European researchers

The digital euro has made its first appearance in wholesale financial markets, marking a step in the European Central Bank's push toward a central bank digital currency. The debut signals that the eurozone is moving beyond research stages and testing how a digital version of the currency could function for institutional financial transactions. Details on scale and participants remain limited, but the development is being closely watched as Europe weighs a broader rollout.

The European Commission has ordered Google to share anonymized search data, according to a MediaPost report dated July 20, 2026. The move fits the EU's ongoing scrutiny of Google's dominance in search and its efforts to give rivals and researchers access to data. Details of the decision's scope and Google's response are not yet available.

A new study finds that abortion laws across Europe are becoming more liberal, according to reporting by Euractiv. The finding points to a continued easing of restrictions on abortion access across European countries, contrasting with tightening rules in some other parts of the world. The research is likely to feed into ongoing political debates over reproductive rights within the European Union and beyond.

The Chips Joint Undertaking has opened calls worth €80 million to advance European AI computing capabilities. The funding aims to strengthen the EU's semiconductor and AI hardware base, supporting research and innovation in chips designed for artificial intelligence workloads as Europe seeks greater technological autonomy.

The Chips Joint Undertaking has launched funding worth €80 million to support the development of AI chips and compute systems in Europe. The call aims to strengthen European capabilities in semiconductor design and computing hardware for artificial intelligence, backing research and innovation projects across the bloc. The move is part of broader efforts to reduce reliance on foreign chip suppliers.

Researchers at the Centre for Economic Policy Research argue that the European Union's slow pace of innovation in frontier AI models leaves it exposed in cyber defence and undermines its goal of strategic autonomy. The piece warns that failing to innovate carries real security and economic costs, as the EU remains dependent on foreign technology in critical areas.

EU research ministers are urging Members of the European Parliament to allow dual-use research in the next Horizon Europe framework programme. The appeal means ministers want funding rules to cover research with both civilian and military applications, a shift from the current civilian-focused scope of the EU research programme as negotiations over the next framework advance.

Fortune reports that American scientists are increasingly looking abroad, raising the question of whether European businesses can benefit by attracting research talent. The article points to growing interest among US researchers in opportunities overseas, and asks whether Europe's companies and institutions are positioned to take advantage of this potential brain drain from the United States.

The European research project Q-VERSE started in September with the goal of building a software stack for quantum computers that supports multiple hardware platforms. The initiative, reported by Linux Magazine, aims to give Europe an independent, platform-agnostic software foundation for quantum computing, an area currently dominated by vendors tied to specific machines.

Improved DNA detection methods are said to be creating a harder scientific question rather than simply solving existing ones. The claim, reported by European Scientist, suggests that as technology identifies smaller traces of genetic material, researchers face new challenges interpreting what those findings mean. Details of the specific methods or questions involved were not provided.

New figures from the European Commission show that 5% of Europeans consumed alcohol every day in 2025. The statistic highlights that despite overall declines in drinking across much of the continent, a small but notable share of the population still drinks daily, a pattern linked in public health research to higher risks of liver disease, cancer and other harms. Health advocates are likely to use the data in ongoing debates over alcohol pricing, advertising and labelling rules across EU member states.

French research institute CEA-Leti and quantum computing startup Quobly have announced an expanded collaboration aimed at accelerating the development of next-generation silicon-based quantum technologies. The partnership builds on their existing work and focuses on advancing silicon qubit technology as a route toward scalable quantum computing. Details of the agreement, including financial terms and specific milestones, have not been disclosed in initial reports.

The European Central Bank has issued a call for papers for a research conference titled 'China Shock 2.0: Causes, Consequences, and Policy Responses'. The initiative invites academic work examining how the new wave of Chinese industrial and export competition is affecting economies, and what policy measures might address it. It follows the original 'China shock' research on the impact of Chinese imports on Western manufacturing jobs.

A delegation of ministers and secretaries of state from several countries visited the European Southern Observatory's headquarters in Germany. The visit was led by German Federal Minister of Research, Technology and Space Dorothee Bär, and the group was welcomed by ESO Director General Andreas Kaufer. Such visits typically highlight international cooperation in astronomy and research policy.

Starlab, the planned commercial space station being developed by Voyager Space and Airbus, is being discussed as a possible answer to Europe's orbital ambitions once the International Space Station is retired around 2030. The question being raised is whether the station can give European astronauts and researchers continued access to low Earth orbit, and whether Europe should commit to the project or pursue other options.

Denmark has raised its threat assessment for destructive cyberattacks, citing escalating Russian hybrid warfare against European nations. The updated warning reflects concern that Russia is using cyber operations to pressure countries supporting Ukraine, with critical infrastructure seen as a primary target. Security researchers say the risk extends across Europe as tensions continue to rise.

The EU Chips Joint Undertaking has issued two calls for projects focused on developing AI hardware, aiming to boost European chip capabilities for artificial intelligence workloads. The move follows increased EU efforts to strengthen its semiconductor industry and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers, with funding directed at research and development of next-generation AI chips.

A group of European researchers has published proposals for reforming EU innovation policy in the journal Science. The paper outlines recommendations aimed at strengthening Europe's capacity to translate research into innovation, amid ongoing debate about the continent's competitiveness with the US and China. The article was released via EurekAlert!, though further details of the specific reforms remain limited.

The European Union Drugs Agency has convened a discussion focused on the relationship between cannabis use and mental health. The meeting brings the agency's work on drug trends into contact with growing policy debates across Europe over cannabis regulation, as several countries reconsider their laws and researchers continue to weigh potential mental health risks. Details of participants and outcomes were not immediately available.

Norwegian research institute Simula has been named to lead software testing and integration work for a European Union quantum computing project. The role places Simula at the centre of Europe's effort to build a reliable quantum software stack, ensuring components from different partners work together. The announcement highlights the EU's continued investment in quantum technology research.