The Directorate-General for Research and Innovation is the European Commission department responsible for European Union policy on research, science and innovation. Its mandate is to help create growth and jobs while addressing major societal challenges. The department develops and implements the Commission’s policies on research and innovation, and it oversees Horizon Europe and European Union Missions.
The Directorate-General supports the Commission’s priorities 2024-2029 by funding and promoting new knowledge and breakthrough innovation, while helping drive the green and digital transformations underway across society. It is also leading the Commission’s work on an European Union start-up and scale-up strategy designed to improve framework conditions for start-ups and scale-ups. Additional priorities include expanding the European Research Area, developing a long-term strategy to strengthen European Research Infrastructure, and studying the role of Artificial Intelligence in European research.
The department also coordinates numerous projects, supports the dissemination and exploitation of results, and works with industry and European Union countries on shared research topics and events. Leadership includes Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva, Director-General Marc Lemaître, and Deputy Directors-General Joanna Drake and Maria Cristina Russo. An organisation chart dated 13 FEBRUARY 2026 is available in English and French.
Transparency measures include the publication of information on and minutes of meetings held by management-level staff with interest representatives. Contact details list the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation through the Commission switchboard and the postal address in Brussels. The department also maintains social media channels linked to European Union science, innovation, Horizon Europe, and Horizon Magazine.
Planning and accountability documents include the Commission work programme, which sets out a plan of action for the next 12 months, along with strategic plans, management plans, and annual activity reports. Related links connect the department to agencies and bodies focused on research, innovation, climate, health, and small and medium-sized enterprises. Recent updates highlighted on the page include a 19 March 2026 press release on €330 million for fusion energy and nuclear technologies and skills, an 18 March 2026 proposal for EU Inc., and a 16 March 2026 webinar on Horizon Europe 2026-2027 cooperation calls with Greenland.
