©  D.R.
Georgi Dimitrov joins Roxana Mînzatu's cabinet as expert for education and skills

Georgi Dimitrov has taken up the post of Member of the Cabinet to the European Commission's Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness, Roxana Mînzatu. Dimitrov announced on 01/05/2026 that he would step down from his position as Head of Unit for…
Domain(s): Politics
• Category(ies): Essentials Politics, European commission, Careers, …
• Appointment # 439937
• Published on 04/05/26 at 12:31
©  Vivian Hertz / Research Matters
ERC revises changes to eligibility criteria for grant competitions

After announcing new restrictions on reapplying for European Research Council grants, the ERC Scientific Council has decided to revise some of the changes. On 29/04/2026, the ERC Scientific Council said it "has listened to the concerns from members of the research community about the recent…
Domain(s): Politics
• Category(ies): Essentials Politics, European commission, Research Performing Organisation (RPO), …
• News # 439735
• Published on 30/04/26 at 14:17
©  CC
Trump fires all 22 members of the National Science Board

US President Donald Trump has fired the 22 members of the National Science Board (NSB), an entity that establishes the policies of the National Science Foundation (NSF), an independent agency supporting fundamental research and education in all non-medical fields of science and engineering. US…
Domain(s): Politics, Institutions
• Category(ies): Essentials Politics, Advocacy groups , Research Funding Organisation (RFO), …
• News # 439637
• Published on 29/04/26 at 16:01
©  D.R.
Stephen Collins appointed Director of European Research Executive Agency

The European Commission has appointed Stephen Collins as Director for the European Research Executive Agency (REA) in Brussels on 28/04/2026. He will replace the acting director, Paul Webb, on a date to be confirmed. Collins, a British national, is currently Head of Unit for Corporate…
Domain(s): Politics
• Category(ies): Essentials Politics, European commission, Careers, …
• Appointment # 439500
• Published on 28/04/26 at 17:48
©  European Union
When will the "Phoney War" over the EU's future research programmes end? By Simon Taylor

You will sometimes hear Brits of a certain age talk about the “Phoney War”. This is a reference to the period between Nazi Germany’s invasion of Poland in September 1939 and May 1940, when British troops faced the Wehrmacht and were forced to retreat across the Channel. Please forgive the…
Domain(s): Politics
• Category(ies): Essentials Politics, Council, European commission, …
• Analysis # 433527
• Published on 10/03/26 at 17:39
©  Pixabay
EIC Advanced Innovation Challenges calls receive 709 requests for total funding of €131 million

The European Innovation Council (EIC) announced that it had received 709 proposals for its new Advanced Innovation Challenges calls for proposals. In total, applicants requested €130.7 million in funding on 09/03/2025. The two calls closed in February 2026. The first focused on projects aimed…
Domain(s): Politics
• Category(ies): Essentials Politics, Companies, European commission, …
• News # 433327
• Published on 09/03/26 at 17:58
©  D.R.
Zaharieva says US applications to ERC calls increase fivefold

The European Commission says that applications from non-EU researchers to the latest European Research Council (ERC) calls have doubled, with the number of applicants from the United States increasing fivefold. Ekaterina Zaharieva, the European Commissioner for Start-ups and R&I, speaking in…
Domain(s): Politics
• Category(ies): Essentials Politics, European commission, Research Funding Organisation (RFO), …
• News # 432906
• Published on 06/03/26 at 11:04
©  Unsplash
EUA sets out essential steps for stability and sustainability of university alliances

European university alliances need to align their members' missions as well as sustainable funding and effective leadership for them to "become stable and durable components of Europe’s higher education landscape", the European Universities Association (EUA) says in a strategic briefing published…
Domain(s): Politics
• Category(ies): Advocacy groups , Universities, Erasmus+, …
• News # 430297
• Published on 16/02/26 at 09:02
EU Council President says leaders agree to push ahead with plans to boost competitiveness

European Council President Antonio Costa said that EU leaders have agreed to make progress on improving the Union's competitiveness, including working on a new single set of rules to help companies take advantage of the single market. Speaking after an informal meeting of the EU's 27 leaders…
Domain(s): Politics
• Category(ies): Essentials Politics, Companies, Council, …
• News # 430424
• Published on 13/02/26 at 11:31
©  News Tank
France takes in 46 researchers as part of Choose France for Science programme

The French Ministry for Higher Education, Research and Space (MESRE) has announced the 46 researchers who are winners of the first wave of the "Choose France for Science" programme. The majority of winners announced on 04/02 have US (19) or French nationality (13). Most of them (41) come from…
Domain(s): Politics, Institutions
• Category(ies): Essentials Institutions, Essentials Politics, State, …
• News # 429499
• Published on 06/02/26 at 18:19