CESAER

Touko Närhi, adviser for benchmark and higher education at CESAER, an organisation of European science and technology universities said “The label may be the most appropriate intermediate step, particularly due to the reservations some member states still have towards the initiative”. “While the label only goes so far to simplify the delivery of joint programmes, it has the potential to create renewed momentum for creating a level playing field within the European Education Area and beyond.” Full article in Times Higher Education 👇 https://lnkd.in/eWPuWWrf

"Our vision for European science diplomacy is for it to become  a key instrument in the EU’s diplomatic toolbox, fostering peace, European competitiveness, and a safe, sustainable and prosperous future for all by harnessing the power of science and technology in a responsible way." I am happy to have contributed to the European framework for science diplomacy published today! While formally in a personal capacity, I greatly benefited in my work from contributions by leaders and experts across CESAER Members and my colleagues in the Secretariat. A special thank you to Karine Samuel and Sophie Ratcliff, as well as to CESAER Presidency—Orla Feely, Tim Bedford and Jennifer Herek—who all provided invaluable insights! Thank you also to the team at the European Commission who excellently shepherded these developments, including Jan Marco Müller and colleagues! The recommendations in the European document contain several dimensions and perspectives, and the CESAER view was elaborated last year in a dedicated position providing an additional valuable resource 👉 https://lnkd.in/eRU7krNF

Very pleased that CESAER was invited to contribute to this report through CESAER Envoy Lars Börjesson (Chalmers University of Technology)! Research and technology infrastructures—and their interconnections—are crucial enablers of excellent research, innovation and education in science and technology across the full knowledge value chain. From fundamental research to market-ready solutions, including technology maturation, deployment and scaling, they form a key foundation for global leadership in science and technology and for European competitiveness! Full press release: https://lnkd.in/eeMKnBkP Thank you to Dominik Sobczak and the entire team at the European Commission for all their efforts in making this happen!

Network analysis of key stakeholder organisations in relation to European Universities alliances by European Commission 👇 Full details in "European Commission: Report on the outcomes and transformational potential of the European Universities initiative, 2025": https://lnkd.in/eCSFrPve

Academic freedom as a central component of the European research area and the need for a European legislative approach 👍 — Good messages from European Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva today at conference by European Parliament’s Panel for the Future of Science and Technology

‘Mattias Björnmalm, secretary general of the CESAER university association, supports this ambition, but points out that Horizon Europe already offers a proven tool for boosting European research and innovation.’ My full statement: The Commission’s Communication concludes, “Overall, Europe’s future competitiveness will depend on our ability to start a new age of invention and ingenuity, putting research and innovation, science and technology, at the centre of our economy.” I fully agree. Fortunately, we already have a proven tool for boosting research and innovation at European level: the EU’s flagship programme for research and innovation, which is admired worldwide, as shown by the growing number of countries seeking association. It is therefore deeply concerning that the successor to Horizon Europe is not explicitly mentioned in the Communication. This would have been an ideal opportunity to set out a vision for significantly expanding the resources for the programme to match the ambition of a new age of invention and ingenuity. The urgency of the challenge is clear, and meeting it requires a decisive step change in ambition and support at the European level in terms of putting research and innovation, science and technology, at the centre. What is needed is a robust, dedicated European framework programme for research and innovation with a substantially increased and reserved budget. As long as the programme builds on best practices from Horizon Europe—including its structures and rules of participation—its exact political or legal positioning matters less. Horizon Europe in the current long-term budget of the EU (MFF) sits under Heading 1: Single Market, Innovation and Digital and is part of the ‘new and reinforced priorities’ alongside the Common Agricultural Policy and Cohesion Policy. If placing FP10 under a ‘Competitiveness Fund’ heading in the next MFF helps politically secure the substantial funding increase required, that could be acceptable—provided that the key aspects and elements of Horizon Europe, which currently ensure the effective participation of top researchers and innovators across Europe, are maintained. There are many lessons to be learnt from the implementation of Horizon Europe, including where there is room for improvement. CESAER has published many papers on this, but to me, it is equally clear that the framework programme for research and innovation provides enormous European value-add. We should build on that strong foundation to usher in the ‘new age of invention and ingenuity’. More details in Science|Business article that has just been published 👇 https://lnkd.in/eB6TanGi

A stronger Europe through research & innovation Joint statement published today by CESAER, EARTO, ERT, EUA, LERU, Science Europe and The Guild.

Check out our Research careers report for more information on the proposed 'Choose Europe' pilot! 👉 https://lnkd.in/eTk2G3nt

Following an invitation from Executive Vice-President Roxana Minzatu of the European Commission, the Presidents of key stakeholder organisations gathered yesterday at the Commission’s headquarters in the Berlaymont building in Brussels to help co-design the upcoming Union of Skills, launched as part of the Competitiveness Compass. The meeting was restricted to Presidents and equivalent roles, so as Secretaries-General, we took part in a debrief lunch afterwards, kindly hosted by The Guild. Based on the discussions, there is much to welcome in the plans for the Union of Skills, including the development of a STEM Education Strategic Plan and further strengthening of cross-border collaboration between universities, particularly through the European Universities initiative. It was also encouraging to hear that reinforcing Erasmus+ and Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions is considered a priority by the Commission to position Europe as a global magnet for talent. Additionally, there was strong recognition of the need to remove barriers for talent both within Europe and externally. For example, top talent in science and technology who come to study in Europe but face obstacles, such as visa challenges, when seeking to stay. It was great to see that initial feedback from CESAER and others has been taken into account. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Executive Vice-President Mînzatu, her team, and the broader European Commission to advance this vital agenda. It was clear that there is a shared understanding that boosting high-level skills and attracting and retaining top talent—especially in advanced science and technology—are crucial for the EU to deliver on its strategic priorities, from closing the innovation gap to enhancing competitiveness, sustainability, and security. Many thanks to The Guild for hosting the debrief lunch! As seen in the photo, participants included: - CESAER President Orla Feely (President, University College Dublin) - European University Association President Josep M. Garrell (former Rector, Universitat Ramon Llull) and Secretary General Amanda Crowfoot - League of European Research Universities (LERU) Board member Sari Lindblom (Rector, University of Helsinki) - The Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities Chair Anders Hagfeldt (Vice-Chancellor, Uppsala University) and Secretary General Amanda Crowfoot - YERUN - Young European Research Universities Vice-President Adam Kola (Vice-Rector, Nicolaus Copernicus University) and Secretary General Silvia Gómez Recio - Coimbra Group Chair Ludovic THILLY, Vice-Chair Beatrix Busse and Director Emmanuelle Gardan Looking forward to continuing our joint efforts for European research, innovation, and higher education!

At today's FP10 public hearing in the European Parliament, Manuel Heitor summarised the key messages from the Align, Act, Accelerate report and contextualised them with three key developments: 1) Defence as a major driver of European competitiveness, highlighting its critical connection to research and innovation. 2) The vital importance of attracting, retaining, and nurturing talent, including the proposal for a Choose Europe programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, as outlined in the Align, Act, Accelerate report and further elaborated in the CESAER Research Careers report published last month. 3) The need to take more calculated risks, embracing failure as a standard and acceptable step towards change and innovation. In the EU context, this involves launching a unit for experimentation in research and innovation within the Commission, and support for a more elaborate 'European DARPA' approach in the EU funding landscape.