Resources

The proposal results from close collaboration between the Commission, Member States, Horizon Europe Associated Countries, and European stakeholders within the ERA Forum. Like the first ERA Policy Agenda 2022-2024, it serves as a three-year roadmap to drive progress in areas such as open science and research assessment reform. Its goal is to transform the Pact for Research and Innovation’s priorities into concrete outcomes that enhance long-term cooperation across the EU. The agenda includes structural policies like open science and research careers, alongside targeted actions addressing challenges such as AI in science and research security. Expected results include a joint AI roadmap, strengthened cooperation on research security, and a European science-for-policy observatory.

The EU-funded Verity project, rebuilding the relationship between science and society, has published the VERITY Protocol, which provides a comprehensive framework of evidence-informed recommendations designed to enhance societal trust in science, research, and innovation. It serves as a practical guide for Stewards of Trust (SOTs)—organisations, groups, or individuals committed to fostering trust in science—by offering actionable strategies to cultivate trust in science. Developed through extensive research, including literature reviews, social network analysis, qualitative fieldwork, and co-creation workshops, the Protocol identifies six key categories of recommendations: Building Trustworthy Science, Engaging the Public in Scientific Processes, Educating and Raising Awareness, Science Communication, Building Supportive Policy Frameworks, and Collaboration.

The ERA Forum Sub-group on ‘Inclusive Gender Equality in the ERA’ concludes the ERA Policy Agenda 2022 – 2024 with a position paper presenting its vision for advancing inclusive gender equality in Framework Programme 10 (FP10) and beyond. This pivotal document lays the foundation for the next phase of European research and innovation, envisioning a future built on collaboration, sustainability, and inclusivity. The paper first reviews the recent advances and success in gender equality policy, including the eligibility criterion of Gender Equality Plans and integration of the gender dimension as a default requirement in Horizon Europe. It then offers nine key recommendations across three areas to secure and sustain the progress made through existing policy. Published December 2024.

The revised Charter for Access to Research Infrastructures is a key outcome of the ERA Policy Agenda (2022–2024). The Charter sets out non-regulatory principles and guidelines to help research infrastructures design fair, transparent, and effective access policies that put users at the centre.

The updated Charter promotes open science and the FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable), ensuring that data and results are widely available, reproducible, and beneficial across disciplines. It also addresses research security and strategic autonomy, aligning with Europe’s global research strategy and safeguarding the integrity of infrastructures.

Recognising the evolving role of research infrastructures, the Charter expands access to new user groups, including industry and SMEs, while highlighting the need for resilience during crises such as pandemics. By combining openness, security, inclusiveness, and resilience, the revised Charter strengthens the role of research infrastructures in supporting discovery, innovation, and Europe’s long-term competitiveness. The factsheet outlines its main principles and illustrates how it contributes to a stronger and more connected European Research Area.