Talent Circulation and the European Research Area
The free circulation of researchers, knowledge and technology is a core dimension of the European Research Area (ERA). Talent or brain circulation refers to the balanced movement of skilled researchers and knowledge across borders, which enhances the overall research capacity and innovation potential within the ERA. As has been set out in the Council conclusions on deepening the ERA adopted by the Council at its 3797th meeting held on 28 May 2021, the achievement of balanced talent circulation involves reaching balanced geographical, intersectoral and interdisciplinary mobility of researchers and other R&D personnel. This concept emphasizes the importance of both attracting talent to regions in need and allowing researchers to move freely to gain experience and share knowledge, ultimately contributing to a more interconnected and robust research ecosystem.
Research performing institutions play a key role in facilitating talent circulation. By attracting top researchers from across Europe and beyond, institutions can build world-class research teams and boost their scientific output and impact. Enabling the mobility of talented researchers across Europe is essential for strengthening the competitiveness and excellence of the ERA's research and innovation system. Outgoing mobility also benefits institutions by exposing their researchers to new ideas, skills and collaborations that can be brought back to enrich the home institution. On the other hand, institutions may struggle to retain and attract talent. Unbalanced mobility patterns can lead to a brain drain from certain countries and regions, undermining their research capacities. To address this, the goal of the institutions within the ERA shall be oriented towards creation of attractive and sustainable research careers with adequate framework conditions to support balanced brain circulation. Institutions can contribute to this goal by offering interoperable, open and attractive career paths that facilitate mobility. Providing researchers with stable employment, competitive salaries, good working conditions and opportunities for professional development are key. Institutions should also promote a diversity of mobility schemes - geographical, intersectoral and interdisciplinary - to meet the varied needs of researchers at different career stages. By embracing talent circulation and investing in human capital, research performing institutions can drive excellence, innovation and impact in the ERA. Strengthening the pipeline of skilled researchers is essential for addressing global challenges and ensuring Europe's future prosperity.
The EU-level policies on talent attraction and retention
The European Union's policies encompass a variety of measures and strategies designed for the advancement of the European Research Area and attraction of talents.
Here you can find summaries of most relevant policies regarding the strategies of attracting and retaining talents to the European Research Area grouped based on the institution that adopted them.
Policies adopted by the European Commission
Here you can find summaries of most relevant policies regarding the strategies of attracting and retaining talents to the European Research Area adopted by the European Commission.
On 30 September 2020 the Commission adopted its Communication on “A New ERA for Research and Innovation“. In light of the of new challenges on the societal, ecological and economic level, the Commission introduces a new concept for ERA structured around two dimensions. The first dimension of the new ERA concept concerns deepening existing priorities and initiatives with the view to make European R&I system more efficient. The second dimension focuses on broadening ERA and setting up the new strategic objectives that will make ERA resilient towards the new challenges. Moreover, the Commission proposes to launch a Pact for Research and Innovation in Europe as a non-binding initiative aimed to define the values and principles that will guide joint action of the EU Member States and deepen the implementation of the new ERA’s objectives. In addition, the Commission included ERA Roadmap in the Appendix of the Communication specifying the timeline for implementation of EU-level action.
The policy summary is available HERE
For full document refer to the following link - European Commission. (2020). Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions - A new ERA for research and innovation COM (2020) 628 final
On 30 September 2020, the Commission adopted Communication on achieving the European Education Area and proposed the concrete steps to develop the European Education Area by 2025 along six dimensions: quality, inclusion and gender equality, green and digital transitions, teachers and trainers, higher education and geopolitical dimension.
The policy summary is available HERE
For full document refer to the following link - European Commission. (2020). Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on achieving the European Education Area by 2025 COM (2020) 625 final
he Skills Agenda aims to deliver a paradigm shift on skills in the EU in order to strengthen sustainable competitiveness, ensure social fairness and build resilience. The Agenda introduces 12 actions that aim to improve the relevance of skills in the EU and ensure up- and reskiling of the European workforce while delivering enhanced agenda for the EU labour market.
The policy summary is available HERE
For full document refer to the following link - European Commission. (2020). Communication from the Commission on the European Skills Agenda for sustainable competitiveness, social fairness and resilience COM (2020) 274 final
On May 18, 2021, the Commission adopted a Communication on the Global Approach to Research and Innovation, which serves as Europe's new strategy for international cooperation in research and innovation in a changing world. The Communication reaffirms the EU's commitment to international openness and fundamental values in research and innovation, and calls for strengthening the EU's role in supporting multilateral research and innovation partnerships.
