Europe produces the world’s second-largest share of scientific research, but the European Union does not consistently turn that work into faster productivity or market leadership. The European Commission set out the gap in its 2026 Science, Research and Innovation Performance report, released October 1.
The report describes strong public research institutions and an open-science model, alongside fragmented systems and a lack of investment. Research funding and expertise are spread across countries and regions. The Commission argues that results move too slowly from laboratories into products and services.
The report is a policy assessment, not a new experiment. It combines indicators with analysis of the EU research system and recommends stronger links between public research, companies and users. It also calls for more public funding that can attract private investment and for better use of regional research capacity.
The distinction between producing research and scaling it matters for the EU’s position in technology. A strong paper count does not by itself create manufacturing capacity, a widely used tool or a globally competitive company. The report says Europe needs both the research base and institutions that help ideas travel.
The Commission publishes the assessment every two years. Its recommendations do not guarantee new spending or policy changes. They describe the barriers the Commission sees and the direction it wants member states to take.
