On September 10, 2025 has UAP Coalition Netherlands feedback submitted to the European Commission for the European Research Area (ERA) Act. This legislative initiative should ensure a resilient and inclusive European Research Area.
Our contribution focuses on a fundamental problem: stigma as a systemic barrier. This stigma discourages researchers in fields like UAP from applying for funding and hinders access to essential research infrastructures.
Our feedback, supported by 24 scientists, researchers and organizations, contains the following concrete proposals to the European Commission:
- Promoting curiosity: Encouraging open and unbiased research.
- Anti-stigma guidelines: Development of frameworks for assessors and funders.
- Support for exploratory research: Creating space for controversial or marginalized fields.
- Inclusive networks: Stimulating interdisciplinary collaboration.
- Fair access: Ensuring access to infrastructures, regardless of the research domain.
We call on the EU institutions to explicitly address stigma in the ERA Act, so that Europe remains a leader in groundbreaking innovation and scientific advancement.
The number of signatories has now grown to 36 (reference date January 30, 2026)
