EU-LIFE meets with Ekaterina Zaharieva, new Commissioner for Startups, Research & Innovation

An EU-LIFE delegation met this week in Brussels with Ekaterina Zaharieva, Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation (2024-2029). The delegation included Giulio Superti-Furga, EU-LIFE Chair and Director of CeMM, Marta Miączyńska, EU-LIFE Co-Chair and Director of IIMCB, and Marta Agostinho, Executive Director of EU-LIFE. The main goal of the meeting was to welcome the new commissioner into the scientific ecosystem and to share EU-LIFE's insights into the future of European research & innovation.

“We are most grateful to Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva for the energic and fruitful meeting. We seized the opportunity to convey the essential role of independent research institutes for research and innovation, as well as EU-LIFE’s commitment to the European Commission’s priorities and the European Research Area,“ said Marta Agostinho, Executive Director of EU-LIFE.

The conversation covered a wide range of topics including the impact of the current geopolitical situation on research & innovation, EU-LIFE recommendations for FP10 and the forthcoming European Research Area (ERA) Act. Topics discussed included the need for simplification of data interoperability, for scientific passports, and more broadly, for collaborative research across Europe.

Last but foremost, EU-LIFE reaffirmed its commitment to continue contributing to European science policy with regular participation in the European Commission policy dialogue and in its capacity as Research & Technology Performing Organisation in the ERA Forum.