EC Publishes: Align, Act, Accelerate - Research, Technology and Innovation to Boost European Competitiveness

On 16 October, the European Commission (EC) released a report “Align, act, accelerate”. This independent expert report offers strategic recommendations aimed at maximising the impact of European Union (EU) research and innovation (R&I) programmes in the future. Drawing on preliminary findings and data from Horizon Europe, along with insights from the ex-post evaluation of Horizon 2020 and other sources, it advocates for a transformative agenda. This agenda addresses four critical and interdependent areas of action and suggests that specific actions should be implemented in the final three years of Horizon Europe (2025-2027) while being integrated into future EU support for research and innovation.

The current report highlights that the current EU approach to funding research and innovation is not effective. The EC is urged to explore new strategies to improve this funding framework. Authored by a group of 15 experts led by former Portuguese science minister Manuel Heitor, this report is rich with proposals for new councils, efficiencies, and restructuring efforts. It candidly acknowledges that most EU and national research programs primarily support "incremental scientific advances, development, and innovation," rather than fostering transformative paradigm shifts. 

Over the past decade, numerous warnings have echoed this sentiment. A significant study released last year found that "papers and patents are increasingly less likely to break with the past in ways that push science and technology in new directions." This lack of groundbreaking inventions has contributed to stagnation for the average individual.