Transitions on the horizon: Perspectives for the European Union's future research and innovation policies

Research and innovation is at the core of the Commission's vision for a more united, stronger and democratic Union. Our budgetary proposals for the period 2021-2027 include the largest absolute increase ever to the European Union's investment in research and innovation to e 100bn. Horizon Europe, the next framework programme for research and innovation (2021-2027) is the main vehicle that will bring the investment to bear on Europe's ability to shape the future. Foresight has been a key ingredient of the Commission's preparations for Horizon Europe. It was more than two years ago that we launched a foresight study to support future EU policy in research and innovation: the BOHEMIA study. The study has accompanied the preparations of our proposals ever since. Its first report, published in June 2017, described broad scenarios about the evolution of the context of EU research and innovation based on the Sustainable Development Goals and on the role of the European Union in the world. Those scenarios helped shape the recommendations of the High Level Group on maximising the impact of EU research and innovation programmes, chaired by Pascal Lamy, as well as the Commission's reflection on global challenges. Its second report, published in December 2017, made public the data from a Delphi survey investigating future trends in science, technology, the economy, society and in research and innovation systems. This data has been very helpful for our reflections on a mission-oriented approach. This final report of the BOHEMIA study involves scenarios and recommendations that broaden our strategic intelligence and allow us to reflect on new important emerging areas, risks and opportunities, and on new ways to stimulate important transitions. It provides an information base and a reflection that advances the debate on Horizon Europe and how to maximise its impact for a better Europe in a better world.