People are pictured outside the European Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium June 14, 2017.

Research for EU and Brussels-based organisations

The challenging times Europe faces pose complex problems to policy-makers and stakeholders alike. At the same time, the trend towards austerity in all areas of public spending has brought with it a pressing need for smart governments and evidence-based policy decisions.

RAND Europe's distinctive set of research skills, multidisciplinary approach and more than 25 years of expertise in international policy analysis allows it to make efficient use of existing data and policy tools to optimise public policy planning. Our range of studies for EU institutions and other Brussels-based international organisations and foundations have included impact assessments, evaluations of institutions and policy initiatives, benchmarking exercises and foresight studies.

Through our office in Brussels, RAND Europe specialises in pan-European research and is dedicated to offering an evidence base for EU decision-making. This page highlights the work we have done and are currently conducting for our clients.

Current and Completed Research

  • Silhouette of helicopter with soldiers conducting rescue operation

    Collaborative investment in military multirole helicopters can save money

    22 Jul 2019

    Researchers identified four areas of potential savings that could result from cooperation among European Defence Agency member states in developing, acquiring, operating, and supporting light-weight and medium-weight multirole helicopter programmes.

  • Innovation and communication-focused society concept, photo by Hurca!/Adobe Stock

    How technology may change services sectors

    26 Jun 2019

    Researchers explored how 'game-changing' tech like robotics, autonomous transport, blockchain, virtual and augmented reality, and wearable devices will impact the EU's services sectors, and their wider socio-economic implications.

  • Tablet pc with healthcare mobile apps, and medical objects on a desk

    Benchmarking deployment of eHealth among European GPs

    30 May 2019

    RAND Europe and partners measured the use of ICT and eHealth applications by primary care physicians in the EU 28 Member States and Norway, compared the results with a 2013 study, and analysed the main drivers of change and factors that can enhance or inhibit the role and use of technologies within health care.

  • Filter cigarettes on a heap of loose tobacco, Photo by Maren Winter info@maren-winter.de/Adobe Stock

    Identifying an approach to measure the illicit market for tobacco

    13 Mar 2019

    Researchers are exploring how the illicit market for tobacco is currently measured, what data sources are available, and what additional data could improve the method. Their goal is to develop an independent methodology to measure the illicit market for tobacco.

  • Dutch Army Open house / Open door Landmachtdagen 2012 in Oirschot

    Opportunities for collaborative armoured vehicle investment

    23 Jan 2019

    The European Defence Agency noticed an opportunity to align their member states' armoured vehicle fleet procurement and development programmes and plans. Researchers identified five potential collaboration models that could offer financial, operational, and strategic benefits compared to purely national efforts.

  • Global technology, innovation, and growth concept drawing

    Econometric modelling support links research and innovation to jobs and growth

    21 Dec 2018

    RAND Europe researchers assessed research and innovation reforms in EU countries to improve the modelling of policy impacts within the European Commission's QUEST III macroeconomic model.

  • Armed soldier polices cyber space

    Updating the Study on the Development of a European Cyber Defence Centre

    21 Dec 2018

    An update to the study on an EU Cyber Defence Centre for Common Security & Defence Policy crisis management operations helped inform a number of work and policy initiatives and contributed to the launch of the cyber education, training, exercise and evaluation platform at the European Security and Defence College.

  • Graphic concept representing a security vulnerability search

    The economics of vulnerability disclosure

    19 Dec 2018

    Because economic incentives play a key role in whether users, vendors, finders and coordinators disclose hardware and software vulnerabilities once they have been discovered, governments should adopt a coordinated vulnerability disclosure policy.

  • Manager touching AR screen interface

    Ensuring key skills and competences for defence in the governmental domain

    17 Aug 2018

    To help the EDA maintain key skills and competences across the defence sector, RAND Europe developed a taxonomy of skills in the governmental domain required for a functioning defence procurement system. The researchers also assessed the current demand and supply for those skills across Europe.

  • Engineer showing apprentice how to use drill in factory

    Building evidence on defence-related skills

    16 Jul 2018

    RAND Europe and the Fondazione Giacomo Brodolini are building the evidence base on shortages, gaps and mismatches in defence-related skills. The research aims to deliver a sectoral skills strategy that is agreed and validated by stakeholders.

  • Cyber data map of Europe

    Exploring Europe's defence capability requirements for 2035 and beyond

    06 Jul 2018

    A multi-disciplinary study on behalf of the European Defence Agency found the need for conventional weapons systems will persist and the need for cyberspace capabilities will increase. Also, more coordination of existing R&D programmes is needed across the various EDA member states.

  • Silhouette of businessman on EU-flag-painted brick wall

    Ensuring High-Quality Job Creation from EU Funding Programmes

    14 Jun 2018

    Following the 2008 global economic crisis, job creation has been a key focus of recovery. The European Parliament has commissioned RAND Europe to analyse various EU funding programmes’ potential to create high-quality jobs and identify key characteristics for job-creation success.