Research and innovation to thrive in the poly-crisis age

This ESIR policy brief explores how Europe's research and innovation (R&I) policy can make a decisive contribution to Europe's 'earthshot', i.e. creating a Europe where citizens live well, at peace and within planetary boundaries. It calls for R&I to adapt quickly, to be effective for a context of continual mega-crises, complexity and insecurity, and to fully align with the resulting societal and policy challenges. The authors recommend European R&I policy, the next Framework Programme, and the EU Missions, to embrace four principles in order to be fit for the 2030s: Take risk to manage risk; direct the action; anticipate, adapt and learn; and align and integrate.