2022
The Guild universities raise concerns about the implementation of the first year of the new Erasmus+ programme
Statement on the new Erasmus+ programme | 25 January 2022
At the start of the new Erasmus+ programme (2021-2027), universities are struggling to meet the mobility expectations of their students. Although the programme promised to be more inclusive and accessible, the actual level of funding universities received in 2021 for Key Action 1 remained at the level of 2018 funding.
The Guild's response to the European strategy for universities
Statement on European strategy for universities | 20 January 2022
The Guild welcomes the Strategy as a framework which recognizes the rich potential and contribution of Europe’s universities to our society through research, education and innovation. Although there is much to welcome, there is a genuine question whether the strategy is visionary enough.
The Guild universities share their experience in applying for Horizon Europe grants
Survey on Horizon Europe Application Process | 13 January 2022
The application process for Horizon Europe calls requires further clarity while a more stable and user-friendly submission platform is needed, researchers and research support officers from The Guild universities highlight.
More time and perspectives needed to fully evaluate the Lump Sum Pilot
Statement on Lump Sum Pilot | 7 January 2022
The Guild calls for university grant and financial managers to be included in any further evaluations of Horizon lump sum funding.
2021
ARUA and The Guild call for the AU and EU to act as levers for widespread and coordinated support for the African knowledge society
ARUA - The Guild joint statement | 17 December 2021
The African Research Universities Alliance and The Guild emphasise the critical importance of strengthening African research universities in a wholistic way, calling to action the AU and EU, national governments, public science bodies, and universities and their communities themselves.
The Guild sets recommendations for the AI Act
Statement on AI Act | 14 December 2021
The Guild voices its concerns on the burdens the European Commission’s proposal for an Artificial Intelligence Act may impose on research and researchers and calls for the Commission to involve researchers in the future monitoring and amendment processes of the Act.
European Research Area must focus on strengthening research excellence across Europe as a whole
Statement on Widening participation | 25 November 2021
The Guild calls for the new European Research Area to develop and implement a holistic vision to strengthen and deepen excellence in less R&I performing (Widening) countries.
The UK's association to Horizon Europe must be finalised now
Joint statement on the UK's association to Horizon Europe | 4 November 2021
The European Union’s research and innovation community calls for the European Commission and President Ursula von der Leyen to finalise the United Kingdom’s association to Horizon Europe immediately.
Proposals of The Guild for the EU Guiding Principles for Knowledge Valorisation
Statement on Knowledge Valorisation | 22 October 2021
The Guild calls for dedicated funding streams for knowledge transfer activities, and capacity-building measures to enhance the capacities of researchers and technology transfer offices to innovate.
The Guild calls for strengthening of Academic Freedom
Statement on Academic Freedom | 17 June 2021
As a core principle of the EU, academic freedom must be protected vigorously and decisively by the Commission and all EU institutions. The Guild urges for the creation of a European Ombudsperson for the defence and support of academic freedom.
Which way forward for the European University alliances?
Statement on European Universities | 25 May 2021
Collaboration within the European Universities initiative needs to grow bottom-up, based on the alliances’ distinctive strategies. Innovation and originality can flourish only by developing new practices in universities and overcoming national obstacles.
The EU’s emerging Pact for Research and Innovation should meet the expectations of the research sector
Statement on European Research Area | 27 April 2021
The Guild considers it critical that the Pact for Research and Innovation will prominently address the key question that ERA was founded on: how to strengthen Europe’s research capacity.
European networks call for full access to Horizon Europe for associated countries
Joint statement on Horizon Europe | 23 April 2021
The Guild joins other groups of research-intensive universities in Europe in voicing its concern regarding proposals to restrict the UK’s, Switzerland’s and potentially other countries’ access to parts of Horizon Europe.
2020
Europe must be empowered to address its key challenges through additional investments for fundamental research
Statement on Horizon Europe's budget | 9 December 2020
The Guild calls for an urgent funding boost to the Excellence Science Pillar of Horizon Europe in order to achieve a balanced resourcing of the three pillars of the programme.
Research activities of universities must continue to be supported by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
Statement on European Regional Development Funds | 30 October 2020
The Guild voices its concern that ending ERDF support to universities’ research capacities undermines the goal of reducing the research and innovation divide in Europe.
The Guild welcomes the potential of the European Research and Education Areas to boost the excellence of the European higher education sector
Statement on the European Research and Education Areas | 1 October 2020
The Guild considers that the visions for the European Research and Education Areas published by the European Commission represent an important opening for a dialogue on common priorities and their implementation.
The Guild calls on EU institutions to increase investments in fundamental research in Horizon Europe
Statement on Horizon Europe's budget | 11 September 2020
The Guild welcomes the appointment of Jean-Pierre Bourguignon as acting President of the European Research Council
Statement on ERC | 24 July 2020
The Guild calls on the European Parliament to improve spending on Horizon Europe and Erasmus+
Statement on EU budget | 22 July 2020
Securing a strong outcome for research in the EU-UK future relationship: reaching an agreement on UK participation in Horizon Europe
Joint Statement on Brexit | 22 July 2020
The Guild urges for full UK association to Horizon Europe alongside over 100 organisations and researchers.
