Review of issues related to methods, criteria and indicators for widening actions

The purpose of this report is to assess the criteria that might be used to assist in targeting future "widening actions" that are intended to address inequality in research and innovation performance between EU Member States. A range of single indicators is assessed including measures based on expenditure, publication and patenting. Composite indicators are also considered. The report further includes socio-economic indicators alongside conventional measures of research and innovation. It is recommended that the Commission consider further the merits of a "filtering" methodology based on headline measures of economic performance (GDP per head), research performance (scientific publication in the top 10% citations) and innovation (PCT patent applications).