High Level Workshop on ERA 2026

About the Workshop

The 2026 edition of the High Level Workshop on the ERA takes place against a rapidly evolving European and global policy landscape. The proposal for the next Horizon Europe Framework Programme for Research & Innovation (2028–2034) introduced the possibility of supporting dual-use R&I activities ‘by design’, reflecting a broader policy focus on strengthening Europe's security, resilience, and strategic autonomy.

At the same time, increased investment in defence-related and security research, alongside the development of the ERA Act, raises important questions about how research organisations can contribute to security objectives while safeguarding international fundamental scientific values, such as academic freedom, openness, ethics, and research integrity.

European research funders and research performers are challenged by their national governments and by the European institutions to ensure that their research base contributes to their national defence and security agenda, through funding collaborations across government, academia, industry, and society. In parallel, Science Europe recognises the importance of academic freedom and the right of researchers to choose whether or not to engage in defence- and security-related research. Additionally, how can such research still meet ethical, legal, and national security obligations, and can research ultimately benefit from this?

Discussions are planned across two sessions:

• The contribution of basic research and innovation to Europe’s security and resilience
• Change in culture for a resilient society

The High Level Workshop on the ERA is by invitation only.