The Annual Research Conference (ARC) bridges academic research and European policymaking, bringing research findings directly to the European Commission. Organised jointly by the Directorate-General for Economic and Financial Affairs (DG ECFIN) and the Joint Research Centre (JRC), the ARC addresses a different topic each year to inform evidence-based policy. 

The 2026 edition explores how defence investment and economic security are shaping Europe's strategic autonomy and the future of economic policy. The keynote address is due to be delivered by Chad P. Bown, Reginald Jones Senior Fellow at Peterson Institute for International Economics. Furthermore, there will be a policy panel and three thematic sessions on topics of EU vulnerabilities and strengths, European defence and geoeconomics.

This event will be held on-site in Seville (Spain), with webstreaming available. In-person attendance has reached full capacity. New registrations are only possible for online attendance.

All information related to this event, including the agenda (PDF), speaker bios (PDF) and the registration form, are available in the announcement on the website