Call for Public Consultation: Have Your Say on the Future of the European Research Area
The European Commission launched a public consultation on the proposed European Research Area (ERA) Act, and this is a critical opportunity for the research and innovation community to help shape the future of research policy in Europe.
- Consultation period (extended): 13 October 2025 – 23 January 2026 (midnight, Brussels time)
- Open to participants from all countries and organisations
Your input now can directly influence how the ERA Act addresses long-standing structural challenges in Europe’s research and innovation ecosystem.
Click here to participate now!
Why the ERA Act Matters
The planned ERA Act responds to persistent issues that continue to affect Europe’s research landscape, including:
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Fragmented regulatory and policy frameworks
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Uneven R&D investment across Member States
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Barriers to knowledge sharing, mobility, and collaboration
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Challenges to achieving the EU’s 3% GDP R&D investment target
Through this initiative, the European Commission aims to strengthen the overall environment for research and innovation by:
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Better aligning EU and national funding priorities
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Focusing support on strategic research priorities
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Promoting the free movement of knowledge and talent across Europe
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Boosting Europe’s competitiveness and innovation capacity
From Evidence to Action
This public consultation follows a call for evidence that closed on 10 September 2025, which gathered initial feedback on the challenges facing the European Research Area. The current questionnaire-based consultation is a key next step, allowing stakeholders to provide more detailed input that will help shape the Commission’s proposal for a regulation.
The questionnaire is currently available in English and responses may be submitted in any official EU language.
Who Can Participate?
The consultation is open to a wide and diverse group of stakeholders, including:
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National and regional administrations
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Higher education and research-performing organisations
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Research communities and individual researchers
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Private-sector organisations, including SMEs
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Research and technology infrastructures
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Scientific publishers and advisory bodies
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Civil society organisations and members of the public
Whether you are directly involved in research and innovation or affected by its outcomes, your perspective matters.
How to Contribute
You can participate by completing the online questionnaire via the European Commission’s Have Your Say portal.
Please note:
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Organisations and businesses are asked to register in the EU Transparency Register
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You can log in using an existing social media account
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If you are unable to use the online questionnaire, alternative contact options are provided on the consultation page
Make Your Voice Count
The ERA Act will play a significant role in shaping how research and innovation are supported, governed, and connected across Europe. Broad participation is essential to ensure that the resulting framework reflects diverse realities, needs, and ambitions.
The deadline is 23 January 2026 at midnight (Brussels time).
Now is the time to contribute your insights and help shape a stronger, more coherent, and more inclusive European Research Area!