A study in the Journal of European Planning Studies has shed light on the growing integration between EU countries on research networks. The study analysed the first four years of Horizon 2020 as well as its two predecessor programmes, the Sixth and Seventh Framework Programme. The findings suggest that EU-15 (older EU members) and EU-13 (newer EU members) have increased collaboration, with specific organisations fulfilling a ‘bridging function’. Nevertheless, EU-13 countries continue to be much more engaged in research activities within the programmes that are considered less complex. The study will likely boost views that the future framework programme Horizon Europe should play a greater role in encouraging cross-border collaboration and in bridging the innovation and research gap between EU member states. You can access the study online here.