Deal aims to align policies and support reciprocal access to research and innovation funding programmes
The EU and US have today signed a joint statement renewing their cooperation on research and innovation, just days before Donald Trump is inaugurated for his second term as US president.
The European Commission hailed the move as “a significant milestone in [the] bilateral relationship”, which the agreement itself says is “indispensable for security and prosperity”.
“[The agreement] reaffirms the engagement of both sides to deepen their partnership on R&I to address pressing global challenges, from climate change to health crises,” the Commission said.
“It also aims to foster scientific excellence and shared values such as openness, academic freedom, research ethics and evidence-based policymaking.”
Tackling common challenges
The agreement says the EU and US “have the power to bring together some of the world’s best research resources to more effectively address common challenges”, and currently account for almost half of global R&I spending.
By deepening their R&I partnership, it says, they can therefore increase their work on green and digital transitions, global health and more.
The two share “basic principles and fundamental values for international cooperation in R&I”, it adds, making them “natural partners”.
“We intend to continue to develop a common understanding of open science, research security and integrity-related principles,” the text says.
Informing and aligning policymaking
The two also recognise “the paramount importance of science” for policymaking, intend to continue to support Ukrainian science, and welcome work to facilitate more transatlantic data-sharing, particularly for health research.
The text says the EU and US intend to align their policies “as appropriate” and support the participation of their researchers in each other’s R&I funding programmes.
The agreement is based on work carried out by a Joint Consultative Group, in particular through a March 2024 meeting. This group will meet again in 12-18 months to carry the cooperation forward, it says.