The European Commission has launched a public consultation on the forthcoming European Research Area (ERA) Act, a key initiative under the EU Competitiveness Compass announced in January 2025. The proposed ERA Act aims to create a legal framework to strengthen Europe’s research and innovation (R&I) landscape and advance the so-called “fifth freedom” — the free movement of researchers, knowledge, and technology across the European Union.

Building on the 2024 strategic reports by Enrico Letta and Mario Draghi, the initiative seeks to further integrate research and innovation within the EU Single Market, reduce disparities between Member States, and enhance Europe’s global competitiveness in science and technology.

Purpose of the Consultation

The consultation invites input from all stakeholders engaged or interested in R&I. Its goal is to gather views on the main challenges and possible EU-level policy responses for the ERA Act. The Commission is especially interested in feedback on how to:

• Meet EU-wide R&D investment goals through both public and private funding;
• Align national and EU research policies and programmes more effectively;
• Promote academic freedom, inclusiveness, and research ethics;
• Strengthen the working and mobility conditions of researchers, including support for open science and career development.

Key Themes of the Consultation

The questionnaire focuses on several strategic areas:

1. Boosting R&D Investment
• Progressing toward the EU target of 3% of GDP for R&D.
• Reducing gaps in research capacity among Member States.
• Encouraging better coordination of public and private investments.
2. Aligning Research and Innovation Policies
• Addressing the fragmentation of national and EU research strategies.
• Reforming European Partnerships to improve coherence and transparency.
3. Enhancing Conditions for Research and Researchers
• Protecting core values such as academic freedom, gender equality, and inclusion.
• Facilitating the free flow of knowledge and talent, tackling precarious employment, and advancing open science.
• Developing EU-wide guidance on responsible AI use in research.
• Strengthening research security and ensuring consistent standards amid global geopolitical shifts.

Next Steps

The consultation is open until 23 January 2026. Following its closure, the European Commission will publish a summary report and use the feedback to inform the impact assessment of the ERA Act proposal.

Stakeholders are encouraged to submit their feedback and position papers via the European Commission’s “Have Your Say” portal:

Participate in the consultation on the European Research Area (ERA) Act.