Divided, we will fall behind: Why we shouldn’t fear a connection between research and competitiveness

In May, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen confirmed plans for the next research and innovation Framework Programme, FP10, to be “self-standing” but “tightly connected” to a new European Competitiveness Fund. Official proposals from the Commission now give some detail to that connection, particularly on how Pillar 2 of FP10 will be linked to competitiveness priorities.

Some research-focused networks have voiced concerns, calling for “distinct” but “complementary” funding streams for research and competitiveness. They argue certain activities, such as those led by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) and the European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator, should be separated from FP10. There is also an emphasis on the need to support early-stage technology testing. These worries persist as the Commission’s formal proposals take shape.

But these discussions highlight what is truly at stake: Europe’s future economic strength and its ability to invest in world-leading research.

As EIT Health’s CEO Jean-Marc Bourez writes in his recent Science|Business op-ed, research, innovation, and competitiveness are interdependent, not separate silos.

“When there is so much evidence that weak links between these three elements are holding Europe back, distinct structures are the last things we need. We need tight connections.”

Why does this matter? Without an innovative and competitive economy, Europe will generate less public revenue, which in turn undermines investments in basic research — the foundation for future breakthroughs in health and beyond.

EIT Health’s role in bridging the gap

At EIT Health, we live this tight connection every day. As one of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology’s Knowledge and Innovation Communities, we bring together research, education, business, and healthcare delivery to foster collaboration that accelerates innovation and competitiveness.

• To date we have supported around 3000 start-ups and SMEs to grow, many from regions with moderate or modest innovation performance.
• The start-ups we back now attract over 30 times the amount we invest in supporting them — demonstrating the leverage effect of our network.
• We facilitate consortia that span multiple countries and sectors, breaking down barriers and promoting cross-border innovation.

Our approach embodies the integration that Europe needs: a connected innovation ecosystem where research leads to tangible economic and societal impact.

The prize of success is massive

The EU faces important choices about how to structure its future research and innovation funding. Getting this right means enabling the strong connections that turn research into market-ready solutions, attract private investment, and drive economic growth.

As Jean-Marc Bourez concludes:

“Research done in Europe will fuel start-ups which stay and grow here, attract private funding and drive our economic growth. […] The prize of success is massive and far-reaching.”

For Europe to maintain and strengthen its position as a global leader in health innovation, building and nurturing tight links across research, innovation, and competitiveness is essential.

Read the full opinion piece by Jean-Marc Bourez in Science|Business

Learn more about how EIT Health connects Europe’s innovation ecosystem by exploring our programme offering.