The policy summary is available HERE
For full document refer to the following link - European Commission. (2021). Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on the global approach to research and innovation: Europe's strategy for international cooperation in a changing worldCOM (2021) 252 final
The goal of the Commission Communication on the New European Innovation Agenda is to provide measures designed to improve the EU´s innovation performance. The Commission grouped the measures into five flagship action areas with the aim to improve the deep tech innovation in the EU, deliver on the opportunities offered by the twin transition and build lasting global partnerships while meeting the need for future open strategic autonomy. Specifically, the flagship measures concern: (1) funding for deep tech scale-ups; (2) enabling deep tech innovation through experimentation spaces and public procurement; (3) accelerating and strengthening innovation in European Innovation Ecosystems across the EU and addressing the innovation divide; (4) fostering, attracting and retaining deep tech talents; and (5) improving policy making tools.
The policy summary is available HERE
For full document refer to the following link - European Commission. (2022). Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: A New European Innovation Agenda COM (2022) 332 final
The Commission Communication titled "A European Strategy for Universities" outlines the goals for creating outstanding and inclusive universities that are capable of fostering skills, knowledge, and innovation while addressing societal challenges. The Communication aims to establish (1) a new framework to enhance the European dimension in higher education and research, (2) support the unique characteristics of the higher education sector in Europe as part of the European way of life, focusing on i. quality and relevance for future-proof skills, ii. diversity and inclusion, and iii. the promotion of democratic practices, (3) empower universities to act as agents of change in the dual green and digital transitions, and (4) strengthen universities as key players in advancing the EU’s global influence and leadership.
The policy summary is available HERE
For full document refer to the following link - European Commission. (2022). Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on a European strategy for universities COM (2022) 16 final
The attraction of skills and talent to the EU from the countries around the world remains one of the challenges for internal labour market functioning and for maintaining the EU´s global competitiveness. The Commission Communication recognises that in order to mitigate labour shortages and address existing demographic challenges related to the shrinking working-age population as well as the occupational shortages in specific sectors and regions, the EU-level and Member State action needs to go beyond the mobilisation of the domestic workforce and/or facilitation of intra-EU mobility. Moreover, the Communication highlights that the EU faces challenges in attracting skills and talent that would keep up with digital and green transition the EU set to achieve. On this basis, the Communication introduces policy measures organised under three pillars that aim for building a sustainable EU policy on legal migration that would respond to the aforementioned challenges and contribute to keeping the EU globally competitive in terms of attraction and retention of talents.
The policy summary is available HERE
For full document refer to the following link - European Commission. (2022). Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: Attracting skills and talent to the EU COM (2022) 657 final
The Commission Communication on skills and talent mobility identifies challenges in the EU research and innovation policy on the matters of stepping up the attractiveness of the ERA for global talent and skills. It recognises the value added by third country workers for addressing labour and skills shortages and driving innovations and technological progress calling for the facilitation of the recruitment of third country nationals at all skills levels. The EU-level tools and inititatives that the Communication promotes are set to help Member States compete in the global race for talent.
The policy summary is available HERE
For full document refer to the following link - European Commission. (2023). Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on Skills and Talent Mobility COM (2023) 715 final
The Skills and Talent Package is comprised from the following initiatives:
- The EU Talent Pool
- Recommendation on the recognition of qualifications of third-country nationals
- ‘Europe on the Move’ – learning mobility opportunities for everyone
The Commission's proposal introduces the EU Talent Pool, an initiative aimed at facilitating job opportunities obtention in ERA countries for third-country nationals and providing clear information on immigration, employment, and qualifications rules to both job seekers and employers. The EU Talent Pool is designed to make ERA countries more attractive to foreign workers and enhance cooperation on labor migration with third countries by implementing job placements within Talent Partnerships, taking into account their concerns and labor market needs. The goal of the proposal is to provide a comprehensive overview of the key features of the new online platform and explain the benefits it offers in terms of attracting and retaining research talents to ERA countries.
The summary of the legal document is available HERE
For full document refer to the following link - European Commission. (2023). Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing an EU talent pool COM (2023) 716 final
This Recommendation provides guidance on streamlining and accelerating the recognition of skills and qualifications of third-country nationals by Member States. The goal is to enhance the attractiveness of the Union's labor market for these individuals and to support their integration into the workforce in alignment with the requirements of the Union's economy and society. It highlights that the processes for recognizing the skills and qualifications of third-country nationals should be integrated into comprehensive, "wholeof-government" strategies that encompass upskilling and reskilling initiatives, labor market activation, mobility within the Union, working conditions, and efforts to attract talent from outside the Union.
The policy summary is available HERE
For full document refer to the following link - European Commission. (2023). Commission recommendation on the recognition of qualifications of third-country nationals COM (2023) 7700 final
The proposed recommendation revises the 2011 Council Recommendation titled "Youth on the Move," which aimed to encourage the learning mobility of young individuals. This updated framework broadens its focus to include learners of all ages, as well as educators and staff. Additionally, the recommendation responds to emerging learning trends, such as the increased use of digital learning tools, blended learning approaches, and the promotion of more sustainable mobility practices.
