League of European Research Universities (LERU)

⚠️ Europe’s competitiveness starts with knowledge ⚠️ ➡️ As Ministers meet today at the Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council, one message should remain clear : Europe’s competitiveness will depend not only on its capacity to develop technologies, but also on its ability to create, absorb and exploit knowledge and innovation across borders and sectors. ➡️ This is why the European Commission’s proposal for the European Competitiveness Fund (ECF) rightly recognises the importance of investing in skills, seamless talent flows, and stronger connections between research, innovation and education - including through initiatives such as the European Universities Alliances. ➡️ It is therefore disappointing that in the recently published EP ITRE draft report by MEPs Dan Nica and Christian Ehler on the European Competitiveness Fund regulation, Article 30 on “Support for skills development” has been deleted, while Recital 21 has been significantly reduced and no longer mentions European Universities Alliances. ➡️ At a time when skills shortages are a binding constraint on Europe’s competitiveness and industrial transformation, this risks weakening the education–research–innovation link at precisely the moment it is most needed. Skills, education and talent development are not secondary policy areas : they are core infrastructure for Europe’s competitiveness. ➡️ Within this broader context, initiatives such as the European Universities Alliances illustrate how cross-border cooperation can help connect education, research and innovation ecosystems and strengthen Europe’s knowledge base. As highlighted in LERU’s 2024 advice paper "Maximizing the impact of European Universities alliances" (https://lnkd.in/eiTf3Gzx), they are already contributing to more integrated collaboration and talent development across Europe. ➡️ If Europe is serious about competitiveness and strategic autonomy, skills, education and talent, must remain fully embedded in the ECF architecture. Reason why LERU today asks the European Parliament explicitly for the reintroduction (and even reinforcement) of the deleted dispositions. Hopefully the EU's education ministers will send a similar signal. League of European Research Universities (LERU) Linda Doyle Peter-Paul Verbeek Michael Schaepman Peter Mathieson Sari Lindblom Erik Renström David Dreyer Lassen Wilco Hazeleger Sarah de Rijcke Severine Vermeire Nathalie DRACH-TEMAM Frédérique Berrod Présidente Camille GALAP Joan Guàrdia Olmos Marina Brambilla Matthias H. Tschöp Kerstin Krieglstein Frauke Melchior Joël Mesot Audrey Leuba Michael Spence Hugh Brady Elena Del Giorgio Meritxell Chaves Sánchez Sophia Karner Emily Palmer Doris Alexander Luc Sels Raul Ramos Univ.-Prof. Dr. Beatrix Busse Olga Wessels Prof. Dr. Ludovic THILLY Emmanuelle Gardan Silvia Gómez Recio Francesca Bucci Bart Valkenaers Claire Gray Katrien Maes

League of European Research Universities (LERU) Linda Doyle Peter Mathieson Sari Lindblom Peter-Paul Verbeek Michael Schaepman Erik Renström David Dreyer Lassen Wilco Hazeleger Sarah de Rijcke Severine Vermeire Nathalie DRACH-TEMAM Frédérique Berrod Présidente Camille GALAP Joan Guàrdia Olmos Marina Brambilla Matthias H. Tschöp Frauke Melchior Kerstin Krieglstein Joël Mesot Audrey Leuba Michael Spence Hugh Brady Francesca Bucci Katrien Maes Bart Valkenaers Claire Gray Esther Driessens Luc Sels Maria Cristina Russo Christian Ehler Ekaterina Zaharieva Tom Vandenkendelaere Kurt Vandenberghe Hilde Hardeman Koen DOENS Gaetan Poelman Sarina Motmans Jos Delbeke Robert-Jan Smits

Earlier this evening I had a great chat with Prof Tomás Ryan of Trinity College Dublin. Tomás combines two increasingly influential roles in European science : leading neuroscientist and prominent Irish advocate for EU research and innovation policy. Internationally recognised for his pioneering work on memory engrams and the biological basis of memory, Tomás trained at Cambridge, the Wellcome Sanger Institute and MIT before returning (thanks to an European Research Council (ERC) grant !) to Ireland to lead cutting-edge neuroscience research at Trinity. Alongside his scientific career, he has become one of Ireland’s most visible and outspoken voices on European R&I policy. Through public interventions, media commentary, policy engagement and European neuroscience networks, he actively advocates stronger EU investment in frontier science, brain research and scientific talent. Tomás regularly argues that Europe risks losing competitiveness and researchers if it underinvests in excellent research, making him an increasingly influential Irish science-policy advocate in EU circles. Great to catch up Tomás, many thanks for your time and energy 👍 ! League of European Research Universities (LERU) Federation of European Neuroscience Societies - FENS Thomas G. McWilliams, PhD Linda Doyle

Very glad to see Paula Eerola, President of the Research Council of Finland, being part of the fantastic high-level committee to identify new members for the European Research Council's (ERC) governing body, the ERC Scientific Council. https://lnkd.in/eZjW7vVf League of European Research Universities (LERU) University of Helsinki Sari Lindblom Anne Portaankorva European Research Council (ERC)

It was a great pleasure this afternoon at Trinity College Dublin to discuss the state of play of the 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), Framework Programme 10 (FP10) and the future European Competitiveness Fund (ECF) with William Beausang, Assistant Secretary at the Irish Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. When Ireland takes over the Presidency of the Council of the EU from Cyprus in July 2026, we hope — perhaps somewhat optimistically 😁 — that the 27 EU research ministers will already have reached a Partial General Agreement (PGA) on FP10. If not, and if only a(nother) progress report is available by then, Ireland’s first major task will be to secure such a PGA, hopefully no later than September/October 2026. By that time, the European Parliament should normally also have adopted its own FP10 position. Only then can the trilogues between Council, Parliament and Commission finally begin, with the aim of reaching a final agreement — perhaps by the end of 2026, but more realistically in early 2027, already under the Lithuanian EU Presidency. The only possible conclusion is therefore that considerable uncertainty still remains regarding the FP10 timeline 😁. And that is without even mentioning the timing complexities surrounding the MFF and the ECF 😁. In any event, these will remain busy — and fascinating — times for European research and innovation policy! Busy and fascinating … but also as I said today in https://lnkd.in/ezKqF3T8 : the gap between the institutions seems to be getting broader and deeper while the timeline for a deal is getting shorter and shorter … no pressure however 😉 ! League of European Research Universities (LERU)

Congratulations to EARMA on the launch of the EARMA Academy! https://lnkd.in/evDWbsFR The Academy offers a range of training resources and certification opportunities aimed at supporting the professional development of research managers. We invite you to explore these resources and consider how they can contribute to your ongoing development. #EARMAAcademy #OnlineHub #CertificationPlatform #ResearchManagement #EAC26

In the view of Kurt Deketelaere, “the gap between the different institutions is growing wider and deeper, while the time available to find a compromise between them is becoming shorter and shorter”. He thinks the autumn and winter will bring “numerous and difficult” attempts to resolve the issues, and that this might not be achieved until next year. League of European Research Universities (LERU)

Early start today, heading to Trinity College Dublin (TCD), homebase of League of European Research Universities (LERU) chair Linda Doyle ! Hosted by TCD’s VP for Global Engagement Dr. Emma Stokes, the LERU vice-rectors “International” will reflect on recent and upcoming international R&I&E developments. With the start of the Irish Presidency of the EU at the horizon, this is the first of several visits to Ireland and Dublin in the next six months 😅 ! First exchanges already this afternoon on MFF, FP10, ECF and ERA Act. Very much looking forward ! Shane Collins Doris Alexander