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
- Madga 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
- 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.
https://www.eua.eu/events/eua-events/paths-ahead-to-strengthen-r-i-for-europes-competitiveness.html