What changed

B100156/2026

P10_TA(2026)0068

European Parliament resolution on the upcomingUpcoming European Research Area (ERA) Act

(2025/2951(RSP))

PE784.264

European Parliament resolution of 10 March 2026 on the upcoming European Research Area (ERA) Act (2025/2951(RSP))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to the Commission Recommendation of 11 March 2005 on the European Charter for Researchers and on a Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers,

– having regard to the questions to the Council and to the Commission on the upcoming European Research Area (ERA) Act (O-000007/2026 – B10-0000/2026B10-0006/2026 and O-000008/2026 – B10 0000/2026),B10-0007/2026),

– having regard to Rules 142(5) and 136(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

6. Calls for provisions to strengthen private participation in the EU R&I ecosystem through closer coordination and public-private partnerships, to address persistent investment gaps and market fragmentation and to complete the capital market union to accelerate knowledge valorisation, reinforce technological sovereignty and support regional innovation ecosystems;

7. Calls on Member States to undertake reforms to remove barriers to the free circulation of researchers and knowledge, and to enhance cross-border collaboration and innovation, with a view to making Europe an inclusive and attractive global research community;

7. Calls for increased support for public research by strengthening funding for European programmes such as Horizon Europe; encourages Member States to increase financial resources for universities and public research organisations;

8. Recommends that the ERA Act use planning, measurable metrics and monitoring, reporting and evaluation tools, and that it strive to ensure a balance between research fields and basic and applied research;

8. Calls on Member States to undertake reforms to remove barriers to the free circulation of researchers and knowledge, and to enhance cross-border collaboration and innovation, with a view to making Europe an inclusive and attractive global research community;

9. Calls for strengthened governance of the ERA, and for existing policy and monitoring instruments to be rationalised;

9. Recommends that the ERA Act use planning, measurable metrics and monitoring, reporting and evaluation tools, and that it strive to ensure a balance between research fields and basic and applied research;

10. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to enhance coordination between national and EU R&I initiatives in line with overarching ERA priorities, ensuring synergies across national and Union funding instruments and policies to strengthen Europe’s global scientific and technological leadership;

10. Calls for strengthened governance of the ERA, and for existing policy and monitoring instruments to be rationalised;

11. Calls for stronger and more inclusive European innovation and technology ecosystems to promote cooperation between universities, research institutions, start-ups, SMEs and industry to ensure effective and secure knowledge transfer and better uptake of results by European companies, and to promote up- and re-skilling, and lifelong learning; stresses the need to address the R&I disparities among Member States, particularly those with lower R&I performance, to improve their participation in Union programmes;

11. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to enhance coordination between national and EU R&I initiatives in line with overarching ERA priorities, ensuring synergies across national and Union funding instruments and policies to strengthen Europe’s global scientific and technological leadership;

12. Stresses that a functioning ERA requires the free circulation of researchers and knowledge, and cross-border collaboration; calls for concrete measures to facilitate and simplify researchers’ career paths, especially young and early-career researchers, improve mobility, mutual recognition of qualifications, and facilitated visa procedures; reiterates its support for a European Charter for Researchers; notes that remote and hybrid work create opportunities for researchers to work in other Member States without relocating;

12. Calls for stronger and more inclusive European innovation and technology ecosystems to promote cooperation between universities, research institutions, start-ups, SMEs and industry to ensure effective and secure knowledge transfer and better uptake of results by European companies, and to promote up- and re-skilling, and lifelong learning; stresses the need to address the R&I disparities among Member States, particularly those with lower R&I performance, to improve their participation in Union programmes;

13. Urges the Commission and Member States to advance gender equality and equal opportunities in R&I, especially in under-represented sectors, while decreasing the gender pay gap;

13. Stresses that a functioning ERA requires the free circulation of researchers and knowledge, and cross-border collaboration; calls for concrete measures to facilitate and simplify researchers’ career paths, especially young and early-career researchers, improve mobility, mutual recognition of qualifications, and facilitated visa procedures; reiterates its support for a European Charter for Researchers; notes that remote and hybrid work create opportunities for researchers to work in other Member States without relocating;

14. Stresses the need to ensure the open and secure circulation of knowledge, improved accessibility of research infrastructure, knowledge valorisation and the ethical, trustworthy use of emerging technologies, including AI, in line with EU values and fundamental rights; underlines the importance of research security, integrity and effective dissemination of publicly funded research, including in libraries, while ensuring protection of intellectual property rights;

14. Urges the Commission and Member States to advance gender equality and equal opportunities in R&I, especially in under-represented sectors, while decreasing the gender pay gap;

15. Recommends that the ERA Act be aligned with existing and future initiatives, such as the Innovation Act, the Pact for R&I, the Framework Programme and the European Education Area, to ensure mutually reinforcing reforms, innovation uptake, talent mobility and funding;

15. Stresses the need to ensure the open and secure circulation of knowledge, improved accessibility of research infrastructure, knowledge valorisation and the ethical, trustworthy use of emerging technologies, including AI, in line with EU values and fundamental rights; underlines the importance of research security, integrity and effective dissemination of publicly funded research, including in libraries, while ensuring protection of intellectual property rights;

16. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission and the Council.

16. Recommends that the ERA Act be aligned with existing and future initiatives, such as the Innovation Act, the Pact for R&I, the Framework Programme and the European Education Area, to ensure mutually reinforcing reforms, innovation uptake, talent mobility and funding;

17. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission and the Council.