ERA PRIORITY 1: Deepening a truly functional internal market for knowledge

Action 1: Enable the open sharing of knowledge and the reuse of research outputs, including through the development of the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC)

Key findings Action 1: Enable the open sharing of knowledge and the reuse of research outputs, including through the development of the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC)

During the review period, ERA Action 1 has made significant progress in fostering the open sharing and reuse of research outputs through the development of EOSC:

The EOSC EU Node became operational in October 2024 as the first node of the EOSC Federation, providing services to researchers and capabilities enabling the interconnection with additional nodes.
Processes for integrating additional EOSC Nodes were developed, including a dialogue initiated with 29 candidate nodes, encompassing thematic and national infrastructures.
The EOSC Federation Handbook outlines the governance, operational structures, and rules of participation for EOSC Nodes.
In 2024, the EOSC Association established new Task Forces and Opportunity Area Expert Groups, enhancing EOSC’s capacity for technical and collaborative development.
The EOSC Observatory integrates new data sources, while annual surveys provide comprehensive insights into national contributions to Open Science (OS) and EOSC.

These advancements reflect the continued commitment to OS principles and the operationalisation of EOSC as a federated infrastructure. Key challenges remain, including harmonising national contributions, increasing the uptake of EOSC by researchers and ensuring the sustainability of the EOSC Federation beyond 2027.

Action 2: Propose an EU copyright and data legislative and regulatory framework fit for research

Key findings Action 2: Propose an EU copyright and data legislative and regulatory framework fit for research

During the review period, ERA Action 2 aimed to improve access to and reuse of publicly funded research and innovation results as well as publications and data for scientific purposes by providing evidence on legal and regulatory barriers and identifying policy options to overcome them:

The study ‘Improving access to and reuse of research results, publications and data for scientific purposes’ (2024) evaluated the effects of EU copyright frameworks and research data legislation. It identified barriers such as the high cost of accessing and making research outputs available in Open Access as well as legal uncertainty about how research output can be used and shared. It proposed legislative and non-legislative policy options to address these issues.
Focused examination of an EU-wide Secondary Publication Right (SPR), analysing its potential benefits and the impact of the limitations attached to SPR, such as embargo periods, research outputs covered, use-requirements etc. affecting the way it has been implemented in Member States (i.e., Germany, France, Belgium, Austria, the Netherlands). Bulgaria introduced SPR during the study and was therefore not analysed.
Analysis of how the research exceptions to EU copyright rules have been implemented in Member States. The study finds that the implementation is fragmented due to the voluntary and limited scope of the research exceptions, causing legal uncertainty about how the exceptions can be applied in research projects.
Investigation into EU data and digital legislation, highlighting complexities in legal compliance for researchers due to inconsistent provisions across laws like the Open Data Directive, Data Governance Act, Data Act, Digital Services Act, Digital Markets Act and AI Act. Recommendations included standardising terminologies, integrating research considerations into regulations, and improving monitoring mechanisms.

Although no legislative proposals have been put forward so far, the findings provide a foundation for possible future policy measures.

Action 3: Advance towards the reform of the assessment system for research, researchers and institutions to improve their quality, performance and impact

Key findings Action 3: Advance towards the reform of the assessment system for research, researchers and institutions to improve their quality, performance and impact

During the review period, ERA Action 3 initiatives supported the reform of the assessment system for researchers, including through the promotion of a broader recognition of research contributions, and enhanced and responsible use of qualitative assessment tools and metrics:

Expanded Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment (CoARA), which has grown to over 700 member organisations, established 13 working groups, and formed 16 national chapters. Over 150 institutional action plans have been developed and are now entering the implementation phase. CoARA Boost has provided significant support, including cascading grants to implement reform actions and fostering international collaboration.
Horizon Europe projects supporting reform, such as OPUS, SciLake, GraspOS, and SECURE, piloting new assessment frameworks, building data infrastructure, enhancing career frameworks, and integrating Open Science practices into research evaluation.
Integration of reform into funding programmes, including the European Universities Initiative and the European Excellence Initiative, have engaged Higher Education Institutions in research assessment reform, with some alliances developing strategies and piloting new approaches.

These achievements substantially contributed to advance ERA Action 3. However, challenges remain, such as fostering greater diversity and inclusion in assessment practices, addressing cultural and structural barriers, and ensuring consistent implementation across Member States.

