European universities stand among the world’s best. Our cooperation to advance the impact of research and innovation for the benefit of our societies and citizens stretches back hundreds of years. It reflects common European values that are broader than any nation or community. 

Our research and innovation benefits citizens and helps solve some of the world’s greatest challenges. Today, such research cooperation between European universities is more vital than ever, because of the urgency of the global challenges including climate change and the sharpness of emerging geopolitical tensions. 

The leaders of twenty-three globally leading research universities across the continent of Europe come together in this statement to articulate the power and urgency of collaboration. 

As the League of European Research Universities (LERU), we call upon European institutions, national governments and research funders to come together to support research and innovation in European universities, linking us together in a common mission to benefit people across the world. 

A vital first step in this support is the full association of Switzerland and the United Kingdom, as well as other like-minded and innovative non-EU nations, to the European framework program for research & innovation, Horizon Europe, as an utmost priority.