ALLEA Joins ERA Action 18 and SIMPLIFY Launch

Last week, ALLEA participated in the official launch of the European Research Area (ERA) Policy Action 18 on Research Ethics and Integrity and a preparatory meeting for the SIMPLIFY project. The event, hosted by the European Commission in Brussels, brought together key stakeholders and Member State representatives committed to strengthening ethical standards and integrity across the European research landscape.

ALLEA is proud to serve as a co-sponsor of ERA Policy Action 18, which focuses on reinforcing ethics and integrity frameworks across the European Research Area. The initiative is structured around four key objectives:

  • Connecting existing European networks and stakeholders in research ethics and integrity to build a sustainable community of practice.

  • Facilitating dialogue, training activities, mutual learning, and the exchange of good practices among research institutions, funders, policymakers, and professional communities.

  • Developing practical guidance, operational tools, and standard operating procedures, including the revision of ALLEA’s European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity.

  • Promoting a shared culture of ethics and integrity throughout the ERA.

The launch event successfully convened representatives from EU Member States, European organisations, and Horizon Europe projects. Discussions focused on concrete ways to strengthen ethical practices and integrity in research, both at institutional levels and in day-to-day research activities.

SIMPLIFY, a newly funded Horizon Europe project, marks an important step towards a more coordinated, resilient, and evidence-based approach to research ethics and integrity governance in Europe. The project aims to foster alignment across countries and institutions, supporting a shared European pathway in this critical area. ALLEA looks forward to working closely with project partners, including EUREC, ENRIO, ENAI, EARMA, and The Embassy of Good Science, in what promises to be a productive and collaborative initiative.

Through its involvement in both SIMPLIFY and ERA Action 18, ALLEA reaffirms its commitment to advancing responsible research and fostering trust in science across Europe.

Read more on ALLEA’s work in the field of Research Ethics and Integrity here.