In its position paper, The Guild highlights six priority areas that the ERA Act must address:
Securing world-leading investment in Europe’s future
The Guild calls for legally binding spending targets to empower Europe to strengthen its scientific leadership, boost its industrial competitiveness, and consolidate its resilience. Member States should commit to investing at least 3% of GDP spending in R&D, with public investment accounting for a minimum of 1.25% of GDP.
Coordinating R&I policy across Europe
Member States should develop national R&I roadmaps to foster coordination and reduce fragmentation. Progress on the roadmaps should be monitored through the European Semester.
Safeguarding the freedom of scientific research
The Guild urges the EU to codify the Bonn Declaration’s definition of the freedom of scientific research into EU law and establish a European Ombudsperson to monitor breaches to the freedom of scientific research to admonish corrective action where breaches have occurred.
Ensuring the seamless mobility of researchers
To realise the fifth freedom of movement for knowledge, research and researchers, The Guild supports the creation of an EU-level contract template that addresses specific blockages that arise from different employment conditions. This will be critical to strengthen the attractiveness of research careers across Europe and foster the excellence of European research.
Mainstreaming open science
The Guild calls for a European Secondary Publishing Rights framework to improve access to scientific outputs and enhance cross-border circulation of knowledge.
Framing a common approach to research security
Minimum EU-level standards should promote responsible internationalisation while safeguarding the freedom of scientific research. This is critical to foster a level playing field for internationalisation across Europe, and to support institutions to manage risks effectively.
The world won’t wait for Europe. If we want to maximise the advantages of our diversity we must ensure seamless connections between our national systems. To overcome the inefficiencies that have resulted from the concrete barriers that continue to exist for people, policies and ideas, our national governments and research performing organisations must achieve an effective legal framework to ensure seamless mobility that will attract the world’s leading researchers to the European Research Area.
Secretary-General Jan Palmowski