Research and innovation

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

Over €280 billion invested

since 1984

Over 120 000 grants signed

with some 75 000 beneficiaries

More than 30 Nobel prizes

won by EU-funded researchers

Areas of action

Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Science

Explore how artificial intelligence is being implemented in scientific progress.

Bioeconomy

Find out more on how the EU supports bioeconomy research and innovation

Energy

Discover how research and innovation enhance renewable energy efficiency and develop technologies for a cleaner future

Environment

Achieving climate neutrality, and advancing sustainable development through science, investment, and collective action

Food systems

Learn more about sustainable food systems

Health

Advancing health through innovation, personalised medicine, and cutting-edge technologies

Industrial research and innovation

Sustainable industry transformation through research and innovation

Social sciences and humanities

Investments into democratic governance, cultural heritage, and social and economic transformations

Transport

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

Science4EU: the EU stands for science

The EU supports scientists, researchers and innovators working to improve people’s lives. Together we have achieved cleaner energy, better satellites to monitor our planet, and life-saving advances in healthcare.

Meet some of the inspiring people behind EU-supported breakthroughs and discover how our support for science is shaping a better Europe.

Learn more