News

Published Feb. 27, 2024 4:15 PM

Our February newsletter is here!


Featuring our latest statements on The Guild's recommendations for the funding of European Universities alliances, Europe's research security policy and a joint open letter to the European Commission in which we urge the Commission to prioritise research and education in its ex-ante impact assessment process. See also our upcoming events on 28 February and 14 March.

Published Feb. 12, 2024 1:45 PM

The European Universities initiative has put universities into the policy spotlight with a promise of linking education, research, and innovation across national boundaries. In the past year the discussion has focused on ensuring the transformative nature of alliances with appropriate funding (‘Investment Pathway’). The Guild members recognise the need to provide comprehensive support to alliances. More long-term funding coupled with greater flexibility is needed. However, European funding alone will never be enough. The sustainability of the initiative will require concerted efforts of national governments and institutional commitments.

Published Feb. 6, 2024 1:48 PM

The European Commission’s recently announced package of new initiatives to strengthen economic security is highly relevant for the research and innovation sector and The Guild is committed to co-developing enhanced systems of research security with Member States and EU-level policymakers. We are dedicated to providing them with recommendations for navigating these initiatives while safeguarding international collaboration as a core feature of our research and innovation system which is indispensable for building resilience in the face of global challenges.

Published Jan. 16, 2024 10:02 AM

We entered the new year with The Guild’s Vice-Presidents meeting in Brussels on 10-11 January to discuss Europe’s policy priorities for research and innovation. On the agenda were timely discussions on the European Research Area, FP10 and the European Universities alliances.

Published Dec. 15, 2023 10:40 AM

Our December issue features our recent publications. We published two statements: one focusing on responsible internationalisation, and the second one with our comments about the Council's Recommendation on research careers. This issue also contains a news article about Université PSL joining The Guild and highlights from our Gender and Diversity Working Group.

Furthermore, The Guild published a position paper on Erasmus+ as a contribution to its interim evaluation.

Published Dec. 11, 2023 10:56 AM

In its contribution to the Erasmus+ interim evaluation, The Guild member universities highlight the growing importance of the programme in times of increased polarisation. Ambitious mobility targets and inclusion rates, coupled with the calls for pedagogical innovation, will require an increased investment in Erasmus+. The paper provides insights into how the programme could be further developed based on the lessons learned and by identifying areas where additional efforts could create a distinctive impact.

Published Dec. 4, 2023 3:01 PM

In a dynamic two-day session, The Guild Gender and Diversity Working Group met in Brussels to address pressing issues, exchange insights, and forge a path toward a more inclusive future in the research and innovation landscape. The meeting, held at The Guild office in Brussels, was pivotal in promoting collaboration and sharing best practices among our member universities.

Published Nov. 9, 2023 10:57 AM

Leading research-intensive universities in Europe underscore the importance of responsible international collaboration in the free pursuit of knowledge. While research excellence thrives on open collaboration, concern is rising about security, reciprocity, and potential dual-use applications. The Guild acknowledges these concerns, nevertheless we stress that measures to mitigate risks must not thwart our ambitions to address pressing global challenges. Any risks of international collaboration must be balanced with the risks of non-collaboration. We advocate for an approach that enhances trust, understanding and collaboration between researchers, universities, and public authorities.

Published Nov. 2, 2023 11:59 AM

Representing a large part of the university sector, and as active participants in the ERA Forum, especially in the context of the European Research Area (ERA) Action 4 on Research Careers, we jointly welcome the European Commission proposal for a Council Recommendation on a European framework to attract and retain talents in Europe. Here we provide the Commission with comments for further improvement.

Published Oct. 11, 2023 3:09 PM

Our October issue includes highlights from the recently launched Africa-Europe Clusters of Research Excellence:

-  The Africa-Europe CoRE website section on The Guild website

- Two news articles about the launch of the Clusters

- The Call for Action ''Universities and research organisations across Africa and Europe call for a new framework for cooperation''

- Four videos featuring high-level members from ARUA and The Guild during their Brussels summit in June 2023

- Relevant articles from the media mentioning the Africa-Europe CoREs

Published Sep. 25, 2023 10:57 AM

The African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) and The Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities (The Guild) have launched three new Africa-Europe Clusters of Research Excellence (CoRE). This is a direct response to the formal launch of the AU-EU Innovation Agenda, which acknowledged the importance of research and education – including in the social sciences and humanities – for achieving the EU’s Global Gateway strategy and the AU’s Agenda 2063. The three new Clusters join the Africa-Europe CoREs launched by both networks last June, bringing the total number of Clusters up to 20, now involving over 250 researchers in 60 Universities as well as research institutes.

Published Sep. 14, 2023 10:59 AM

From 6-7 September, Babeș-Bolyai University (UBB) hosted The Guild’s Vice-Presidents for the first time since joining the network. The meeting’s agenda included discussions on capacity building opportunities in FP10, Romania’s national R&I strategy, the launch of the Africa-Europe clusters of research excellence and the European Universities initiative.

Published Sep. 13, 2023 2:03 PM

The Guild praises the European Parliament’s vote on 12 September 2023 to appoint Iliana Ivanova as Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth. It is of crucial importance that the position previously held by Mariya Gabriel is now taken over by a dedicated Commissioner who will demonstrate political ownership and leadership in EU policies in research, innovation, and education.

Published Sep. 7, 2023 1:02 PM

After nearly three years of delay, the Government of the United Kingdom and the European Commission today announced an agreement in principle for the UK’s full association to Horizon Europe. We are thrilled to see Prime Minister Rishi Sunak setting out the encouraging benefits of this agreement at The University of Warwick, one of three universities based in the UK that are part of The Guild’s membership of 21 distinguished universities from across sixteen countries in Europe.

Published July 17, 2023 10:26 AM

In the past year, The Guild achieved remarkable progress and achievements in advocating for a sustainable and ambitious R&I and higher education landscape in Europe and beyond. The Guild's Annual Report for 2022-2023 stresses our major contributions to European programmes, such as Horizon Europe and Erasmus+. It offers broader reflections on the European Education Area as well as the European Research Area. Additionally, The Guild's commitment to equitable global partnerships is showcased including its unique collaboration with the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) and the creation of Clusters of Research Excellence.

Published July 5, 2023 10:25 AM

Our July issue includes:

-  The Guild's upcoming launch event ''The Twin Transition Century''

- Our latest Insight Paper ''Transnational collaboration and mobility in higher education''

- Our joint statement with LERU and CE7 with our key messages for FP10

-  A joint reaction to the European Innovation Council Board’s statement on intellectual property

- A news article about the launch of Africa-Europe Clusters of Research Excellence

- A joint Call for Action about AU-EU research collaboration

- An interview with Ole Petter Ottersen, the next Acting Secretary-General at The Guild