11 Mar 2025
The Guild presents statement on importance of health research for European competitiveness
The Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities has presented a statement underscoring the importance of health research in maintaining the EU's global competitiveness and the well-being of its citizens. The statement is made in the constext of the EU’s forthcoming initiatives, including the Life Sciences Strategy, the EU Biotech Act, the Pharmaceutical Reform's finalisation, and the European Health Data Space implementation. The Guild claims that addressing challenges such as fragmented health systems and skills shortages requires strong investment in research and skills, and that this strategic commitment should be reflected in the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and in FP 10.
The Guild calls on the EU to invest in skills for future health research, and to address the funding gap to maintain global competitiveness by overcoming national funding disparities and supporting innovation ecosystems. The statement highlights the issue of the needs of an ageing population, and the importance of prioritising collaborative fundamental research in future funding programmes to complement the industry's investment in applied research. The Guild also emphasises the importance of enhancing collaboration between academia and industry across the entire research pipeline, and of fostering early-career research
For more information:
The Guild statement: The importance of health research in the context of European competitiveness