The European Commission has unveiled a new strategy designed to reinforce research and technology infrastructures and keep Europe at the forefront of global science and innovation.
Central to the plan are five areas of action: expanding capacities with AI and digitalisation, simplifying access for researchers, developing talent, reforming governance, and enhancing international resilience.
Together, these priorities aim to make Europe’s research ecosystem more accessible, integrated, and competitive on the world stage.
Ekaterina Zaharieva, EU Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation, explained: “An ambitious and coordinated European approach to research and technology infrastructures is crucial for us to remain a global leader in excellent science and in technology innovation.
“With our new strategy we will ensure that scientists, researchers and innovators across Europe, including startups and scaleups, have easy access to state-of-the-art facilities and tailored services to develop and test their products and services.”
Expanding capacities and embracing AI
The first action point calls for strengthening Europe’s infrastructure ecosystem.
This means mobilising investment, increasing research capacity, and ensuring that facilities – from clean rooms to particle accelerators – match user needs.
The strategy highlights the transformative role of digitalisation and AI in boosting efficiency and creating smarter, interconnected infrastructures.
Simplifying access across Europe
A second focus is on ensuring easier access for scientists, startups, and scaleups.
By providing a continuum of complementary services across borders, the EU aims to accelerate scientific breakthroughs and move innovations from research to real-world applications more quickly.
This approach will help deliver technologies that are market-ready and socially impactful.
Attracting and developing world-class talent
No infrastructure can thrive without people. The third action area strengthens career pathways for technicians, researchers, and scientific leaders.
The strategy emphasises training and skills development, alongside measures to draw international talent.
Through its ‘Choose Europe’ initiative, the EU seeks to position itself as the destination of choice for top minds in research and technology.
Reforming governance for long-term investment
Improving governance is the fourth priority. The Commission plans to simplify decision-making processes, align funding priorities among Member States, and increase coordination across funding sources.
These reforms aim to provide greater predictability for investors and ensure that public funds deliver maximum impact across the research ecosystem.
Building international reach and resilience
Finally, the strategy highlights the importance of strengthening international cooperation and resilience.
By working with strategic partners and integrating candidate countries into the European Research Area, the EU seeks to address global challenges.
Risk management will also play a role, particularly around critical data and facilities, to safeguard Europe’s technological sovereignty.
Securing Europe’s scientific future
By placing these five priorities at the heart of its new strategy, the Commission is reinforcing Europe’s capacity to lead in science, innovation, and industrial competitiveness.
Stronger research and technology infrastructures promise not only to attract global talent but also to deliver solutions to society’s most urgent challenges.
