European Research Area Board

European Research Area Board
Name	European Research Area Board
Founded	2008
Dissolved	2013
Successor	European Research and Innovation Area Board
Purpose	High-level strategic advisory body for the European Research Area
Parent organization	European Commission

European Research Area Board. The European Research Area Board was a high-level, independent advisory body established to provide strategic guidance on the development and governance of the European Research Area. It was created in 2008 by the European Commission and operated until 2013, when it was succeeded by the European Research and Innovation Area Board. Composed of distinguished experts from across Europe and beyond, its primary role was to advise the Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science on critical issues related to European research policy and integration.

History and establishment

The board was formally established in 2008 following a mandate from the Council of the European Union, which sought to reinforce the governance of the emerging European Research Area. Its creation was a direct response to the Lisbon Strategy, which aimed to make the European Union the most competitive knowledge-based economy in the world. The inaugural chair was John Wood, a prominent figure from the United Kingdom's research landscape. The board's formation coincided with the preparation for the Eighth Framework Programme, later known as Horizon 2020, positioning it to influence the strategic direction of major European Union funding instruments. Its work concluded in 2013, with its functions and mandate transitioning to its successor body under the new European Commission leadership of José Manuel Barroso.

Mission and objectives

The core mission was to provide authoritative, independent advice to the European Commission on realizing a unified and competitive European Research Area. Key objectives included identifying major bottlenecks hindering the free movement of researchers, knowledge, and technology across the European Union. It focused on advocating for the removal of barriers to cross-border collaboration and promoting the development of world-class research infrastructures. The board also aimed to strengthen the link between European Union research policy and broader economic goals, emphasizing the role of science in addressing Grand Challenges such as climate change and public health. Its recommendations sought to shape policies that would enhance the attractiveness of Europe as a location for conducting research and innovation.

Structure and composition

The board comprised up to 22 high-profile members appointed in a personal capacity for their scientific expertise and strategic insight. Members were drawn from across the European Union member states and associated countries, including leading academics, industry representatives from companies like Philips and Siemens, and directors of major research organizations such as the Max Planck Society and the French National Centre for Scientific Research. The composition ensured a balance between different scientific disciplines, sectors, and geographical regions within Europe. It was chaired by a prominent figure, with support from a secretariat provided by the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation. This structure was designed to ensure its advice was both scientifically excellent and relevant to the practical realities of the European research landscape.

Key activities and initiatives

Its primary activity was the production of high-impact annual reports, which presented concrete recommendations to the European Commission and the Council of the European Union. These reports addressed themes such as the internationalization of the European Research Area, the modernization of university systems, and the optimization of large-scale research infrastructures like those within the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures. The board organized high-level hearings and consultations with stakeholders, including representatives from the European Parliament and national ministries. It also provided direct input into the design of Horizon 2020, advocating for a more challenge-driven and simplified program structure. Its initiatives consistently emphasized the need for stronger partnerships between the public sector, private industry, and academia.

Relationship with the European Research Area

The board was intrinsically linked to the policy framework of the European Research Area, acting as its principal independent advisory mechanism. Its analyses and recommendations directly fed into the European Commission's communications and policy proposals on strengthening the European Research Area, such as the 2012 European Commission communication titled "A Reinforced European Research Area Partnership for Excellence and Growth." It worked in dialogue with other advisory bodies like the European Research and Innovation Committee and engaged with the broader governance ecosystem involving the European Institute of Innovation and Technology. The board's work helped to operationalize the vision of a single market for research, influencing subsequent policy initiatives aimed at deepening integration, such as the ERA priorities set by member states.

Impact and legacy

The board's most significant impact was its substantial influence on the strategic orientation and design of the Horizon 2020 framework program, shaping its focus on societal challenges and simplified participation rules. Its advocacy contributed to policy shifts towards more open labor markets for researchers, influencing the revision of the European Charter for Researchers. The board's emphasis on knowledge transfer and innovation ecosystems helped pave the way for later instruments like the European Innovation Council. Its legacy is carried forward by the European Research and Innovation Area Board, which expanded the mandate to include a stronger innovation dimension. The board's reports remain key reference documents in the history of European Union research policy, marking a period of concerted effort to create a more cohesive and dynamic European research landscape.

Category:Advisory bodies of the European Union Category:Science and technology in the European Union Category:2008 establishments in the European Union