Cooperation opportunities between US and EU in research and innovation
Future Europe 21 September 2024Estimated time of reading: ~ 3 minutes
The partnership between the United States (US) and the European Union (EU) in research and innovation is a cornerstone of their strategic alliance.
Indeed, the US has long been the most active non-EU participant in EU research and innovation programs. In the Horizon 2020 program, US organizations were involved in over 1,500 projects, making them the top contributor in participant numbers and budget share among non-EU countries. In the current Horizon Europe program, US entities are participating in more than 450 projects. While US participants typically provide their funding as Associated partners, there are exceptional cases where US entities might receive EU funding, particularly in areas like health research. From 2014 to 2020, American researchers received €119.5 million in EU grants, with the University of California being the largest recipient.
Another significant component of EU funding for international researchers is the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA). This program supports researchers at all stages of their careers, offering grants for doctoral and postdoctoral training and research fellowships. US researchers have benefited from this program by securing fellowships and participating in cross-border research projects, fostering greater transatlantic collaboration. Despite these significant numbers, challenges do exist.
One major issue has been the contractual terms of EU research programs. The Horizon 2020 program included a standard grant agreement that held project partners jointly and severally liable. This provision raised concerns among US universities about potential legal risks.
Publishing rights and intellectual property rights also present challenges. Some US institutions worry that the EU’s requirements for open and rapid communication of research results might conflict with US laws or hinder their ability to publish findings independently. To address these concerns, proposals exist to ensure that individual partners retain the right to publish their research results, regardless of the collaborative nature of the project.
More generally, the preparation of EU projects appears more onerous than in many national US research programmes. In addition to these “technicalities”, the political and global developments and the latest wars and conflicts have raised new challenges in specific fields connected to Research & Development, like security and technology secrets. According to Richard L. Hudson, co-founder, editorial director and vice chair of Science|Business, “The Commission’s Horizon planning will have to work out a more explicit – and practical – way of managing security while inviting collaboration with allies”.
From this perspective, it seems that these technical aspects may affect more the scientific international cooperation between the EU and the US than the changes of Governments and Presidents that occurred over the years, rececently in the EU and to happen very soon in the US.
Despite these challenges, the overarching narrative remains positive, with the US and EU continuing to forge effective and impactful research collaborations.
Moreover, the recent extension of the EU-US Science and Technology agreement for another five years, approved by the Council in September 2023, highlights the commitment to overcoming these obstacles and enhancing cooperation. In conclusion, while there are areas requiring negotiation and adjustment, the US and EU remain dedicated to fostering a strong and productive research and innovation partnership.
For more details and examples of funded projects between EU-US, you can access the document “EU-US cooperation in research and innovation – A transatlantic success story“, published by the EU Commission in 2023.
Sources:
International cooperation with United States in research and innovation (europa.eu)
Written by: Cristina Ceccarelli
