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As knowledge is appropriated for political power, universities must insist on research collaboration as a common public good, says Jan Palmowski

Programme for early career researchers sees record demand but EU distributes less money than last year

Scholarship ‘risks drifting away from excellence-based peer review and towards serving insider interests’ when cliques dominate, warns study

As Western nations desperately seek meaningful economic growth, many are pondering whether to direct more of their research budgets towards industrial priorities. That is a policy Ireland has pursued since the 2008 economic crash. But researchers remain divided on its wisdom. Seher Asaf reports 

Stress-testing academic arguments for weaknesses is uncomfortable for scholars but it should never have become controversial, says Ian Pace

Significant gaps in research infrastructure and funding have made it difficult for universities to take full advantage of EU integration

Asian giant follows South Korea in associating with flagship programme, gaining access to funds for research that addresses societal challenges

‘Data transparency crisis’ in research stems from failure to police mandates on sharing results, researchers argue

Political, financial and organisational issues abound, but effective funding for collaborative, bottom-up research would be a boon, says Jan Palmowski

Nobel winner and mRNA vaccine pioneer criticises career-driven publications that lack scientific novelty

Russell Group and German U15 urge EU leaders to ensure the next research framework is open to all ‘trusted partners’

UK again claims top spot in highly competitive scheme, with big increase in interest from US researchers after relocation funding announced

Finance minister backs task force’s call for ‘new breakthrough innovation entity’ to work with German equivalent

Gaps in understanding between universities and their external partners leave students in a ‘vulnerable position’, report finds

Rapid turnaround of grants and early termination of misfiring projects show how funders can adapt processes to support work in new fields, says executive at Germany’s disruptive research funder

University groups say plans to reduce funding for flagship research programme an â€˜astonishing act of political incoherence’

Latest effort to lure leading scholars to Europe comes as concerns grow over political oversight of research in the US

Non-commercial basic research and PhDs in arts and humanities subjects at risk under Research Ireland plan, argue scholars

Only a dedicated directorate-general stands a chance of keeping Horizon Europe separate from the competitiveness agenda, says Jan Palmowski

Renowned research sleuth says Stanford University president scandal underlines need for external inquiries when senior staff are accused

Support for two major science projects is hailed by city’s mayor as an important turning point in UK science policy

Findings strengthen case that UK should agree early access to next framework programme as soon as possible, say v-cs

Proposed ‘minimum standards’ for research careers argue scholars should expect the same living standards across the continent

Former commission head discusses competitiveness focus of ‘revolutionary’ Horizon programme, why Europe has to increase spending on defence research and the need for more scientific expertise in policymaking

Research-intensive universities in associated countries say delays would risk collaboration in â€˜strategically important’ science

The European Research Council’s swiftly withdrawn proposal to limit resubmissions was decried as an own goal for the â€˜Champions League’ of research. But how else can the pressure be eased on referees? And is excellence still tenable as the sole criterion of selections? Jack Grove reports 

Institutions must articulate ‘clear narrative’ about what makes them different in competitive global environment, summit hears

European universities struggling to meet demand for skilled graduates at critical point for region’s role in space exploration

Council exempts four grant schemes from controversial changes following concerns that plan would â€˜discourage bold ideas’

Plans to limit reapplications to European Research Council will penalise bold and original proposals and early career researchers, senior researchers claim

Informal applications of AI, such as academics using tools to grade student work, could potentially fall foul of wide-ranging legislation, policy expert warns

Peer review panels will be overwhelmed unless longer restrictions on reapplying are introduced, according to Maria Leptin

Early career publishing success is a reliable guide to whether scientists will succeed long term, concludes international study

Professor who set up publisher four years ago to redirect revenue to those doing quality control says it has been an ‘uphill battle’

With polls predicting defeat for Viktor Orbán in Sunday’s elections there are hopes that controversial governance reforms â€“ copied by Donald Trump and other populist politicians – will be abolished. Yet not all scholars are convinced that reversing a decade of contested legislation criticised for restricting academic freedom would be straightforward, says Seher Asaf

Countries representing a quarter of bloc’s population receive just one in 20 grants, finds new report

Early data from Germany, France and elsewhere show rising interest from international researchers but experts warn that a lack of career progression could hamper efforts

Associating before 2027 would put country in the ‘box seat’ to access and influence massive research scheme’s next iteration

The quality of Ehler and Repasi’s amendments will force the European Council and Commission to take them extremely seriously, says Jan Palmowski

Two draft parliamentary reports seek to protect independence of key bodies but universities say more clarity is needed on directionality and defence research

As proposals for the future Horizon Europe are scrutinised by the European Parliament, we discuss likely changes to the seven-year funding programme and whether it can support a coalition of like-minded powers amid the current geopolitical upheaval

Commission ambitions diverge from major issues universities face, leading sector figures tell parliament event

As the geopolitical order shifts, the case for greater collaboration among like-minded nations on research and innovation seems obvious. But will a greater European focus on its own industrial competitiveness dissuade the likes of Canada, Australia and Japan from signing up? Seher Asaf reports

Universities launch new programmes to train engineers after coming under pressure to better meet continent’s skills needs

Universities want ‘clear division’ between FP10 and competitiveness fund to protect frontier research

Authors must put aside personal pride and seek retractions when their literature proves unreliable, says sleuth

Only 9.6 per cent of applicants awarded coveted Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions fellowships, with many postdoctoral researchers saying the programme has become too competitive

After years of turbulence in the higher education sector, Dutch universities say the incoming government marks ‘change of direction’

Borderless market for research across the EU seen as ‘major opportunity’ but key groups fear ‘overly restrictive measures’

Enrolments up as universities find ways to connect with country’s huge diaspora, but deputy minister fears many students and academics who have been out of the country for so long unlikely to ever return

Success in securing ‘consolidator’ awards continues Britain’s resurgence since rejoining Horizon research initiative

Lottery-first approach can increase applications and success rate of ‘structurally disadvantaged’ researchers, study finds

University groups unite to fight for amendments to EU’s proposals for Horizon Europe successor, warning that it must remain independent

‘Remains to be seen’ whether initial influx of interest in Europe will consolidate into a trend in years ahead, experts say

R&D funders urged to work together to boost global standing of both countries in wake of new treaty

Successful research projects in scheme designed to foster collaboration involve 21 US-based grantees, up from 12 in 2024

Leading European institutions warn of ‘risk of instrumentalisation’ and say they should be allowed to determine their own role in bloc’s agenda

As European nations thrash out ideas to ‘safeguard’ knowledge, Australian progress has stalled, expert warns

Low wages and system reforms blamed as gap opens up between number of older scientists and new entrants

The European Research Area was first proposed 25 years ago in the hope of levelling up Europe’s national research systems and challenging global rivals. Implementing that vision has been achingly slow, but with legislation pending, is serious progress now realistic? Emily Dixon reports