The effects of European R&D policy on

Territorial cohesion The effects of European R&D policy on territorial cohesion Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share on LinkedIn Compartment in Google Plus By Tania Fernández García and Fernando Rubiera Morollón -Chair for Innovation Analysis at the University of Oviedo and Regional Economic Analysis Most economic growth models, starting with the neoclassical model of Robert Solow  have highlighted the relevant role that investment in research and development (R&D) plays in the growth of territories. Based on this, the European Union (EU) has substantially increased its investment effort in Research and Development .With the aim of increasing the productivity and competitiveness of European economies, as well as promoting the growth and convergence of the countries and regions of the Union.

The latest EU R&D framework programmes

Particularly “Horizon and “Horizon Europe”, have significantly increased the resources available to promote scientific research and innovation in Europe. In the attached graph you can see the continued increase in funds dedicated to R&D in the EU both in terms of total investment in R&D, measured as a % of the Gross Domestic Product . This extraordinary investment effort in R&D should have contributed  Japan Phone Number Data significantly to technological development and the promotion of the scientific capacity of the territories, but, in addition, based on neoclassical economic models, it should have promoted the growth and convergence of the regions. European. However, in the EU there is strong competitiveness among research teams and the search for excellence prevails, which has resulted in a concentration of resources allocated to R&D in the most advanced regions, which are those with a greater scientific and technological development and those that, therefore, have greater capacity to capture and efficiently use investments.

The attached map shows that

There is a significant concentration of resources for science and innovation in Central and Northern Europe. However, the peripheral regions of the South or  Italy Phone Number List East of the Union capture much lower amounts. This distribution of resources may be causing the EU’s innovation and growth policies. Far from contributing to convergence and reducing inequalities between territories, to be generating divergent dynamics. Geographic distribution of R&D investments. In an article recently published in the magazine of the Spanish  effort in R&D in the EU.  European innovation funds was particularly observed. The complete analysis is available on the magazine’s website.