The proposed project, in line with PRIME objectives, acknowledges the new challenges (economic, social and ethical) posed by a changing scientific landscape in Europe, characterised by increasing globalisation of research, by the emergence of new search regimes and by changes in knowledge production and circulation.

In particular, the project acknowledges key challenges for policy intervention, particularly in relation to relevant levels of policy intervention, and the emergence of new actors and new multi-scalar governance structures. Regions emerge as key spaces for the coordination of knowledge and as key actors for the governance of science and technology.

The project will therefore explore this important area within a set of selected key themes:

1. The importance of regional space / key concepts

2. Regions as multi-actor spaces/ Regional governance

3. New challenges for research and innovation policy

4. Review of regional experiences