International Dimension of research collaboration

Grand challenges, such as global warming or chronic and infectious diseases, are increasingly global and complex. Solving these challenges often requires international research collaboration. The European Commission is playing an increasing role in supporting research and innovation through Horizon 2020, the European Union's comprehensive Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development.

This policy brief provides an overview of the main research priorities, the main collaborative efforts in international research collaboration regarding grand challenges, and summarises the outcomes of an expert and stakeholders' workshop conducted on the 3rd of April 2014. The brief is written to inform the European Research and Innovation Area Board regarding the state of research collaboration on grand challenges and what the EU could do to further improve research collaboration on these grand challenges.