What is INSPIRING ERA?
Bringing the European Research Area (ERA) closer to its research community
INSPIRING ERA is a Horizon Europe project that supports researchers, research and higher education institutions, and innovation actors in understanding and applying the outcomes of the European Research Area (ERA). It helps turn policy into practice by connecting the people who create ERA policies with those who are affected by them and make use of them on the ground.
What We Do
INSPIRING ERA’s mission is to make ERA outcomes visible, understandable, and usable. We focus on the practical side of policy—translating its effects and showcasing ERA tools, frameworks, and services that the research and innovation community can take up.
We develop factsheets, organise events, and create tailored communication materials that help the research and innovation community navigate ERA’s opportunities—for example self-assessment tools for research careers, open science services and helpful guidelines on using AI in science.
How We Work
INSPIRING ERA operates as a two-way bridge:
- We translate policy into practice, helping the research and innovation community across Europe engage with ERA in a way that is meaningful, relevant, and accessible.
- At the same time, we gather insights from practitioners about how ERA is working in real-world settings—identifying needs, challenges, and good practices—and share them with European policymakers through policy briefs and recommendations.
Who We Reach
We primarily target individual researchers, research-performing organisations, higher education institutions, innovation actors, and national stakeholders who are not typically involved in policymaking but are directly impacted by ERA policies. At the same time, European and national policymakers benefit from the insights we collect during our work.
Our Contribution
INSPIRING ERA ensures that ERA policies don’t just exist on paper—but are understood, applied, and improved through practical engagement and structured feedback. By enabling mutual learning and community building, we help make ERA a lived reality for the people it’s designed to serve.
Latest News
- September 24, 2025
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- September 24, 2025
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- September 5, 2025
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The results of the Mutual Learning Exercise (MLE) on Research Careers, an initiative to support more attractive and sustainable research careers across Europe, are now available. The MLE, coordinated by the European Commission, brought together policymakers and experts from across the EU to exchange best practices and generate actionable recommendations
- July 14, 2025
The European Commission has launched a public consultation to gather input on the forthcoming Gender Equality Strategy for 2026-2030. Citizens, organizations, and stakeholders from across Europe are invited to share their perspectives, experiences, and recommendations to help shape policies aimed at advancing gender equality. The consultation seeks to ensure that
- July 11, 2025
The widerAdvance Facility, launched in January 2025 under Horizon Europe, offers something rare: fully tailored, expert support to help research-performing organisations in Widening Countries and Outermost Regions boost the visibility, uptake, and long-term impact of their EU-funded results. This initiative is all about helping you turn research outcomes into real-world
- June 30, 2025
Latest Events
- December 03, 2025
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- Tivoli Hotel & Congress Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
In an era where knowledge, innovation, and societal impact are central to Europe’s future, how we assess research and researchers has become a pivotal issue. Traditional evaluation systems, grounded primarily in narrow quantitative metrics, no longer suffice to capture the breadth and diversity of scholarly contributions. Recognizing this challenge, the
- November 03, 2025
- Bella Sky, Copenhagen, Denmark
- October 29, 2025
- Online (Microsoft Teams, breakout sessions: Menti/Slido)
- October 28, 2025
- Warsaw, The Staszic Palace - Maria Skłodowska-Curie Hall (72 Nowy Świat St., Warsaw)
- October 14, 2025
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- Online
How to turn smart ideas from research into real-world products and services? Experts will share new tools and approaches to help researchers, universities, and innovation professionals manage things like patents, copyrights, and know-how — also known as intellectual assets. The focus of the event is on practical tips for making
- September 16, 2025
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- Square Brussels (Mont des Arts, 1000 Brussels, Belgium)
INSPIRING ERA
INSPIRING ERA is a project funded by the Horizon Europe programme aimed at breathing new life into the European Research Area (ERA).
Our goal is to raise awareness, share best practices and speed up the adoption of advancements made under the umbrella of the ERA to benefit researchers and citizens across the countries involved.
ERA Policy Agenda 2025–2027
The European Commission, together with Member States and stakeholders, adopted the new ERA Policy Agenda to strengthen research and innovation across Europe.
It sets out 11 long-term structural policies and 8 concrete actions focused on open science, sustainable research careers, gender equality, reforming research assessment, and supporting the green and digital transitions.
The agenda reflects a renewed vision for a more inclusive, resilient, and impactful ERA—one that inspires trust, fosters mobility, and delivers solutions to Europe’s societal challenges.
A legacy of progress and a future of innovation
The European Research Area (ERA) marks 25 years of progress in building a single market for research, innovation, and knowledge across Europe.
Since 2000, the ERA has broken down barriers, strengthened collaboration, and enabled major scientific achievements in fields such as health, energy, digital technologies, and climate research.
Looking ahead, the ERA continues to evolve with renewed reforms, greater investment, and bold visions to make Europe a global leader in scientific excellence and innovation.
