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Paths ahead to strengthen R&I for Europe’s competitiveness

2026 EUA R&I Forum
02 Dec 2026 | 13:00-18:00 CET On-Site
Residence Palace, Brussels, Belgium

As part of the 2026 EUA R&I Forum, this afternoon event will explore the role of research and innovation in a transforming Europe.

The first panel will bring together experts from key EU institutions and R&I stakeholders, focusing on the European Research Area Act and the next steps towards making the fifth freedom a reality:

  • How will the ERA Act transform Europe’s R&I landscape?
  • How can the Act, in practice, achieve the free circulation of research, innovation and knowledge across the EU?
  • What are the next steps in the process towards the adoption of the Act?

The second panel will feature a discussion with policy makers, business associations and universities on the evolving processes shaping Horizon Europe 2028-2034:

  • What will be the programme’s key topics and features?
  • How will the interplay between Horizon Europe and the new European Competitiveness Fund work in practice?
  • What budget can we expect?

 

Confirmed speakers

  • Alexandre Affre, Deputy Director General for Industrial Affairs, Entrepreneurship and SMEs, Business Europe
  • Senena Corbalán, former Vice-Rector for Research, University of Murcia, Spain; Member of EUA’s Research and Innovation Strategy Group
  • Magda De Carli, Head of Unit, Spreading Excellence and Research Careers; Deputy Director for ERA & Innovation, Directorate-General Research and Innovation, European Commission
  • Jacqueline Grech, ERA Forum Member State co-chair, Deputy Director, Strategy and Policy, Xjenza Malta
  • Henrike Hartmann, Head of Business Unit Funding, Member of the Executive Board, Volkswagen Foundation, Germany
  • Andrea Höglinger, Vice-Rector for Research, Graz University of Technology, Austria; Member of EUA’s Research and Innovation Strategy Group (RISG)
  • Eszter Lakos, Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur for the Parliament’s resolution on the upcoming European Research Area Act
  • Colm O’Reardon, Secretary General, Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU
  • Marcin Pałys, Vice-President and Chair of the Research and Innovation Strategy Group, EUA; former Rector, University of Warsaw, Poland
  • René Repasi, Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur for the Specific Programme implementing Horizon Europe 2028-2034

More information, including a registration link will follow shortly. The event will be followed by a networking reception.

Are you a member of one of EUA’s R&I expert groups or a representative of one of our collective members joining us for the internal morning sessions before the public event? Learn more in the next tab.

Prior to the public event on the afternoon of 2 December, the second EUA R&I Forum will bring together members of EUA’s Research and Innovation Strategy Group, Expert Group on Innovation, Expert Group on Open Science and the EUA Council for Doctoral Education Steering Committee, as well as representatives of EUA’s collective members (national rectors’ conferences).

During the morning sessions, we will reflect on cross-cutting topics and emerging trends of strategic importance for universities, including artificial intelligence, knowledge security and Open Science.

This part of the Forum will also feature a closed-door exchange with a representative of the EU institutions focusing on the current European landscape for research and innovation as well as key challenges and opportunities in R&I funding programmes. 

TAGS
R&I Policy
Horizon Europe
European Research Area
EU R&I programmes
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