The policy summary is available HERE
For full document refer to the following link - European Commission. (2023). Proposal for a Council recommendation: ‘Europe on the Move’ – learning mobility opportunities for everyone COM (2023) 719 final
Policies adopted by the Council of the European Union
Here you can find summaries of most relevant policies regarding the strategies of attracting and retaining talents to the European Research Area adopted by the Council of the European Union.
On 1 December 2020, the Council adopted conclusions that define goals of the “New ERA“, ERA action priorities and specify the next steps that the Commission and the Member States shall make to develop in 2021 an ERA policy agenda and a multi-level governance model to deliver on the “New ERA”.
The policy summary is available HERE
For full document refer to the following link: Council of the European Union. (2020, December 1). Council conclusions on the New European Research Area (13567/20, RECH 483, COMPET 611). General Secretariat of the Council.
The the 2022-2024 ERA Policy Agenda (hereinafter: Agenda) specifies the list of voluntary actions for the period 2022-2024 that shall contribute to the priority areas defined in the Council Recommendation on the Pact for Research and Innovation in Europe. To this end, it sets out relevant action concerning: (1) the deepening a truly functioning internal market for knowledge; (2) taking up together the challenges posed by the twin green and digital transition, and increasing societies participation in the ERA; (3) amplifying access to research and innovation excellence across the Union; and (4) advancing concerted research an innovation investments and reforms.
The policy summary is available HERE
For full document refer to the following link: Council of the European Union. (2021, November 19). Conclusions on the future governance of the European Research Area (ERA) (14126/21).
The Pact defines a common set of values and principles for researchers, research processes and research and innovation systems. The Pact also sets out the priority areas for joint action in support of ERA, calls for prioritizing of investments and reforms and outlines the monitoring and policy coordination mechanism for making ERA priorities a reality.
The policy summary is available HERE
For full document refer to the following link - Council of the European Union. (2021, November 26). Council recommendation (EU) 2021/2122 on a Pact for Research and Innovation in Europe. Official Journal of the European Union, L 431.
The Council conclusions highlight the need for a comprehensive revision of the future governance of the ERA. The conclusions specify that the new ERA shall be based on the revised framework shaped by the Pact for Research & Innovation in Europe and the ERA Policy Agenda (attached in annex of the Council conclusions). The conclusions furhter specify the role of and actions needed in relation to the European Research Area and Innovation Committee as well as the ERA Forum.
The policy summary is available HERE
For full document refer to the following link: Council of the European Union. (2021, November 19). Conclusions on the future governance of the European Research Area (ERA) (14126/21).
On May 28, 2021, the Council adopted Conclusions on deepening the European Research Area (ERA), emphasizing the need for more coordinated action to develop an internal market for researchers with the free movement of research talents, knowledge, and technology. Through these Conclusions, the Council highlighted the significance of a balanced flow of researchers, acknowledging that brain circulation relies on appropriate framework conditions and interoperable, attractive research careers.
The policy summary is available HERE
For full document refer to the following link: Council of the European Union. (2021, May 28). Deepening the European Research Area: Providing researchers with attractive and sustainable careers and working conditions and making brain circulation a reality - Council conclusions (9009/21).
The Council Recommendation redefines knowledge valorisation as a significant shift away from the traditional concept of knowledge transfer. It emphasizes that the growing emphasis on knowledge valorisation, in light of the evolving research and innovation (R&I) ecosystem, necessitates an expansion of the scope of the Commission Recommendation from April 10, 2008, regarding the management of intellectual property in knowledge transfer activities (referred to as Recommendation 2008/416/EC). This new Council Recommendation supersedes Recommendation 2008/416/EC by addressing the entire R&I ecosystem and its increasingly varied participants. Additionally, it outlines the guiding principles for effective knowledge valorisation.
The policy summary is available HERE
For full document refer to the following link: Council of the European Union. (2022, December 2). Council Recommendation on the guiding principles for knowledge valorisation. Official Journal of the European Union, L 317, 141-148.
The recommendation focuses on keeping skilled researchers within the European Union while also positioning Europe as a desirable location for research talent globally. It redefines the term 'researcher' and elaborates on the various activities they engage in, ensuring a broad spectrum of career possibilities is included. The initiative aims to encourage cross-sector and interdisciplinary careers, as well as entrepreneurship and innovation, by recognizing the importance of diverse career trajectories for researchers, which may include academia, industry, public service, and the non-profit sector.
The policy summary is available HERE
For full document refer to the following link: Council of the European Union. (2023, December 13). Council recommendation on a European framework to attract and retain research, innovation and entrepreneurial talents in Europe.