In the middle of last year, the European Commission adopted the new European Research Area (ERA) Policy Agenda 2025–2027. With an aim to improve the collaboration and development of research and innovation in Europe by making this domain more inclusive, sustainable, and impactful.
The agenda has 11 long-term structural ERA policies, dealing with long-term aims (e.g., open science and research infrastructure), and 8 ERA actions, focusing on specific or new challenges such as artificial intelligence in the context of science.
The Agenda is designed to contribute to the four strategic priorities:
First is Deepening a truly functioning internal market for knowledge (e.g., improving cross-border cooperation, improving open science and mobility).The second is Taking up together the green and digital transitions, and other societal challenges (aligning R&I efforts with EU missions and transitions). Next is Enhancing access to excellent research and innovation for all (strengthening inclusiveness and cohesion by supporting underrepresented regions and institutions); and fourth is Advancing concerted investments and reforms in R&I. This priority does not have structural policies or actions attached to it.
The goal of the EU is to reach the 3% R&D investment target, and for Serbia, 1.3% (as a percentage of GDP). Neither has yet been achieved.
BEAMING Board Meeting in Novi Sad
Through the BEAMING project, the Institute works on institutional reforms, improving the implementation of Open Science practices, and aligning higher education institutions and research institutes across Europe and the Western Balkans with the newest developments related to the ERA Policy Agenda. From 12 to 14 May 2026, the University of Novi Sad hosted 17 partner organisations from 13 countries to share knowledge, exchange experiences, and plan future activities within the BEAMING project. Sinisa Borota, Programme Manager at the Institute for Development and Innovation, presented to the consortium the evolution of the priorities of the European Research Area, including the current ERA Policy Agenda 2025–2027.
Through BEAMING, a four-year Horizon Europe project, the goal of the Institute for Development and Innovation is to gain knowledge and experience regarding the capacities of higher education institutions and research institutes for genuine cooperation and knowledge exchange.
