MEPs call for separate legislative act to protect freedom of scientific research

MEPs have called on the European Commission to accompany the European Research Area (ERA) Act proposal with a separate legislative proposal protecting the fundamental freedom of scientific research.

MEPs adopted the motion for a resolution on the ERA Act tabled by Eszter Lakos, a centre-right Hungarian MEP, on 10/03/2026 in Strasbourg. Lakos said: "We need to build the ERA on strong European values. Researchers must be free to explore ideas, challenge them and pursue knowledge independently. Protecting academic freedom, research integrity and openness in collaboration is essential not only for our democracies, but also for our global positioning and competitiveness."

Speaking at the plenary session in Strasbourg, Ekaterina Zaharieva, the European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation, said that while she shared the Parliament's aims, a separate legal act was not necessary.

"Enshrining scientific freedom into European law is a crucial aspect for both this Parliament and the Commission. But I don't see the need for an independent instrument. Scientific freedom is a…