As Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation, Ekaterina Zaharieva is tasked with advancing the EU’s vision to place research, innovation, science, and technology at the heart of its economy. She works to promote investment and collaboration, creating an environment where researchers can thrive, acquire new skills, and drive the innovation necessary for the EU’s competitiveness, security, and sustainability objectives.

Her responsibilities include expanding both the European Innovation Council and the European Research Council, as well as proposing the European Research Area Act to ensure the free movement of researchers, scientific knowledge, and technology across member states. She is also developing a long-term strategy to strengthen European Research Infrastructure alongside a European Innovation Act aimed at streamlining regulations and improving access to venture capital. Supporting startups and scale-ups is a key priority, and she is creating a network of Trusted Investors to connect deep tech investors throughout Europe.

Additionally, she is preparing a new Strategy for European Life Sciences to unlock cutting-edge technologies and working on an Advanced Materials Act to support innovation from research through manufacturing and deployment. To boost European scientific progress, she is increasing the adoption of artificial intelligence and helping establish a European AI Research Council. Finally, she oversees the implementation and funding of EU research and innovation programs, including Horizon Europe and the EU Missions.