Future legislative act for the European Research Area is under public consultation

The European Commission has launched a public consultation on the future European Research Area Legislative Act , aimed at obtaining comments and suggestions that will help to improve and complete the document.

This legislative act is, in part, a response to the Draghi and Letta reports, which highlight the need for a European Union (EU) with a more competitive Research and Innovation (R&I) ecosystem. It also aims to support the so-called " fifth freedom " – the free movement of researchers, scientific knowledge, and technology within the EU Single Market.

The Commission also seeks to ensure that improved global competitiveness will increase the EU's ability to attract investment and retain talent by providing better conditions for researchers, such as mobility and free movement.

The three main policy measures being considered for this future Act are: national commitments by Member States to achieve a 3% target for R&I; improved harmonization of investments; and policies and improvements in conditions for R&I and researchers in the EU.

This proposal for a future legislative act also drew on other existing initiatives: the Pact for Research and Innovation ( Publications Office ); the ERA Policy Agenda 2022-2024 ( ERA Policy Agenda 2022-2024 | European Research Area Platform ) and 2025-2027 ( ERA Policy Agenda 2025-2027 | European Research Area Platform ); the European Parliament resolution of January 2024 ( TA ) and Choose Europe for Science ( Choose Europe: advance your research career in the EU ).

The European Research Area Act public consultation will be available until September 10, 2025.