The European Commission has unveiled a new strategy to strengthen research and technology infrastructures across Europe, aimed at boosting the continent’s leadership in scientific excellence and technological innovation. Recognizing the need to stay competitive in the global race for research and innovation, the strategy focuses on making infrastructures more integrated, accessible, and impactful for a wider range of users. It also seeks to attract world-class researchers and innovators to “Choose Europe” as a hub for scientific and technological advancement.
Europe’s top laboratories, pilot production lines, particle accelerators, clean rooms, and other advanced facilities are central to its innovation ecosystem. These infrastructures drive progress from fundamental research to market-ready innovations, playing a key role in supporting industrial competitiveness and ensuring technological sovereignty. By strengthening this backbone, the Commission aims to reinforce Europe’s position at the forefront of global science and innovation.
The strategy outlines actions in five priority areas. First, it seeks to strengthen the ecosystem by increasing capacities, mobilizing investments, and ensuring facilities meet user needs, while also harnessing digitalization and artificial intelligence. Second, it focuses on simplifying access for researchers, startups, and companies, enabling breakthroughs and faster uptake of market-ready technologies. Third, it emphasizes talent development, creating career pathways for technicians, scientists, and leaders, while also attracting expertise from outside Europe.
In addition, the Commission plans to improve governance frameworks to ensure better alignment of investments, priorities, and funding across member states, thereby enabling sustainable long-term planning. Finally, the strategy addresses international cooperation and resilience by working with strategic partners, integrating associated countries into the European Research Area, and mitigating risks linked to critical data and technologies. These efforts will safeguard Europe’s sovereignty in key sectors while strengthening its role as a global leader in science and innovation.
