High Level Workshop Concluding Statement on a Balanced, Collaborative and Secure R&I Framework

The 2025 High Level Workshop on the European Research Area, co-organised by the Research Council of Norway, UK Research and Innovation, and Science Europe between 18-20 November, gathered leaders from across the R&I community to discuss how Europe can reinforce excellence, openness, and security in the next Framework Programme.

In a context of geopolitical uncertainty and the need to reinforce trust in science, participants underlined the need for a balanced approach that safeguards academic freedom, supports meaningful international cooperation, and strengthens Europe’s long-term competitiveness.

Highlights of the discussion included:

• A broad vision of competitiveness, rooted in sustained investment and aligned with societal needs.

• Stronger interconnectedness, with interdisciplinary and cross-border collaboration remaining essential despite global pressures.

• Responsible governance, combining self-governance and integrity with effective EU-level support.

• A balanced approach to openness and security, ensuring risk mitigation does not limit the benefits of international cooperation.

• Coherent EU instruments and association, with clear links between programmes and smooth participation for Associated Countries.

The Workshop reaffirmed the importance of continued dialogue across the R&I community to build a robust, trusted, and collaborative European research ecosystem, and the need for policy recommendations and concrete follow-up actions to ensure that the new Horizon Europe and related European initiatives have impact, foster trusted partnerships, and maintain Europe’s leadership in scientific excellence.