Speaking at the European Partnership Stakeholder Forum in Brussels, Zaharieva called for closing the innovation gap. ‘This is central to the new competitiveness compass and will guide the work of the new Commission,’ she said.
Streamlining
Zaharieva wants to increase research funds and simplify access to funding by reducing administrative burdens. ‘Researchers and innovators should ot spend half their time on reporting and unnecessary procedures,’ she said.
European collaborations remain a cornerstone of EU research, according to Zaharieva, but she said more coordination and streamlining is needed to avoid duplication. ‘We need to ask: can a portfolio of 60 partnerships deliver the strategic alignment Europe needs now?’
Zaharieva’s plans are in line with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s ambitions to prioritise research and innovation in competition with non-EU countries like China and the US. She calls for more private investment and incentives for SMEs and start-ups.
Image: Ugis Riba/Shutterstock
