Everest Group explores the European Research and Innovation Strategy Report for 2024-2029
The European Union (EU) recognizes research and innovation (R&I) as fundamental for advancing economic prosperity, industrial competitiveness, and societal well-being. The Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (DG RTD) is leading the formulation and execution of the European Commission’s R&I policies to align with its strategic objectives for 2024-2029.
Under the guidance of Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation Ekaterina Zaharieva, the EU seeks to position R&I at the forefront of its economic framework, promoting investment, enhancing research infrastructure, and accelerating green and digital transformations.
This brief report analyzes DG RTD’s strategic priorities, initiatives, investments, and strategies for shaping Europe’s future.
The Directorate-General for Research and Innovation priorities and plans
The DG RTD aligns its efforts with the European Commission’s seven strategic priorities for 2024-2029, as articulated in President Ursula von der Leyen’s Political Guidelines (European Commission, 2024). Among the most noticeable ones, “A new plan for Europe’s sustainable prosperity and competitiveness” deserves special mention. It highlights the development of a circular, resilient economy and leadership in digital technology innovation.
On achieving these goals, DG RTD manages Horizon Europe, the EU’s flagship R&I funding program for 2021-2027, which already allocates resources to projects advancing green and digital transformations. Specific clusters and missions focus on climate change mitigation, sustainable energy solutions, and digital technology development. Similarly, through targeted funding, the DG RTD supports research in renewable energy, sustainable transport, and advanced digital technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity, contributing to the EU’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
DG RTD also proposes a European Research Area (ERA) Act to facilitate the free movement of researchers, scientific knowledge, and technology across the EU, fostering collaboration and reducing fragmentation. In agreement, a long-term strategy is being developed to provide researchers access to state-of-the-art facilities, including innovative laboratories and public-private partnerships.
Aware of the advances in digital transformation technologies across the region, the DG RTD is committed to increasing AI adoption among European scientists and establishing a European AI Research Council to coordinate AI research efforts.
Commissioner Zaharieva’s priorities
Commissioner Zaharieva is committed to positioning R&I as the cornerstone of the EU economy by promoting increasing investment in startups, fostering regional and international collaborations, and creating an environment conducive to effective research success.
Zaharieva plans to expand the European Innovation Council (EIC) and the European Research Council (ERC), which support high-risk, high-reward projects, as well as propose a ERA Act to enhance researchers’ mobility and a European Innovation Act to streamline regulations and improve access to internal and external venture capital. Furthermore, a new EU strategy for startups and scale-ups, including a network of Trusted Investors, is also considered to facilitate access to capital for innovative enterprises.
Regarding the innovation agenda per se, Zaharieva proposes an Advanced Materials Act and a Strategy for European Life Sciences in 2025 to advance high-value technologies. In parallel, by establishing a European AI Research Council, Zaharieva seeks to position the EU as a global leader in AI-driven innovation.
These initiatives align with several experts’ recommendations, including “The Future of European Competitiveness” (Draghi, 2024), emphasizing the need to close the innovation gap with global competitors. The World Economic Forum (2025), indeed, also highlights the need for Europe to prioritize disruptive research and development to close the innovation gap with global competitors, emphasizing the urgency of increased investment (WEF Report).
Role of R&I investments in economic competitiveness
Zaharieva’s strategy for European research infrastructure focuses on ensuring sustainable, world-class facilities to support scientific excellence. This is done by investing in modern facilities such as laboratories and data centers, leveraging public-private partnerships to enhance efficiency and impact, and coordinating infrastructure development across Member States to avoid duplication. This strategy strengthens the EU’s ambition to lead scientific innovation, providing researchers with the tools to address complex challenges.
Aligned with this strategy, the proposed European Innovation Act aims to streamline regulatory frameworks and enhance access to venture capital, fostering a dynamic innovation ecosystem, contributing to simplifying bureaucratic processes for startups to accelerate market entry, facilitating connections through the Trusted Investors network to boost funding opportunities, and providing tailored support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to scale innovations.
Furthermore, investments in R&I are critical for shaping the EU’s future economy, industry, and competitiveness. They drive technological advancements, create high-value jobs, and enable solutions to pressing societal challenges. The European Commission (2024) emphasizes that R&I is essential for maintaining global competitiveness and preserving the EU’s social model.
This transformational model considers economic growth, with R&I contributing to the gross domestic product (GDP) growth by fostering new industries and enhancing productivity and industrial competitiveness by supporting key technologies, strengthening the EU’s industrial base, particularly in high-wage economies. Regarding societal advancement, R&I addresses global challenges, such as climate change and healthcare, to improve the quality of life.
The EU leverages science diplomacy to foster international partnerships, as detailed in the recommendations by Gjedssø Bertelsen et al. (2025) (Science Diplomacy Report). Additionally, the strategy aligns with efforts to strengthen the European Health Union, focusing on health security and system resilience, as explored by Martini (2024). These initiatives ensure the EU remains a global life sciences market leader.
The EU’s R&I strategy for 2024-2029: Final thoughts
The EU’s R&I strategy for 2024-2029 establishes R&I as a cornerstone of economic and societal progress. Through targeted funding, legislative reforms, and strategic binitiatives, the EU aims to drive green and digital transformations, enhance research infrastructure, and foster innovation in critical sectors, such as life sciences and AI. Increased investment across the R&I continuum is essential for maintaining economic competitiveness and addressing global challenges, ensuring the EU’s position as a global leader in innovation.
References
- Draghi, M. (2024). The future of European Competitiveness: In-depth analysis and recommendations. European Commission.
- European Commission. (2024). Priorities 2024-2029. https://commission.europa.eu/priorities-2024-2029_en
- Gjedssø Bertelsen, R., Bochereau, L., Chelioti, E., Dávid, Á., Gailiūtė-Janušonė, D., Hartl, M., Liberatore, A., Mauduit, J.-C., Müller, J. M., & Van Langenhove, L. (Eds.). (2025). A European framework for science diplomacy: Recommendations of the EU Science Diplomacy Working Groups. Publications Office of the European Union.
- Martini, J. (2024). From health security to the strengthening of health systems: What’s the future of the European Health Union? In Social policy in the European Union: State of play 2024 (p. 99).
- World Economic Forum. (2025). Europe’s need for research and innovation.
https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/01/europe-prioritize-researchinnovation-competitive/
