The Guild publishes its vision of the upcoming ERA Act

The Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities has published a position paper on the upcoming ERA Act. The paper was released on 5 May 2026 and shares the association's vision for the ERA Act, underlining that this first legally binding instrument must focus on addressing those barriers to the free circulation of knowledge that require legal redress.

In its position paper, The Guild highlights six priority areas that the ERA Act must address:

1. Securing world-leading investment in Europe’s future
   The Guild calls for legally binding spending targets to empower Europe to strengthen its scientific leadership, boost its industrial competitiveness, and consolidate its resilience. Member States should commit to investing at least 3% of GDP spending in R&D, with public investment accounting for a minimum of 1.25% of GDP.
2. Coordinating R&I policy across Europe
   Member States should develop national R&I roadmaps to foster coordination and reduce fragmentation. Progress on the roadmaps should be monitored through the European Semester.
3. Safeguarding the freedom of scientific research
   The Guild urges the EU to codify the Bonn Declaration’s definition of the freedom of scientific research into EU law and establish a European Ombudsperson to monitor breaches to the freedom of scientific research to admonish corrective action where breaches have occurred.
4. Ensuring the seamless mobility of researchers
   To realise the fifth freedom of movement for knowledge, research and researchers, The Guild supports the creation of an EU-level contract template that addresses specific blockages that arise from different employment conditions. This will be critical to strengthen the attractiveness of research careers across Europe and foster the excellence of European research.
5. Mainstreaming open science
   The Guild calls for a European Secondary Publishing Rights framework to improve access to scientific outputs and enhance cross-border circulation of knowledge.
6. Framing a common approach to research security
   Minimum EU-level standards should promote responsible internationalisation while safeguarding the freedom of scientific research. This is critical to foster a level playing field for internationalisation across Europe, and to support institutions to manage risks effectively.

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The Guild position paper: Turning ambition into reality: The Guild's vision for the ERA Act