Seizing Europe’s innovation moment: Empowering science and technology through the Innovation Act

Leading universities of science and technology united within CESAER set out seven recommendations to unlock the full potential of Europe’s innovation ecosystems through the forthcoming European Innovation Act.
17th June 2025
Back to overview

The leading universities of science and technology across Europe united within CESAER have released their vision for the European Innovation Act, calling for a systemic approach that empowers researchers and innovators across the full knowledge value chain, from frontier science to real-world impact.

In this position, we present seven key recommendations to unlock the full potential of Europe’s innovation ecosystems through the Innovation Act:

  1. Innovative approaches and tools – support mechanisms bridging development through the full innovation continuum, from frontier research to technological impact.
  2. Mobilising more private capital – unlock patient, risk-tolerant investment in deep tech and university spinouts.
  3. Skills and talent development – create modern, attractive careers and open mobility pathways.
  4. Coordination of research and innovation policies – ensure coherence across EU instruments and governance levels.
  5. Radical simplification – reduce bureaucratic burden and complex regulations and empower researchers and innovators.
  6. Strategic autonomy and societal goals – align innovation with sustainability, resilience, and prosperity.
  7. Strengthening global collaboration – preserve openness and global leadership through partnerships.

“The upcoming Innovation Act is a unique opportunity to drive innovation leadership based on Europe’s scientific excellence. The Act must support researchers and innovators, reduce fragmentation, and catalyse long-term investment across the full knowledge continuum. Bold, coordinated action is needed now to strengthen our global competitiveness and resilience.”
Tim Bedford (Vice-President of CESAER, Co-Chair of Task Force Innovation and Associate Principal for Research and Innovation at the University of Strathclyde)

“Universities of science and technology are already delivering the talent, technologies, and partnerships Europe needs. But too often, bureaucratic hurdles and fragmented support prevent ideas from reaching their full potential. The Innovation Act must enable our institutions to innovate at scale and with impact.”
Toril Hernes (Co-Chair of Task Force Innovation, CESAER Board Member and Pro-Rector for Innovation at NTNU)

For more information, please contact our Information & Communication Officer Justine Moynat.

Request more information

If you want to know more about CESAER click on the button below.

Request more information here
Cookies

We distinguish the following types of cookies, based on their purposes:

  • Essential / Strictly Necessary Cookies:

    These cookies are necessary for the functioning of the website and cannot be disabled. They are usually set in response to your actions, such as setting privacy preferences, logging in, or filling out forms. Without these cookies, proper communication and navigation are not possible.
  • Non-Essential Cookies:

    These cookies are not strictly necessary for the website to function but help us provide an improved and personalized experience.
    These include:
    • » Functional Cookies:

      These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalization (e.g., displaying external videos). They may be set by us or by external partners whose services we have added to our pages.
    • » Analytical Cookies:

      These cookies help us track website visits and traffic to gain insights into the website’s performance and areas for improvement. They help us see which pages are popular and how visitors navigate the site.
    • » Targeting / Advertising / Marketing Cookies:

      These cookies may be set by our advertising partners through our website. They are used by these partners to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant advertisements on other websites.

We use both our own cookies and those of carefully selected partners we collaborate with.


Want to know more?

Check out our detailed Cookie policy » and our Privacy policy » .

This website uses cookies to store settings and collect statistics. If you click the "Allow all" button, you are giving us permission to use all cookie types.

If you want more detailed information or to be able to set your own preferences, please use the "Customize" button.
Cookie image