The second ERA Policy Agenda outlines voluntary activities for the European Research Area (ERA) from 2025 to 2027. Similar to the first ERA Policy Agenda 2022-24, these activities aim to transform the priority areas set by the Pact for Research and Innovation (R&I) in Europe into concrete activities, bringing EU Member States, countries associated to Horizon Europe, R&I stakeholders and the Commission together to make the ERA a reality.
The 19 ERA activities have emerged from a unique collaborative process. EU Member States, the European Commission, countries associated to Horizon Europe, and R&I stakeholders have teamed up to shape the ERA Policy Agenda 2025-2027. This process took place within the ERA Forum, guided strategically by the European Research Area and Innovation Committee (ERAC).
The ERA Policy Agenda 2025-2027 has three main building blocks (see image below):
- The policy narrative sets the scene for the broader goals and ambitions and highlights the achievements and lessons learnt.
- 11 structural policies outline long-term undertakings, embedded in national and European policy, such as open science, research infrastructures and research careers. While their vision requires efforts beyond the three-year work cycle, they still have specific objectives and a work plan to be achieved within the ERA Policy Agenda.
- 8 ERA actions are filling specific gaps on new or emerging issues, such as artificial intelligence in science. They have time-bound objectives or are piloting an initiative, such as research security.
Over the next three years (2025-2027), the Commission, European countries and stakeholders will work together to achieve progress on these ERA activities. Find out more about each initiative by clicking in the image below.