Action 4: Promote attractive research careers, talent circulation and mobility

Key findings Action 4: Promote attractive research careers, talent circulation and mobility

During the review period, ERA Action 4 promoted attractive and sustainable research careers, balanced talent circulation, and improved inter-sectoral and interdisciplinary mobility, focusing on improved working conditions, supportive frameworks, and accessible resources for researchers:

A new Council Recommendation provides a European framework to attract and retain research, innovation and entrepreneurial talents in Europe. It bundles the previous Charter and Code for researchers into a new European Charter for Researchers.
The ERA Talent Platform bundles existing and new tools such as EURAXESS, the HR Excellence in Research award, RESAVER, ReICO, ResearchComp, and the Innovation Talent Platform under a single point of entry.
The partnership on the Research and Innovation Careers Observatory (ReICO) between the European Commission and the OECD promises improved insights into the impact of these actions on researchers’ careers.
Two Mutual Learning Exercises (MLE) under the Horizon Europe Policy Support Facility (PSF) provide good practices for the implementation of the new framework and tools at national level.
A Horizon Europe pilot call will create Talent Ecosystems centred around early-career researchers, supporting inter-sectoral partners to implement the European Charter for Researchers and improving the working conditions and employability of researchers. Other Horizon Europe projects provide important deliverables contributing to more attractive research careers.

A challenge is to promote and support further implementation of the new measures beyond 2024, with a view to improving national R&I systems and making Europe an attractive destination for EU and international ‘top talents’.

Action 5: Promote gender equality and foster inclusiveness, taking note of the Ljubljana Declaration

Key findings Action 5: Promote gender equality and foster inclusiveness, taking note of the Ljubljana Declaration

ERA Action 5, supported by the ERA Forum Subgroup on Inclusive Gender Equality in the ERA, has addressed the structural barriers to gender equality through the implementation of inclusive Gender Equality Plans (GEPs), and providing guidance on provisions tackling the Gender-Based Violence (GBV), and on integration the gender dimensions into R&I content and contexts.

The introduction of GEPs in Horizon Europe as an eligibility criterion for research organisations, HEIs and public bodies in 2022 has strengthened or enhanced further development of new gender equality strategies, with spillover effects extending to the private sector and and sustaining momentum in this reporting period.
A Zero-Tolerance Code of Conduct was developed by the Subgroup to address GBV in R&I, supported by the GENDERACTIONplus and GenderSAFE projects. The publication followed up the debates of the two Presidency conferences focusing on ‘Ending Gender-Based Violence in Academia’, one of which was organised in the autumn of 2023 to foster safe and inclusive environments in academic and research institutions.
The INSPIRE-project established a Centre of Excellence on Inclusive Gender Equality. It also launched Knowledge and Support Hubs to assist over 95 institutions with inclusive GEP implementation.
A framework for the integration and evaluation of inclusive gender analysis in R&I content was developed by the Subgroup, supported by GENDERACTIONplus project.

During the reporting period, ERA Action 5 has further advanced the implementation of gender equality into R&I systems and fostered structural changes through inclusive GEPs and intersectional approaches. However, structural impacts are slow to materialise, and institutions often lack the capacity, skills, and leadership commitment needed to implement effective changes. Enhanced monitoring and evaluation, along with greater opportunities for experience-sharing and capacity-building, will be crucial to achieving the long-term objectives in this area.

Action 6: Protect academic freedom in Europe

Key findings Action 6: Protect academic freedom

During the review period, ERA Action 6 sought to safeguard freedom of scientific research and protect R&I from domestic and foreign threats. Initiatives focused on developing tools to address foreign interference and promoting and protecting the freedom of scientific research:

Horizon Europe Policy Support Facility – Mutual Learning Exercise on tackling foreign interference has been conducted in 2023-2024.
European digital one-stop-shop platform on tackling foreign interference is being developed to consolidate resources and guidance and help researchers and institutions address foreign interference challenges while upholding academic freedom.
Expert consultations revealed the complexity of establishing a comprehensive EU monitoring mechanism for freedom of scientific research due to the diverse threats and practical challenges.
Study is ongoing to provide an evidence base for a potential legislative proposal on the promotion and protection of the freedom of scientific research in the EU.

ERA Action 6 initiatives have made significant progress to protect academic freedom in Europe. However, feasibility studies revealed challenges in implementing certain objectives, such as establishing a European monitoring mechanism and an Open-Source Intelligence Tool (OSINT), which, given the complicated nature, has taken more time to start but will move ahead in 2025.

Action 7: Upgrade EU guidance for a better knowledge valorisation

Key findings Action 7: Upgrade EU guidance for a better knowledge valorisation

During the review period, ERA Action 7 strengthened the transition from traditional knowledge transfer to a dynamic system of knowledge valorisation, fostering collaboration across the R&I landscape and promoting innovative practices. Initiatives in place emphasised leveraging knowledge assets to address societal and economic challenges, enabling efficient value creation along complex knowledge value-chains.

