As Denmark prepares to assume the EU presidency on July 1st, concerns are being raised about the government’s apparent neglect of research as a key priority. Despite the emphasis on competitiveness and innovation in the government’s agenda, the allocation of resources and focus on research, particularly basic research, seems insufficient to address the EU’s declining position in the global research landscape.

The authors suggest several key actions for the Danish EU presidency to consider. First, they urge the Danish government to ensure that each EU member state presents a clear plan by the end of the year outlining how they intend to meet the EU’s target of investing at least 1.25 percent of their GDP in publicly funded research.

Second, the Danish EU presidency is encouraged to seize the opportunity presented by the weakening of universities and basic research in the United States to strengthen research within the EU. The European Commission has already allocated funds to support American researchers relocating to Europe. A comprehensive plan to establish Europe as a leading research hub, supported by substantial funding, is essential. It’s crucial to ensure that the recruitment of American researchers doesn’t negatively impact the career prospects of European researchers.

Third, the Danish EU presidency should reassess the EU’s relationship with China regarding research collaborations. Concerns about security should not impede EU research. It is important to develop clear guidelines for research collaboration with China to prevent hindering basic research.

The EU’s investment in research is lagging behind other global powers. In 2023, the EU invested only 2.2 percent of its GDP in total public and private research, placing it behind the USA, China, Japan, and South Korea. Within the Danish government’s program for the EU presidency, the word “competitiveness” is mentioned 45 times, while “research” appears only eight times, and “basic research” is not mentioned at all. Innovation and research are interdependent, and basic research is crucial for driving innovation.

The EU’s share of basic research in the world has decreased from 24 percent to 18 percent in the past decade. The European Commission has set a goal for all member states to increase their public research expenditure to 1.25 percent of GDP by 2030. Denmark’s current investment in publicly funded research is slightly above one percent of GDP.