Research and Innovation Collaboration Networks across EU Regions over 2014-2020

Co-patents data show that Research and Innovation (R&I) collaborations are fragmented nationally and with a strong cross-border effect in the EU. The two main EU R&I policies (Framework Programme and Interreg Europe Programme) help overcoming these effects by steering R&I collaborations across Europe. Additionally, the two EU R&I policies seem to display some synergies: participation in Interreg 2014-2020 Europe Programme is positively correlated with participation in Horizon 2020 (H2020). Finally, being well-positioned in the network of R&I collaborations created through the Framework Programme has a positive impact on the patenting activity of EU regions.