THE CENTRE FOR ECONOMIC POLICY RESEARCH

Their core work

CEPR is a London-based network organisation that connects academic economists across Europe to produce policy-relevant economic research. Their H2020 work spans two distinct but related tracks: analysing the macroeconomic effects of research and technology adoption (FRAME), and examining how the EU uses trade and cooperation agreements as instruments of foreign policy influence (RESPECT). In both cases, CEPR's contribution is analytical — they model, measure, and interpret economic phenomena rather than build technology. Their value to a consortium is credible, publishable economic evidence that satisfies the societal-impact requirements of EU-funded projects.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

With only two projects starting in consecutive years (2017 and 2018), there is insufficient timeline depth to identify a meaningful evolution in focus. Both projects fall within the same EU funding pillar (P3-SOCIETY) and the same scheme (RIA), suggesting a consistent positioning as an economic analysis partner for societal-challenge research. No keyword data was available to trace topic-level shifts, so any claim of directional change would be speculation.

The move from domestic macroeconomic modelling (FRAME) toward EU external relations and trade (RESPECT) may reflect growing demand for economic analysis in EU foreign and trade policy — but with only two data points, this should be treated as a weak signal rather than a confirmed trajectory.

How they like to work

CEPR has never coordinated an H2020 project, appearing exclusively as a participant — consistent with their identity as a research network that lends analytical credibility to consortia rather than managing them. With 14 unique partners across 11 countries in just two projects, they demonstrate a broad and varied network rather than repeated collaboration with the same institutions. This suggests they are brought in as a specialist economics partner and are comfortable operating across diverse international consortia.

CEPR has engaged with 14 distinct consortium partners spanning 11 countries through just two projects, indicating a wide European reach despite minimal H2020 activity. Their network is geographically diverse, which aligns with their model as a pan-European economist network rather than a single-country research group.

What sets them apart

CEPR occupies a rare position as a pan-European economics research network with strong ties to academic institutions and central banks across the continent — giving any consortium access to a credible, politically neutral economic voice. Unlike university economics departments, CEPR can mobilise economists from multiple countries quickly, which is valuable when a project needs multi-country economic analysis. Their focus on policy-relevant output (not just academic publishing) makes them useful for projects that must demonstrate real-world societal impact to the European Commission.

Highlights from their portfolio

• FRAME
  The largest of CEPR's two H2020 engagements (EUR 512,233), directly aligned with the economics of research investment — a topic central to EU innovation policy debates.
• RESPECT
  Addressed EU soft power and trade policy at a moment of significant geopolitical flux, positioning CEPR at the intersection of economics and EU foreign affairs.