06/01/2026 (Agence Europe) – On Monday, 5 January, the European Commission officially launched a call for applications in order to select members of an informal Commission expert group on European Union research and innovation (R&I) for the automotive sector (EURIAS). This expert group will be expected to advise the European Commission on the preparation of future policy initiatives and instruments (see EUROPE 13774/13), notably helping it identify the most relevant areas for R&I that will likely strengthen the European automotive sector’s competitiveness. The expert group will be comprised of around fifty members from EU organisations connected with the European automotive sector—these can be automotive equipment manufacturers and industry suppliers as well as universities, research bodies, and civil society organisations. The call for applications will remain open until Monday, 2 February. For more information: https://aeur.eu/f/k6b (AD)