HORIZON BLOG: European R&D policy newsbytes

In a significant move to bolster research and development, the Irish government has announced the establishment of Taighde Éireann (Research Ireland), a competitive research funding agency. This initiative aligns with the European Union’s AI Act, which aims to enhance transparency and establish guidelines on copyright, risk identification, and mitigation. The European Commission plans to finalize the code of practice by April 2025, with enforcement overseen by the newly created AI Office. The European Commission has approved a €998 million state aid measure for the Netherlands to promote renewable hydrogen production. Margrethe Vestager, the competition commissioner, emphasized that this funding will support various electrolyser projects while minimizing competition distortions. Additionally, Spain is set to receive €1.2 billion in EU funding to enhance its renewable hydrogen production capabilities, reflecting the EU's commitment to sustainable energy initiatives. A recent report from the European Investment Bank (EIB) highlights a concerning trend in the EU's scale-up landscape, revealing that EU scale-ups raise only half the capital of their Silicon Valley counterparts after a decade. Interestingly, a third of EU companies at the IPO stage opt to list on US exchanges, indicating a potential flight of capital. The report underscores the need for increased public funding to support these ventures. The ninth annual report by the European University Association (EUA) reveals that a quarter of European higher education institutions are experiencing low or declining institutional autonomy. This trend raises concerns about the governance and operational flexibility of these institutions. The European Commission has also released its European Research Area (ERA) Industrial Technologies Roadmap, advocating for policies that ensure the digital transition benefits society as a whole, alongside economic growth.