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The Joint Research Centre: EU Science Hub

JRC mission statement & work programme

Joint Research Centre

The JRC provides independent, evidence-based knowledge and science, supporting EU policies to positively impact society.

We do science for policy

When policymakers create laws that affect millions of Europeans, how can they be confident that these laws will help people live better and safely? What source of information can they rely on? Who can they trust?

Scientists of the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) carry out research in various fields to provide independent advice to EU policymakers and put science at the heart of European policies.

We are working every day to make European policies grounded in science.

A trusted partner for policymakers

As a department of the European Commission, we play a key role at multiple stages of the policy cycle. We work closely with other Commission departments, EU institutions and agencies, as well as with scientific partners and policy organisations in Europe and internationally. We offer scientific expertise and competences from a very wide range of scientific disciplines in support of almost all EU policy areas.

  • JRC Anticipate
    Anticipate

    Looking ahead and seeing more clearly what’s coming to us to be better prepared and react more efficiently to new challenges.

  • JRC integrate
    Integrate

    Connecting the dots and disentangling cross-overs thanks to multi-disciplinary and analytical capability.

  • JRC impact
    Impact

    Measuring the impact of EU policies, supporting the design and monitoring of policies and performance indicators.

What we offer

  • Scientific excellence: high-quality research accompanied by high standards of scientific integrity and transparency.
  • Anticipation of new challenges and opportunities to prepare policymakers for the complex and interlinked challenges faced by society.
  • Capacity to map, review, analyse and synthesise the best available evidence in support of EU policies.
  • 15 MAY 2024
The JRC at a glance

JRC strategy

Our revitalised Strategy 2030 aims to bring added value through our work. We work to anticipate what will be important for EU policies. We integrate science and knowledge into legislation. Our work intends to have positive impact for people in Europe (and beyond).

Cover: Revitalising the JRC Strategy 2030
  • General publications
  • 11 January 2023
Revitalising the JRC Strategy 2030

In this revitalised Strategy 2030, we have sought to reset, re-imagine and re-energise the JRC with a value proposition rooted in anticipation, integration and impact. We offer expanded foresight capacities, a more systemic approach in the frame of cross-cutting portfolios, and support to policymakers to maximise and measure impact. In the spirit of trust, collaboration and transparency, we signal our increased openness to engaging with partners to put science at the service of the European project.

  • 14 DECEMBER 2022
JRC strategy 2030

JRC work programme

In our JRC 2023–2024 work programme we support

  • the Commission’s political priorities
  • many initiatives of the Commission 2023 work programme
  • implementation of the Horizon Europe and Euratom research and training programme

Cross cutting portfolios

Our 33 portfolios are the main building blocks of our 2023–2024 work programme. They allow us to better integrate our work across scientific and policy domains. The portfolios help us to maximise support for

  • anticipating new challenges
  • developing policies
  • monitoring their implementation and impact
Front cover of the JRC work programme 2023-2024 brochure
  • General publications
  • 6 March 2023
JRC work programme 2023-2024: Brochure

Information about the JRC work programme 2023-24 and the position of portfolios within the structure of the programme. The brochure includes information on the work and objectives of the 33 individual portfolios. 

JRC Highlights Report 2024