for more targeted, cross-regional policy interventions to enhance Europe’s innovation competitiveness.

This keynote speech was followed by a panel discussion. Moderator Magda de Carli (Head of Unit for 'ERA Spreading Excellence & Research Careers' at the European Commission's DG RTD) introduced the panel session by stating that "Diversity is richness" and should be used as an asset. Many initiatives have been set over the past years, but more is needed for implementing the ERA, so the next step will be the preparation of the ERA Act (the public consultation for the ERA Act is currently open. Participation is possible until 5 January 2026).

The panellists included Barbara Weitgruber (Austrian Director-General for Scientific Research and International Relations at the Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research), who mphasised that the US and China should not serve as models for Europe, as Europe is unique in its values and cultural foundations. She stressed the importance of keeping fundamental principles such as academic freedom at the core of European research policy. As positive examples within the EU, Ms. Weitgruber highlighted research infrastructures and the European University Alliances. She argued that the European Research Area (ERA) is not a “nice to have” but a joint responsibility, calling for co-creation between Member States and the European Commission. Other panellists included Nicola Dengo (President of the European Council of Doctoral Candidates and Junior Researchers (EuroDoc)), Pedro Marques (Tenured Scientist, Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)), and Silvia Gomez (Secretary General, Young European Research Universities Network (YERUN)). The panel discussion was followed by a Q&A session with the audience, and concluding remarks by Manuel Aleixo (Cabinet expert at the Cabinet of Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation Ekaterina Zaharieva).

EC DG RTD study 'Divided we fall behind: Why a fragmented EU cannot compete in complex technologies'