Reimaging research, innovation and education: How integrated RIE systems can boost Europe’s competitiveness

On 10 February 2026, the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) published a report that summarises the key policy recommendations emerging from a multi-stakeholder conference on how research, innovation, education (RIE) and skills can be better aligned to support Europe’s competitiveness, resilience and strategic autonomy. EU policymakers regard the domains of RIE and skills as critical to drive the EU’s future competitiveness, resilience and autonomy in an increasingly turbulent world, characterised by geopolitical upheaval, rapid technological change, and intensifying global competition.

On discussions from the EIT Education & Skills Days, this report, produced by Science|Business, explores the key policy recommendations that emerged from a multi-stakeholder conference on how research, innovation, education and skills can be better aligned to support Europe’s competitiveness, resilience and strategic autonomy.

To address the new demands on Europe’s talent and innovation systems, the EIT Higher Education Initiative (EIT HEI) conference on 16 October 2025 explored some of the key upgrades and innovations required to align RIE systems and organisations behind the EU’s strategic agenda. Part of the two-day EIT Education and Skills Days, the conference focused on bold new models that will keep education at the forefront of innovation, and the role of universities in this evolution.

As the only EU funding programme targeted at innovation in higher education, the EIT HEI aims to connect educators and industry within Europe’s largest innovation ecosystem and ensure that innovation thrives. To date, the Initiative has invested more than €120 million, trained more than 118,000 people, and supported more than 2,000 start-ups.

The repost is available here.