The road to success: how regional innovation ecosystems can improve participation in the European Framework programme for R&I

This paper investigates the drivers of success at regional level in participating in EU-funded Research and Innovation (R&I) projects. We use multiple linear and fractional probit regressions to assess the importance of regional research capacities and assets, as well as intrinsic characteristics of the regions in defining success and participation in the European R&I Framework Programme. We find that a critical mass of factors such as size, economic development, R&D investments, human resources, and research quality is vital. Quality of research outputs matters more than quantity, particularly in projects targeting societal challenges, while quality of patenting activity matters more than quantity, particularly in projects targeting industrial objectives. Less-developed regions benefit from improved institutions, while advanced regions gain from increased R&D and human resources investments. These insights are then used to provide recommendations on how regions can improve their capacity to participate in and benefit from future government R&I funding programmes, distinguishing between more and less advanced regional innovation ecosystems.