Open Letter on the future of research and innovation in the European Union
The following text was sent to the President of the European Commission, Dr Ursula von der Leyen, as an open letter from the Alliance of Science Organizations – signed by the spokesperson of the Alliance of Science Organizations, Prof. Holger Hanselka, President of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft.
The recent reports by Mario Draghi, Manuel Heitor and Enrico Letta place great emphasis on the structural importance of innovation, technology development and, not least, the knowledge economy for the EU’s growth and competitiveness. We welcome the fact that you are taking up approaches from these reports in your plans for your second term of office as Commission President to place research and innovation at the center of the European competitiveness agenda. In view of the current geopolitical challenges, we also see the need to give the highest political priority to strengthening Europe’s competitiveness. With this in mind, we have high expectations for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) from 2028.
Against this background, it is imperative to reiterate three principles that are fundamental to the success of such a European research and innovation agenda:
1) Europe needs ambitious investment in research and innovation, as well as planning security. To contribute to the competitiveness of the European knowledge economy, investment in research and innovation in the next MFF must be significantly increased. The agility of the MFF is important, but at the same time, the research and innovation budget must be protected from short-term reallocations in favor of other sectors. The announced investment intentions must be consistently backed up by a clearly defined framework program within the meaning of Article 182 TFEU. Scientific breakthroughs and excellence cannot be planned in the short term. They are the result of long-term, stable investments. Planning security is therefore indispensable for the further development and strengthening of a flourishing research ecosystem.
2) The value of R&I extends beyond its contribution to competitiveness. To ensure the advancement of excellent research and innovation in Europe, there is a need for long-term funding that allows risk-taking, is open to new topics and is guided by the criterion of scientific excellence. A more flexible framework for research and innovation, guided by scientific freedom and responsible internationalization, will ensure that we continue to maintain high quality standards.
3) To achieve maximum impact, Europe needs a clearly defined framework program with funding actions along the entire innovation chain. The innovation process is systemic, interactive and non-linear. It involves basic research, applied research and the transfer of research results to the market and society. European collaborative research plays a pivotal role in this, uniting all relevant actors from research, industry and society. It fosters the transnational exchange of knowledge and resources, while facilitating international collaboration.
For the Alliance of Science Organizations in Germany, it is essential that these principles are taken into account so that funding for research and innovation can be provided in a reliable, forward-looking and independent manner.