Cool reception for EU R&D agreements

Leading research figures concerned EU policy agenda leaves too much in hands of member states

Research groups have given a lukewarm reception to two agreements on R&D policies adopted by EU member states, and raised concerns that nations have been left in the driving seat for delivering on key targets such as increasing investment.

At a 26 November meeting (pictured), EU research ministers adopted an agenda for the governance and priorities of the European Research Area, an EU-led policy package. All except Hungary also agreed that member states should apply the values and principles set out in a Pact for Research and Innovation. These include academic freedom and raising EU R&D spending to 3 per cent of GDP.