European Commission DG Research and Innovation
2026
CSIL, Ecorys
Europe is one of the world's leading regions in research and technology – but many ideas never reach the market. Patents are used too rarely. Important standards are lacking. Universities and research institutions face structural hurdles when it comes to actually commercialising innovations.
The European Innovation Act aims to change this. The law creates a framework that facilitates innovation, promotes cooperation between science and industry, and opens up markets, capital, talent and infrastructure. It strengthens companies that advance new technologies and makes the EU internal market more attractive to entrepreneurs.
On behalf of the European Commission, Prognos, together with CSIL and Ecorys, were helping to develop a robust foundation for this law. The focus was on developing a comprehensive evidence base that assesses the impacts, costs and benefits of the proposed measures.
On 9 September 2026, the Commission presented the European Innovation Act.
The study covered all 27 EU Member States and followed the European Commission's Better Regulation Guidelines. It is divided into eight coordinated work packages:
Prognos was responsible in particular for work packages one and two. With the help of AI and human expertise, the team conducted a literature analysis (systematic review) of the individual problem areas and screened policy measures in the EU member states as well as the USA, Great Britain and Switzerland. In addition, the project team was involved in the development and refinement of policy options, their comparison, the final analyses and the preparation of the final report.
To the Staff Working Paper
Further information on the adaptation of the European Innovation Act
Further information on the European Commission website
Project team: Daniel Gehrt, Jakobus Kai Jaspersen, Isabel Caroline Schöfl, Dr Thomas Stehnken
Latest update: 10.09.2026
Principal
Senior Project Manager
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