EUA meets Commissioner Zaharieva to discuss future of European research

On 13 May 2025, the European University Association’s President, Josep M. Garrell, and EUA Secretary General, Amanda Crowfoot, met with Ekaterina Zaharieva, European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation, to exchange views on strategic issues that will shape the next phase of EU R&I funding and the evolution of the European Research Area.

The conversation touched on a broad range of topics, including the central role of universities in delivering on Europe’s R&I ambitions and competitiveness agenda. Commissioner Zaharieva expressed appreciation for EUA’s work and acknowledged the unique contribution of universities as drivers of research and innovation across Europe.

In discussing preparations for the next EU R&I Framework Programme (FP10), EUA’s representatives and Commissioner Zaharieva reflected on the need for a more ambitious budget, while also recognising the importance of public investment in research and innovation at national level. They also underlined the importance of ensuring coherence between research and competitiveness objectives and the need to avoid fragmentation and reinforce the visibility and societal impact of EU-funded research.

Other important themes covered in the meeting include strengthening cooperation between academia and industry, enhancing support for technology transfer and supporting framework conditions for entrepreneurship and innovation within universities. The discussion also addressed the need for more comprehensive approaches to research assessment and academic careers, and the importance of these in supporting the innovation mission of universities. Furthermore, EUA and the Commissioner expressed a shared interest in promoting research collaboration and attracting researchers through initiatives such as 'Choose Europe'.

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