EU Research Ministers discuss how research results can be used to revitalise EU's economy and industry

At the Competitiveness Council on Friday 8 December 2023, the ministers responsible for research focused on research valorisation as a tool for economic and industrial recovery and resilience in their policy debate. Furthermore, the ministers approved Council Conclusions on the impact of research and innovation in policy making, a priority file of the current Spanish Council Presidency. A political agreement on a Council Recommendation to create a European framework to attract and retain research, innovation, and entrepreneurial talents in Europe was also on the agenda (the Recommendation will be formally adopted by the end of the year, after the examination of the text by lawyer-linguists has been completed). The meeting was chaired by the Spanish Minister of Science, Innovation and Universities, Diana Morant Ripoll. The European Commission was (for the first time) represented by Commissioner Iliana Ivanova.

The adopted Council Conclusions on the impact of research and innovation in policy making comprise three main parts: (1) They reflect on how research and innovation can improve policymaking by including scientific evidence and knowledge in the regulatory process, in order to improve the lives of citizens and strengthen democracy. (2) The Conclusions also underline that strong R&I ecosystems at all levels (national, regional and local) can contribute to promoting economic and social progress. (3) The third part is dedicated to the policy impact of the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) on the Union’s key objectives of R&I policy in the European Research Area (ERA). The Council Recommendation on a European framework to attract and retain research, innovation and entrepreneurial talents in Europe aims at supporting researchers and research careers in the Union, as well as developing a more attractive, open and sustainable European labour market for researchers. The 44 recommendations also address areas such as recognition, comparability of careers, and the balanced circulation of researchers.

As mentioned in the background document for the Policy Debate, the EU is facing difficulties in harnessing research valorisation and creating social and economic value from knowledge. The two main hurdles, which are also interlinked, are the so-called “valley of death” and the “innovation paradox“. Both impede increasing the societal value and impact of R&I investments. The pivotal tasks of bridging the “valley of death” and overcoming the “innovation paradox” are crucial milestones in revitalising the European Union’s economic prosperity, achieving open strategic autonomy, and stimulating the implementation of innovative solutions to global challenges, the Presidency states in the background document. In response to the questions formulated by the Presidency, the ministers addressed the main challenges in the field of knowledge valorisation, how to ensure measures are in line with citizens' needs, and what kind of national measures are already being implemented.

Under Any Other Business, the Presidency informed the research ministers about the continuation of the EU’s participation in the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA) under Horizon Europe, on which the Trilogue with the European Parliament will be held soon. Furthermore, there was a debriefing on the several events and activities held during the Spanish Council Presidency. The European Commission informed ministers about the EU-level report in the context of the new ERA Monitoring Mechanism (the 18-month review of the implementation of the ERA Policy Agenda was published on 23 November 2023), the progress made regarding research assessment reforms and actions, and about advanced materials for industrial leadership, on which the Commission is planning to present a Communication in spring 2024.

As a final AOB point, the Belgian delegation provided information on the incoming Presidency's work programme in the field of research. The Belgian EU Council Presidency starts on 1 January 2024. The informal meeting of EU ministers responsible for research during the Belgian Presidency will be held in La Hulpe (near Brussels) on 14-15 February 2024, and the next formal Competitiveness Council is scheduled for 23 May 2024 in Brussels.

Over lunch, the research ministers discussed Fostering policies for youth and gender equality in R&I.

For more information:

Competitiveness Council (Research and space) - Consilium (europa.eu)

Main Results