Research & Innovation for a Competitive Europe

The ERC is organising an event on Europe’s competitiveness with a focus on cutting-edge science and innovation at the heart of Brussels on 10 April 2025 at 16.30-18.00. Leading figures from industry, research and policy-making will engage in a dialogue on enhancing Europe's competitiveness through cutting-edge science and innovation.

This is a live-streamed (see below) and in person event. Seats are limited.

Speakers will address the challenges posed by the evolving global economy in a changing world, and discuss strategies to bolster Europe's competitiveness. They will comment on the Mario Draghi report and other recent policy documents. Discussions will explore the role of fundamental research in driving economic growth, as well as the policies and measures necessary to create an environment where scientists and innovators can thrive. This event will build on a closed expert workshop on the same theme.

With: 

Ben Feringa, Nobel Prize laureate in Chemistry; ERC Grantee

Robbert Dijkgraaf, Former Minister of Education, Culture and Science (NL); former Director of the Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton; Professor, University of Amsterdam; President-elect, the International Science Council (ISC)

Jean-François van Boxmeer, European Roundtable of Industry (ERT), Chair

Lina Galvez, Member of the European Parliament

Markus Schindler, Novo Nordisk, Executive Vice-President, Chief Scientific Officer

Jeremy O’Brien, PsiQuantum, CEO/Co-Founder; ERC grantee

Susanne Beckers, SAP SE, AI Strategy Director

Luis Serrano Pubul, Center for Genomic Regulation (CRG) Barcelona, Director; ERC grantee

Maria Leptin, ERC President

Programme

• Welcome - Maria Leptin
• Introductory remarks - Lina Galvez
• "The Art of Building Small: From nano Discoveries to creating New Markets" - Ben Feringa
• Summary of preceding workshop - Robbert Dijkgraaf
• Panel debate: “Europe’s Competitive Edge: Pathways to Progress" - Jean-Francois van Boxmeer, Markus Schindler, Jeremy O’Brien, Luis Serrano Pubul, Susanne Beckers
  Moderator: Robbert Dijkgraaf
  Leaders from industry and science will explore Europe's competitive edge and deliver actionable insights. With perspectives spanning major companies to innovative start-ups, across fields such as AI, quantum computing and medicine, alongside pioneering academic research, the discussion will analyse challenges and propose solutions to drive innovation and growth.
• Q&A
• Conclusions - Robbert Dijkgraaf    
• Closing remarks - Maria Leptin               

The public event is open to the media. For inquiries, please contact: ERC-PRESS@ec.europa.eu