London, 5 June 2026 – Representatives from eleven Horizon Europe projects came together during EULAR 2026 for the latest REACT Consortia Network Meeting, a collaborative initiative dedicated to strengthening the impact of European rheumatology and immunology research beyond academia.
Hosted by Loreto Carmona (INMUSC), the meeting focused on a shared challenge facing many research consortia: how to ensure that scientific discoveries translate into meaningful policy action and ultimately improve healthcare for people living with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases.
Speaking Two Different Languages
The meeting opened with the idea that science and policymaking often operate like two different "countries", each with its own language, priorities and ways of working. While researchers are driven by discovery, evidence and scientific rigour, policymakers must balance societal needs, political priorities and practical implementation.
Recognising these differences is the first step towards more effective communication. Rather than waiting until the end of a project, participants agreed that policymakers should be engaged throughout the research process, enabling evidence to inform policy as it emerges.
Understanding the Current Landscape
To better understand how Horizon Europe projects currently engage with decision-makers, Loreto Carmona presented the results of a survey involving the REACT consortia.
The survey revealed that most existing policy contacts have been established through personal or professional networks, highlighting the importance of relationships in successful policy engagement. While collaboration with regulatory authorities is relatively well developed, engagement with national governments, regional authorities and members of parliament remains considerably more limited.
Participants also identified several common challenges, including:
- identifying the right contact person within institutions;
- building trusted relationships with policymakers;
- translating complex scientific findings into clear, accessible and policy-relevant messages.
The survey also highlighted examples of successful engagement. Some projects included a regulatory authority directly within its consortium, while some others received broader visibility through a feature in the European Commission's Horizon Magazine, demonstrating how strategic communication can extend the reach of research outcomes.
Learning How to Engage European Policymakers
A keynote presentation by Alexandra Sharma, Policy Officer at EULAR, provided practical guidance on navigating the European policy landscape.
Participants learned that successful engagement begins by understanding the priorities of different institutions. Local representations of the European Commission can help identify regional success stories with European relevance, while Members of the European Parliament are particularly interested in evidence that demonstrates tangible benefits for their constituents.
Researchers were also encouraged to make greater use of opportunities offered by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), including Academia Briefing Meetings and the Innovation Task Force, which enable early dialogue on innovative medicines and emerging scientific developments.
A recurring message throughout the presentation was the importance of framing research within broader European priorities, such as the European Health Data Space, the revision of the EU Pharmaceutical Legislation, and future research and innovation priorities.
Patients as Partners, Not Participants
Another highlight of the meeting was the presentation by Katy Antonopoulou, President of Sjögren Europe and representative of both the MDR-RA and SQUEEZE projects.
She emphasised that patient organisations are uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between research and policymaking. By bringing lived experience into discussions, patient advocates help demonstrate the real-world value of scientific research in ways that resonate strongly with policymakers.
Importantly, participants agreed that meaningful patient involvement must extend beyond consultation. Patient representatives should be recognised as equal partners throughout the research lifecycle—from defining research priorities and participating in governance structures to contributing to dissemination activities and scientific publications.
The discussion also highlighted the need for projects to allocate appropriate resources for patient engagement, including dedicated funding for participation, travel and collaborative activities.
Recognising Impact Beyond Scientific Publications
During the open discussion, participants reflected on the challenge of demonstrating impact while projects are still underway.
Research often progresses incrementally, making it difficult to communicate achievements before final results become available. However, several examples showed that even relatively small project outputs can create significant real-world change.
One example discussed was the development of a patient-endorsed biopsy information leaflet that has already influenced clinical practice in Greece. Although modest compared to major scientific publications, such outputs illustrate how research can improve healthcare delivery and patient experience long before a project's conclusion.
Participants also highlighted the important role of European Commission Project Officers, noting that strong working relationships can facilitate valuable connections with relevant Directorates-General and support wider policy engagement.
Looking Ahead
The REACT network agreed on several priorities for the coming months.
Consortia will work together to collect compelling examples of research impact that demonstrate the societal return on European investment in rheumatology research. These examples will help inform discussions around future European research programmes.
The network also plans to organise a public event showcasing the collective achievements of participating projects and to develop practical training opportunities that strengthen researchers' skills in science communication and policy engagement.
By combining scientific excellence with effective communication, meaningful patient involvement and stronger engagement with policymakers, the REACT network aims to ensure that European research not only advances knowledge but also contributes directly to better health policies and improved care for patients across Europe.
