Promotion of freedom of scientific research in the EU

This European added value assessment (EAVA) seeks to inform the European Parliament's legislative initiative 2023/2184(INL) entitled 'Promotion of the freedom of scientific research in the EU'. Freedom of scientific research forms an integral part of academic freedom, and this study confirms the de facto erosion of academic freedom, including its underlying conditions, across the EU. It also identifies new forms of threat, such as the role of new technologies, use of strategic lawsuits, increasing private sector influence and vulnerability to foreign interference. The main challenges to protecting freedom of scientific research stem from the absence of a common understanding and a lack of systematic monitoring at EU level of threats to academic freedom. The study proposes three policy options to address the challenges: (1) boosting research and raising awareness; (2) monitoring academic freedom at EU level; (3) ensuring EU-level protection of the freedom of scientific research. The main added value of acting at EU level includes promoting the internal market for research, protecting freedom of scientific research more effectively, and generating efficiency gains through systematic monitoring and awareness raising.