What: EU commits €500m to attract international researchers amid global competition for talent and innovation.

Why it is important: The initiative could accelerate retail innovation in Europe by attracting top talent in AI, digital transformation, and sustainable retail solutions.

The European Commission's €500m investment to attract international researchers marks a significant shift in global innovation dynamics. This "Choose Europe for Science" initiative, announced by Ursula Von Der Leyen in Paris, aims to establish Europe as a premier destination for research talent through 2027. The programme emerges as US research faces increasing restrictions and funding cuts in areas like climate change and technology. The EU's commitment extends beyond this immediate funding, with plans to invest 3% of GDP in research and development by 2030, up from the current 2.22%. A new European Innovation Act and Startup/Scaleup Strategy will streamline the transformation of research projects into businesses, removing regulatory barriers and improving access to venture capital funding. This comprehensive approach aligns with broader EU initiatives, including a €200bn investment in AI infrastructure and innovation hubs.

IADS Notes: Recent developments underscore the retail sector's potential to benefit from this research initiative. In February 2025, the EU launched a €200bn InvestAI programme, including funding for AI gigafactories, while June 2024 data showed retail leading other sectors in AI deployment and revenue growth. The initiative complements existing retail innovation trends, with October 2024 seeing the launch of tech-driven retail concepts like Future Stores in London, demonstrating €20 million investments in immersive shopping experiences. This confluence of research funding and retail innovation suggests a transformative period for European retail, particularly in AI implementation and customer experience enhancement.

EU unlocks €500m to become a “magnet for researchers”