This Week in Higher Ed — Brussels (#29, 2026)
Commission proposes Affordable Housing Act; new European Innovation Act targets R&D procurement, IP valuation; Public Procurement Act overhaul announced.
September 07, 2026 to September 13, 2026
Commission proposes Affordable Housing Act; new European Innovation Act targets R&D procurement, IP valuation; Public Procurement Act overhaul announced.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
European Commission
Commission proposes Affordable Housing Act to address housing pressures in cities and tourist areas
On 8 September 2026, the European Commission presented the Affordable Housing Act, aiming to support Member States and cities in tackling housing affordability and availability in areas facing the greatest pressure. The Act introduces a common European framework for assessing housing-related measures that may affect the Single Market, such as restrictions on short-term rentals, second homes, or prolonged vacancy. Local authorities retain decision-making powers; the Act is designed to provide legal clarity when acting in areas under housing stress, according to a methodology based on local evidence. The proposal is accompanied by a Recommendation on increasing housing supply and supports Housing Acceleration Plans. President Ursula von der Leyen, Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera, and Commissioner Dan Jørgensen commented on the new framework, which follows the 2025 State of the Union announcement and is part of the European Affordable Housing Plan.
Commission proposes new European Innovation Act to foster innovation and support R&D procurement
On 8 September 2026, the Commission proposed the European Innovation Act, a key initiative under the EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy and Competitiveness Compass. The Act addresses difficulties faced by innovative companies, including universities, in accessing finance and navigating different national rules. It establishes a common EU framework for valuing intellectual property and creates a digital marketplace for IP transactions. The proposal introduces a unified procedure for research and development procurement, aiming to provide legal certainty and facilitate joint cross-border R&D contracts. The Commission expects administrative cost savings of €35 million and an estimated €10.2 billion in additional annual financing through IP-backed instruments. Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva emphasised the goal of reducing fragmentation and supporting the scaling of European innovations.
Commission presents Q&A on the European Innovation Act and regulatory sandboxes
The Commission released detailed questions and answers on the European Innovation Act and a related proposal for a Council Recommendation on regulatory sandboxes. The Innovation Act aims to harmonise rules for R&D procurement and IP valuation, supporting universities and public research organisations in commercialising research. The proposed rules offer legal certainty for public buyers, set an EU preference for R&D contracts, and establish a Competence Centre at the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO). The regulatory sandbox proposal seeks to provide a consistent framework for controlled experimentation with innovative solutions, supporting the EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy while maintaining safeguards for fundamental rights.
Commission proposes Public Procurement Act to modernise EU procurement rules
On 8 September 2026, the Commission adopted a proposal for a new Public Procurement Regulation to simplify and update the EU's procurement framework. The proposed regulation consolidates three existing directives into a single, directly applicable instrument, reducing administrative burden and fragmentation. The framework introduces a digital procurement marketplace, streamlines procedures, and sets the Best Price-Quality Ratio as the standard award method, with quality criteria accounting for at least 30%. The proposal includes new provisions on security, resilience, and European preference in line with recommendations from the Draghi and Letta reports. The proposal will be negotiated by the European Parliament and Council.
Commission issues Q&A on the EU Public Procurement Act
The Commission published answers to common questions about the proposed Public Procurement Act. The Q&A details simplification measures, such as a single regulation replacing three directives, and the introduction of a Digital Marketplace to facilitate procurement across the Single Market. The Act sets minimum quality thresholds for award criteria, especially for labour-intensive contracts, and clarifies support for SMEs and innovation. It addresses the integration of environmental and social considerations and strengthens mechanisms for security and resilience in procurement. Provisions for European preference and anti-fraud safeguards are also described.
Commission presents Q&A on the Affordable Housing Act
A comprehensive Q&A was released alongside the Affordable Housing Act, explaining its objectives, methodology for identifying areas under housing stress, and the scope for local authorities to introduce targeted measures. The document clarifies that the Act does not harmonise national housing policy or grant new EU competences but aims to ensure Single Market compliance and legal certainty. The Act outlines requirements for evidence-based and proportionate intervention, particularly in relation to short-term rentals, second homes, and vacant dwellings. Transitional arrangements for existing measures are described, and the accompanying Recommendation encourages increased housing supply and accelerated construction.
Statement by Commissioner Lahbib on the International Day to Protect Education from Attack
On 7 September 2026, Commissioner Lahbib issued a statement ahead of the International Day to Protect Education from Attack, citing data from the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack. The statement noted over 8,500 attacks on education facilities, staff, and students in 2024–2025 across 28 conflict-affected countries. Commissioner Lahbib reiterated the EU’s support for education in humanitarian responses and called for the protection of schools and accountability for violations under international law.
What We're Reading This Week
- France's education system struggles to adapt to the challenges of AI: 'An immediate answer kills the desire to learn': French educators grapple with integrating AI in classrooms amid concerns over its impact on student curiosity and critical thinking skills.
