09.06.2026

The Guild celebrates a decade of contribution to European higher education policy

University network releases ten-year anniversary publication

The Guild has released its anniversary publication, celebrating a decade of contribution to European research, innovation, and higher education policy. Founded in 2016 to strengthen universities’ collective voice in Brussels, The Guild has since become a recognised force in EU policymaking and a catalyst for deeper engagement within its member institutions. The Guild is a network comprising 23 leading research-intensive universities from across Europe, including the University of Tübingen. The partners aim to engage with policy makers, enhance public debate and collaborate with private and public institutions to solve global problems.

From the outset, The Guild brought together excellent universities from across Europe with a commitment to clear, cohesive, and credible advocacy. Over the past ten years, this approach has enabled the network to influence major EU programmes, including Horizon Europe and Erasmus+, champion academic freedom, and promote excellence, inclusiveness and equitable collaboration across the continent and beyond.

Key highlights:

• A strong and distinct voice in debates about Horizon Europe (Framework Programmes 9 and 10), including the defence of excellence and the integration of Social Sciences, Art, and Humanities (SSAH) – where appropriate also in close partnership with other networks
• Significant commitment to Erasmus+, from its operational design to its international dimension and the European Universities Initiative
• Prominent advocacy for academic freedom across Europe
• Recognised leadership in promoting excellence and inclusiveness within and beyond the EU
• Strong and persistent calls for strong association, most notably of Norway, Switzerland and the UK
• Strong and impactful advocacy on legislative areas beyond research and innovation, notably digital policy, artificial intelligence and health
• Strengthened engagement of member universities with EU programmes, reflected in increased Horizon Europe success
• A pioneering partnership with the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA), including the creation of long-term, challenge-led Africa-Europe research clusters
• A sector-leading role, together with ARUA, in shaping the AU-EU Innovation Agenda

As EU ambitions for Horizon Europe, Erasmus+ and global competitiveness continue to grow, The Guild’s role has become more important than ever. It provides a trusted platform for policy dialogue at a moment of rapid change and increasing global tensions.

Ten years on, The Guild stands as a testament to what universities can achieve together. The anniversary publication, titled “Reinforcing discovery, reimagining collaboration”, captures this journey and sets the stage for the next decade of collaboration, advocacy and impact.

After an article by The Guild

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