What the EU does
Research and innovation is the backbone of the EU’s vision to deliver a competitive, resilient and sustainable future. It drives Europe's ability to tackle global challenges, create jobs and improve people’s lives.
Through funding from the Horizon Europe programme and coordination within the European Research Area, the EU empowers researchers, businesses and innovators to turn their ideas into reality, transforming knowledge into practical solutions that benefit citizens.
The EU’s main research and innovation policy goals are to
- strengthen Europe's competitiveness by fostering breakthrough technologies, supporting startups and scale-ups, and boosting industrial leadership in strategic sectors
- accelerate the green and digital transitions by developing solutions for climate neutrality, clean energy, circular economy, AI, quantum computing and cybersecurity
- support health and life sciences by driving medical innovation, improving disease prevention, and increasing resilience to health crises through biotechnology and life sciences
- ensure security and resilience by investing in critical technologies, cybersecurity and crisis preparedness
- promote research excellence and global cooperation by reinforcing the European Research Area (ERA), expanding international partnerships, and improving research infrastructure
Facts about research and innovation
Areas of action
Explore how artificial intelligence is being implemented in scientific progress.
Find out more on how the EU supports bioeconomy research and innovation
Discover how research and innovation enhance renewable energy efficiency and develop technologies for a cleaner future
Achieving climate neutrality, and advancing sustainable development through science, investment, and collective action
Learn more about sustainable food systems
Advancing health through innovation, personalised medicine, and cutting-edge technologies
Sustainable industry transformation through research and innovation
Investments into democratic governance, cultural heritage, and social and economic transformations
Transforming transport to meet climate goals
Key achievements
- EU-funded scientists have contributed to groundbreaking advances in cancer treatment, personalised medicine and vaccine development.
- The European Innovation Council has helped startups bring transformative technologies to market, from green hydrogen solutions to next-generation AI.
- Research has driven energy storage breakthroughs and next-generation renewable technologies, reducing Europe’s reliance on fossil fuels.
- EU research and innovation has enabled climate-neutral building materials, circular economy solutions and low-carbon industrial processes.
- EU-funded projects have advanced cybersecurity, AI governance and secure data infrastructure to ensure technological sovereignty.
In focus
A new EU platform designed to support innovators and startups across Europe has launched this week. A central entry point, the EU Innovation Platform, will help innovators seeking support to bring their ideas closer to the market by connecting them with relevant available services or funding calls.
This page was last updated on 9 June 2026