New collaboration has been established in 2024 between the European Commission and the European Patent Office (EPO) through a letter of intent, and the collaboration with the EU Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) was also updated.
Additional Codes of Practice on citizen engagement and industry-academia have been developed in 2024, providing strategic approaches and tools to enhance knowledge valorisation and supporting the implementation of the Guiding Principles for Knowledge Valorisation.
A study on citizen engagement in knowledge valorisation was published in January 2024, accompanied by the expansion of the EU Knowledge Valorisation Platform.
A Mutual Learning Exercise on knowledge valorisation was completed in 2024, focusing on skills, inter-sectoral cooperation, and incentive systems. The findings were summarised in a final report with a policy toolbox to guide implementation across the ERA.
Awareness-raising events were conducted across Member States, supported by the EU Knowledge Valorisation Talks and the Stakeholder Conference on knowledge valorisation.
Several Horizon Europe projects foster knowledge valorisation and efficient IP management. In addition, initiatives like the Standardisation Booster provide services to R&I actors.

ERA Action 7 has delivered on its objectives and introduced additional initiatives. Moving forward, the focus will need to further shift towards increasing stakeholder understanding and adoption of the guiding principles and codes of practice. Addressing challenges related to professionalising knowledge valorisation services, enhancing intermediaries, and fostering industry-research-science collaboration and citizen engagement will be critical in the next ERA Policy Agenda to maximise the societal and economic impact of R&I outputs.

Action 8: Strengthen sustainability, accessibility and resilience of research infrastructures

Key findings Action 8: Strengthen sustainability, accessibility and resilience of research infrastructures

During the review period, ERA Action 8 initiatives have advanced the ERA by enhancing the role of research infrastructures (RIs) in the ecosystem, fostering cooperation, and addressing sustainability challenges.

The 2024 Strategic Landscape Analysis, now decoupled from the ESFRI Roadmap, provided a comprehensive overview of the RI ecosystem, identifying synergies, gaps, and challenges, and aligning RIs with societal priorities such as the twin transition
The ESFRI Roadmap update (2024-2026) introduced a call for new RI projects and upgrades, with a significant focus on financial sustainability of the RI ecosystem and introducing environmental considerations as additional key requirement. The performance monitoring for ESFRI Landmarks has also been conducted, reinforcing efforts to enhance RI resilience and adaptability and to maintain their world class position.
The revised European Charter of Access (2024) seeks to improve RI accessibility and governance, promoting collaboration with socio-economic actors and championing open science. Horizon Europe funding for RIs also played an important role in supporting trans-national access to RIs.
New opportunities for cooperation between RIs and stakeholders have been launched, including the ERIC Forum Meetups and ESFRI-EOSC Task Force. Initiatives like the RITIFI project and specific ESFRI activities seek to strengthen RI-Technology Infrastructure (TI) and RI-industry collaborations, addressing shared challenges.

These efforts have strengthened the role of RIs in EU R&I ecosystems, contributing to ensure a broader accessibility, enhancing their efficiency, and supporting long-term development. Nonetheless, challenges persist. Future efforts will focus on increased strategic alignment with EU priorities, enhancing resilience, fostering interaction with Tis and industry, addressing funding gaps and supporting long-term sustainability to maximise the impact of RIs.

Action 9: Promote international cooperation

Key findings Action 9: Promote international cooperation

The initiatives under ERA Action 9 have advanced the EU’s strategic objectives for international cooperation in R&I, with several initiatives going beyond the set of objectives.

The Commission continued coordinating the Multilateral Dialogue on Principles and Values in International R&I Cooperation, which featured a series of thematic workshops and a ministerial meeting adopting the ‘Brussels Statement’. The Dialogue is bringing together countries and stakeholders to build a common understanding of key principles and values in R&I, including academic freedom, ethics, Open Science, and gender equality.
The Commission launched the development of a structured European Framework for Science Diplomacy, supported by working groups consisting of scientists and diplomats and high-level conferences, which will enhance the EU’s role as a global leader in science diplomacy.
The Commission and Member States initiated pilot initiatives based on a Team Europe approach for the EU to become more strategic in its R&I relations with Africa and China, and undertook efforts to better coordinate European players in multilateral settings.

These efforts have strengthened EU leadership in global R&I, promoted shared values, and positioned science and technology as integral tools for international cooperation and strategic autonomy.