Proposal for a COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION on the European Research Area Policy Agenda 2025-2027

EUROPEAN COMMISSION Proposal for a COUNCIL RECOMMENDATION Brussels, 28.2.2025 COM(2025) 62 final 2025/0034 (NLE) on the European Research Area Policy Agenda 2025-2027 (Text with EEA relevance) EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 1. CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL • Reasons for and objectives of the proposal The purpose of the European Research Area (ERA) is to create an area where ‘researchers, scientific knowledge and technology circulate freely’ (Article 179 TFEU). The ERA was relaunched in 2020, including the adoption of the Pact for Research and Innovation (R&I)1 in Europe, articulating the following Member States’ joint priority areas for action: (1) deepening a truly functioning internal market for knowledge; (2) taking up together the green transition and digital transformation and other challenges with impact on society, and increasing society’s participation in the ERA; (3) enhancing access to R&I excellence across the Union and enhancing interconnections between innovation ecosystems across the Union; (4) advancing concerted R&I investments and reforms. By setting up new governance structures and a first ERA Policy Agenda 2022-2024 with concrete actions, the EU injected fresh momentum into the ERA, aligning R&I strategies and policies. Notable progress has been made through collaboration with Member States, particularly in addressing the fragmentation of their R&I systems. Initiatives have focused on researcher careers, research infrastructures, open...