On July 5th, the Commission released the 2022 edition of the Science, Research and Innovation Performance (SRIP) report, analysing the EU’s innovation performance in a global context. As mentioned by Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, the document provides insight on how research and innovation are central to reach the objectives set out in the digital and green transitions that Europe needs. In particular, the report presents five processes that will have to be put in place to achieve these goals:
- Help achieve green and digital economies, for prosperous societies that leave no-one behind;
- Prepare for changes, both those on the horizon and the unexpected, with secure economies, diversified supply chains and knowledge that will help to address future challenges;
- Invest more in people, businesses and institutions to find solutions;
- Connect individuals and organisations to access and share skills and knowledge and to reduce gaps between regions and countries, for a stronger innovation system;
- Ensure the right institutional and financial framework conditions co-created with citizens to target priority areas.
This year’s report confirms the EU’s strong position as a global driver in terms of scientific production and technological output. While representing just 6% of the world’s population, it accounts for about 18% of the global R&D investments and 21% of the worldwide top-cited scientific publications. In terms of technological output, the EU is leading globally in the climate field, with 23% of total patent applications.
Improving the EU’s business environment and innovation capacity will be of paramount importance if the EU is to keep its global position as promoter of cutting-edge breakthroughs. This will require addressing long-standing issues, such as shortcomings in access to finance, innovation-averse regulatory frameworks, the persistent divide between strongly performing firms and laggards, and the difficulty in attracting and retaining talent, all of which the new European Innovation Agenda is expected to tackle.
Please read the full report here. Furthermore, the document was presented during virtual launch event took place on 12 July 2022 from 15:00 to 17:00 (CET). It presented the report’s key findings and host a discussion with high-level speakers on current trends in research and innovation and related policies.
Source: INSME Secretariat
