A tool to implement the ERA in the framework programme

The leading universities of science and technology from all over Europe united within CESAER reaffirm their commitment to advancing the European Research Area (ERA) and advocate for a streamlined, institutional approach to its implementation in the current and next framework programmes. With this position, we highlight the opportunity to turn the implementation of the ERA from a sometimes fragmented, project-by-project burden into a fully coherent, trust-based enabler of excellent research. Universities drive open science, gender equality, research integrity and more. They should be empowered to lead ERA implementation institutionally—with dedicated support and fewer duplicative checks. To achieve this, we recommend: leveraging the role of universities in implementing the ERA, adopting a trust-based, simplified approach to ERA compliance, enhancing the role of legal entity appointed representatives (LEARs), and deploying the European Excellence Initiative to support institutional ERA policies.