UNICA President to moderate session at Science|Business Annual Public Conference, ‘New Mandate, New Agenda: Will the EU Live Up to Its Promises on R&I?’

30 January 2025 | From UNICA

UNICA President to moderate session at Science|Business Annual Public Conference, ‘New Mandate, New Agenda: Will the EU Live Up to Its Promises on R&I?’

Story highlights:
– Prof. Sorin Costreie, UNICA President, is moderating a session during the S|B Annual Public Conference, which aims to stir up discussions on scaling up R&I financing amid economic constraints and political divisions

Policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers are meeting on February 6, in Brussels and online, for high-level debates on the future of EU R&I at the Science|Business Annual Public Conference ‘New Mandate, New Agenda: Will the EU Live Up to Its Promises on R&I?‘. Discussions will tackle budget restructuring, the role of a competitiveness fund, FP10’s direction, and Europe’s approach to breakthrough innovation and global cooperation.

About the topic & programme

As the EU prepares its next multi-year budget (2028-2034) and the successor to Horizon Europe (FP10), major questions loom over research and innovation funding. With calls for massive investment from leaders like Enrico Letta, Mario Draghi, and Manuel Heitor, the challenge remains: how to scale up R&I financing amid economic constraints and political divisions?

The summit will consist on a series of discussions on the next phase of European research and innovation (R&I) under the new European Commission.

Key sessions include:

  • Plenary: Full Speed Ahead for R&I – Examining the Commission’s priorities for science, technology, and innovation in the new mandate.
  • Spotlight Session: 4th Generation Universities – Exploring how universities can integrate education, research, and innovation to drive regional and societal impact.
  • Parallel Debates – Addressing two key challenges: securing long-term R&I funding and balancing research security with global scientific collaboration.
  • Breakout Sessions – Deep dives into industrial innovation, biotech, artificial intelligence in research, and Europe’s potential for high-risk, high-reward funding models.
  • Plenary on R&D for a Safer, Healthier World – Discussing the role of global cooperation in health innovation.
  • Afternoon Parallel Sessions – Tackling future framework programmes, the role of Widening countries in European competitiveness, and aligning higher education with industry needs.

This high-level event will set the stage for European R&I policy over the coming years, addressing critical funding, geopolitical, and technological challenges.

During the parallel sessions in the afternoon period, the session “Added value: Can Widening countries drive European competitiveness?” will be moderated by the President of UNICA, Prof. Sorin Costreie. Supported by the Science|Business Widening Initiative – which UNICA joined last year – the session will explore how Widening R&I ecosystems can contribute to the EU’s competitiveness agenda, both by enhancing their own competitiveness within the Union and by strengthening Europe’s global position. It will also examine the potential role of a Widening 2.0 instrument within the proposed Competitiveness Fund and its alignment with strategic objectives.

Learn more about this event and register at the event’s official page.


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