The simplification of EU funding management has attracted considerable attention during preparation of Horizon Europe - the future EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. This is because it has the potential to increase the added value and improve the efficiency and impact of EU funds.

Simplification of EU funding management has attracted considerable attention during preparations for Horizon Europe - the future EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. Despite the progress achieved in the Horizon 2020 Rules for Participation, there is still a lot to do to accomplish impactful simplification for the next generation of EU funding programmes.

On 4 September 2018, eleven national research funding organisations in Europe jointly published the so-called “Plan S”. Its aim is to accelerate the transition towards Open Access to research publications.

The EU hopes to conclude a series of trade deals in the near future. Its new agreement with Japan follows hard on the heels of its deal with Canada (CETA), which is now being provisionally implemented.

The European University Association (EUA) welcomes the European Commission Joint Research Centre’s report on “A Regional Innovation Impact: Assessment Framework for universities”. The report opens the debate on the impact that universities can have on regional innovation. It also recognises the importance of assessment frameworks and shows the strategic role of universities in their innovation ecosystems.

2017 has been the busiest year yet for EUA, given the broad range of policies we have advocated for at the EU level, and our growing outreach through a variety of membership activities.

What will happen to university collaboration in Europe after Brexit? With Europe’s research and mobility heavyweight leaving the European Union, many are understandably worried about what will happen in the future.

At its meeting on 12 June 2018, the Board of the European University Association (EUA) welcomed the new political momentum of the Bologna Process resulting from the Ministerial Conference in Paris (23-25 May) and the adoption of the Paris Communiqué. 

EUA has published a Roadmap on Research Assessment in the Transition to Open Science. The main objective is to raise awareness and support the EUA membership with the development of research assessment approaches that focus on research quality, potential and future impact, and that take into account Open Science practices.

EUA and more than a dozen other university associations have united to issue a common response to the European Commission’s proposal for Horizon Europe. The 14 signatory associations discussed the Commission’s proposal and outlined the most crucial elements that need to be ironed out in the negotiating process.