A new ERA for research and innovation
27.4.2021
Question for oral answer O-000031/2021
to the Commission
Rule 136
Cristian-Silviu Buşoi
on behalf of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy
The European Research Area (ERA), initially launched in 2000 under the Treaty of Lisbon, underwent a revitalisation process in 2018. This represented an effort to create a single, borderless market for research, innovation and technology across the EU. The objective of creating a genuine single market for research reconfirms the goal of realising an average spending level for research of 3% of GDP. Research ministers have reaffirmed their commitment to reaching this target by 2030.
In order to achieve a strong research base in Europe, we need consistent efforts. We would therefore welcome concrete answers from the Commission to the following questions:
- 1.Will the Commission take decisive steps to speed up the delivery of a toolbox providing support for all researchers’ careers, currently scheduled for the end of 2024? How exactly will the Commission help to improve conditions for researchers and provide sustainable career paths, especially for young researchers? What steps will the Commission take in order to monitor and uphold academic freedom in the EU?
- 2.How does the Commission intend to align, leverage and incentivise private investments in order to complement current ERA resources and boost R&I spending in order to accelerate the green and digital transitions, and a resilient and socially fair recovery? Will there be a dashboard for following the returns on investments? Have any public safeguards along these lines been envisaged? How can NextGenerationEU funds be used to incentivise partnerships between academia and the private sector for innovation?
- 3.How exactly will the Commission help to reduce the gap between the Member States which are lagging behind the EU average over the next five years? What precisely would a dedicated work stream in the ERA Forum aimed at supporting Member States performing less well in terms of R&I entail?
Submitted: 27.4.2021
Lapses: 28.7.2021