In light of the recent discussions surrounding the future of European Research and Innovation (R&I) funding, the independent expert report “Align, act, accelerate”, also called the Heitor Report, emerged as a pivotal contribution to this discourse.  EURASHE welcomes the overarching message advocating for enhanced industry participation, radical simplification for beneficiaries, and the mobilisation of private investment. Several recommendations brought up by the report align with EURASHE’s vision for FP10 and beyond. Nonetheless, important considerations need to be addressed from the viewpoint of applied higher education institutions.

Simplification 

EURASHE welcomes the report’s suggestion to streamline the EU funding process for research and innovation (R&I). Administrative obstacles have significantly hindered the ability of small and medium-sized institutions, such as Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS), to engage in European funding programmes. Reducing these administrative barriers is crucial to unleashing the innovative potential from often unforeseen sources. 

Background conditions for research and innovation  

The report recommends discontinuation of activities of the European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT) and the European Innovation Ecosystems Programme (EIE) due to insufficient outcomes. However, the little evidence provided is not based on independent analysis. For the EIT, the report only refers to two critical position papers, while mentioning the positive evaluation by the European Commission. For the EIE, one negative opinion is referenced, but in any case, we believe it’s too early to assess a programme that started under Horizon Europe with the first projects beginning in 2022. 

We recognise the important role of the EIT in providing targeted education and training for students and professionals. Its establishment of Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) is instrumental in fostering collaboration and innovation across various sectors. Similarly, the EIE programme serves as an essential connector in creating a single market for European R&I, contributing to the fifth freedom, outlined in the Letta Report “Much more than a Market”. EURASHE highlights the importance of these programs in establishing the essential conditions for a dynamic and interconnected European Innovation Ecosystem. The “Align, Act, Accelerate” Report neglects the importance of background conditions to enable higher levels of R&I performance across all actors and parts of the European Union.  

Different modes of innovation

The report focuses largely on breakthrough technologies and innovations, which can be categorised as the Science and Technology mode of innovation. While this plays an essential role, it should not overshadow the equally important but often less measurable Doing-Using-Interacting Mode of Innovation (DUI). In this mode, practice and interaction-based innovation are based on an institution’s formal and informal internal and external exchanges with suppliers, customers and competitors, and following a non-linear path. We, therefore, call for more evaluations based on qualitative analysis rather than merely relying solely on quantitatively measured output. 

Addressing the R&I Divide 

EURASHE emphasises the necessity of addressing the existing R&I divide within Europe. Innovation is often geographically concentrated, and the capacity to conduct R&I varies significantly both between and within countries. To avoid exacerbating these disparities, programmes such as WIDERA are crucial, combined with national effort to increase investment in R&I. We welcome a paradigm shift from “widening” to “Advancing Europe”, including an evaluation of the different instruments. However, the Report does not provide enough detail of how to achieve this paradigm shift and the need to increase the share of budget dedicated to addressing the R&I divide. This needs to be addressed holistically by the European Commission, intensely involving relevant stakeholders from widening countries, including applied sciences institutions.