#EUInvestInKnowledge
Joint Statement on EU budget | 14 July 2020
The Guild and 15 other university associations call on EU Member States to prioritise investment in research, education and innovation.
Successful ERA requires maintaining focus on Europe’s ability to create world class new knowledge
Statement on ERA | 7 July 2020
The Guild reissues its call for the European Research Area (ERA) to focus on strengthening the production of new knowledge through academic research.
European ambition for research and innovation needs stronger reflection in the EU’s budget for 2021-2027
Statement on EU budget | 28 May 2020
The Guild urges the Commission, the European Council and the European Parliament to increase their commitment to research, education and innovation in the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), and ensure a timely start for 2021.
The Guild fully supports the Scientific Council of the ERC
Statement on ERC | 8 April 2020
The Guild expresses its full support to the European Research Council (ERC), following its request made on 27 March for Prof. Mauro Ferrari to resign as President of the ERC.
EU and UK research and higher education organisations plan a strong future relationship post Brexit
Joint Statement | 31 January 2020
The Guild’s Presidents support the joint call of over 40 science and higher education stakeholders across the UK and Europe for continued cooperation following the departure of the UK from the EU.
2019
Open letter to CULT committee members
Open letter on priorities for education | 25 September 2019
The Guild publishes recommendations on European education policies for members of the European Parliament’s Committee on Culture and Education.
Open letter to ITRE committee members
Open letter on priorities for research and innovation | 19 September 2019
The Guild publishes recommendations on European research and education policies for ITRE Committee members.
Open letter to Commissioner-designate Mariya Gabriel
Open letter to next Commissioner on research and education | 18 September 2019
The Guild publishes recommendations on European research and education policies ahead of the commissioner candidate hearings.
Seize our Common Future
Joint Statement | 25 July 2019
The Guild together with 14 European university and research organisations call for an ambitious Horizon Europe budget to foster excellent cross-border research and innovation.
2018
Research excellence and cooperation must prevail in Horizon Europe
Joint Statement on Horizon Europe | 8 November 2018
Scientific leadership and global impact key priorities in the current negotiations on Horizon Europe
Statement on key priorities in current negotiations - Horizon Europe | 5 November 2018
The Guild affirms the key priorities that should be addressed as part of the ongoing legislative work leading to the establishment of the EU’s new framework programme for research and innovation.
Universities united for the best Horizon Europe
Joint Statement | 15 June 2018
In the wake of the European Commission’s release of its outline for the Ninth Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (Horizon Europe), 14 European associations representing universities united to respond to the proposal.
Guild Presidents call on Horizon Europe and Erasmus to strengthen Europe’s global position in science, education, and innovation
Statement on Horizon Europe and Erasmus | 12 June 2018
Research, education and innovation must be at the core of the EU’s future vision. Hence, we welcome Horizon Europe’s new approaches. However, Europe’s global position in science and innovation requires a much higher level of ambition, read our recommendations here.
Research and innovation for the Europe we want to see
Statement on SSH in FP9 | 19 April 2018
FP9 must empower researchers to fulfil their potential and contribute to evidence-based policies on social cohesion, education, intercultural communication, democratic participation, and developing a fair and sustainable economy in the context of globalisation. The Framework Programme must contribute to a deeper understanding of the effects of disruptive innovation, and transformation based on expertise in all STEAM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Medicine), to strengthen our societies, cultures, institutions, and economies.
2017
Exchange of ideas, mobility of people and sharing of facilities and valuable research data will be critical to the success of European and UK science
Joint Statement on Brexit | 11 December 2017
Groups representing over 58 top European universities call for the EU and UK to be ambitious and work towards a settlement on research that will support joint-working after Brexit.
Investing in the Future of Europe – The Guild’s statement on Brexit
Statement on Brexit | 13 November 2017
The success of European universities depends on their ability to circulate ideas freely, through their researchers, students, and alumni. This must not be affected adversely by Brexit.
The Guild’s response to the Lamy report
Statement on Lamy report | 18 July 2017
In its response to the High-Level Group report on the future of EU research and innovation, the Guild welcomes the proposal to double the budget for the next Framework Programme. However, the Guild stresses that investing in research, innovation, and education is not only economically sound, it also strengthens Europe’s public life, and preserves its social and cultural welfare.
The Guild’s response to the Commission’s renewed Agenda for Higher Education
Statement on the Commission's renewed Agenda for HE | 16 June 2017
The Guild endorses the European Commission’s latest proposals to further strengthen European higher education, built on a recognition that effective education systems are the foundation of open, fair and democratic societies.
The Guild’s response to the ITRE draft report on H2020 and FP9
Statement on ITRE draft report on H2020 and FP9 | 5 April 2017
The Guild welcomes the recommendations of the European Parliament’s ITRE Committee for the next Framework Programme, based on a careful review of how Horizon 2020 has succeeded in its mission to foster excellent science, respond to societal challenges and boost industrial leadership in Europe.