ERA Partnership

The ERA Partnership indicates a set of measures suitable for completing the European Research Area. Based on an analysis of Europe's research performance and effectiveness and a stakeholder consultation, the European Commission proposed six priorities for changes. These priorities are:

   
• More effective national research systems – including increased competition within national borders and sustained or greater investment in research;
   
• Optimal transnational co-operation and competition - defining and implementing common research agendas on grand challenges, raising quality through Europe-wide open competition, and constructing and running key research infrastructures effectively on a pan-European basis;
   
• An open labour market for researchers - to ensure the removal of barriers to researcher mobility, training and attractive careers;
   
• Gender equality and gender mainstreaming in research – to end the waste of talent which Europe cannot afford, and to diversify views and approaches in research and promote excellence;
   
• Optimal circulation, access to and transfer of scientific knowledge - including via digital ERA - to guarantee access to and uptake of knowledge by all;
   
• International Cooperation.

The partnership between EU member states, associated countries and the Commission is represented by the European Research Area and Innovation Committee (ERAC).

There is also a partnership between the Commission and European stakeholder organisations to work together towards achieving the ERA.The following asociations signed an ERA declaration in 2012:

   
• European Association of Research and Technology Organsiations (EARTO)
   
• European University Association (EUA)
   
• League of European Research Universities (LERU)
   
• Science Europe
   
• Nordforsk
   
• CESAER.