20 years of LERU: Think tank for EU research policy

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Founded in 2002, the network is an association of 23 research-intensive European universities. LERU’s objective is to influence the shape of Europe’s higher education and research area so that it can offer universities optimal conditions for excellent research and teaching.

“We at LMU are proud to be a founding member of LERU, a network that has established itself over the past 20 years as an important advocate for leading research universities in Europe,” says Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Bernd Huber, LMU President, who was Chairman of LERU from 2008 to 2014. “Basic research is a central concern of LERU – also as a basis for future innovations. As part of this high-caliber international network, we will continue to advocate for the strengthening of excellent basic research in Europe.”

To mark its 20^th anniversary, the LERU network hosted an international conference at the University of Leiden on May 19 and 20, 2022 on the subject of “The distinctive role of academic institutions to foster resilient and sustainable societies.” The presidents of the member universities exchanged views on this subject with rectors of leading universities beyond Europe’s borders and high-ranking representatives of EU institutions.

Strengthening basic research in Europe

LERU maintains a dialogue and cooperates with the EU institutions and EU-related organizations active in the higher education and research arena on topics such as the European Research Area, Horizon Europe and the EU’s Erasmus+ exchange program.

In addition to engaging in direct communication and discussions with the relevant political bodies, LERU also regularly publishes position papers on fundamental issues of research policy and the improvement of Europe’s position as a hub of research.

For more information on LERU, click here: www.leru.org