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Promotion of the freedom of scientific research in the EU

TA-9-2024-0022 · P9_TA(2024)0022 · PE751.835

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✦ In short · AI summary of this text, generated 26 Sept 2026

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Parliament's resolution asks the Commission to propose a legally binding act on the freedom of scientific research, based on Article 182(5) and Article 179(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. It reaffirms that freedom of scientific research is a fundamental right and public good, and warns that it is under pressure and eroding in the Union. It calls on the Commission and member states to protect and promote this freedom, to respect institutional autonomy, and to ensure that public-interest measures do not unduly restrict it. It defends researchers' labour rights, stable contracts and social protection, and highlights the precarious situation of early-career researchers. It insists the Union should be a safe haven for researchers at risk and set up a European Fellowship Scheme for Researchers at Risk. The annex sets out recommendations for the content of the requested act, defining the freedom of scientific research, the rights of individual researchers, the rights and obligations of research organisations, and governmental obligations.

Key points

  1. Reaffirms the Union's commitment to fundamental rights, including academic freedom and the freedom of scientific research in all scientific disciplines and the arts.
  2. Acknowledges that freedom of scientific research advances knowledge and innovation, is a universal right and public good, and regrets that the Bonn Declaration lacks concrete implementation at European level.
  3. Defends the labour rights of scientific researchers, stable job contracts and access to comprehensive social protection systems, and calls for quality jobs and decent working conditions.
  4. Highlights that equal opportunities, in particular gender equality, are essential for promoting the freedom of scientific research.
  5. Emphasises the precarious situation of early-career researchers and calls for clearer career opportunities, transparent recruitment and social security coverage, including for doctoral candidates.
  6. Stresses the importance of academic self-governance, including researchers' right to have a say on the governance and labour conditions of their institution.
  7. Believes research organisations should be encouraged to engage in international cooperation and science diplomacy addressing the freedom of scientific research.
  8. Insists the Union should be a safe haven for researchers at risk and set up a European Fellowship Scheme for Researchers at Risk providing financial support for emergency placements.
  9. Believes freedom of scientific research must come with responsibility to respect ethical standards and integrity, and supports transparent communication on sources of funding.
  10. Calls for open knowledge, protection of non-commercial sharing of research results under Union law, and open-access publication of publicly funded results.
  11. Urges the Commission to use its legal authority to protect and promote the freedom of scientific research, and calls on member states to respect it and ensure public-interest measures do not unduly restrict it.
  12. Requests the Commission to submit a proposal for an act on the freedom of scientific research, following the recommendations in the annex, to guarantee, protect and promote this freedom.

Who is affected

  • Scientific researchers: the resolution defends their labour rights, career opportunities and freedom from reprisal.
  • Scientific research organisations: they should enjoy institutional autonomy and provide transparent career procedures and researcher involvement in decision-making.
  • Member states: they should respect, protect, promote and ensure the freedom of scientific research.
  • The Commission: it is urged to use its legal authority to protect this freedom and to submit a proposal for an act.
  • Researchers at risk: the Union should set up a European Fellowship Scheme for their emergency placements.

Figures and deadlines

  • 0,85: score above which all member states were on the Academic Freedom Index in 2008.
  • 0,34: lowest score for 2022 on the Academic Freedom Index.

Legal basis: Article 182(5), in conjunction with Article 179(1), of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.