On 28 November 2011, the Council agreed on a new benchmark for learning mobility.

In the next proposal for the Research and Innovation programme "Horizon 2020", the Marie Curie Actions will be renamed "Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions" (MSCA). The objective of the actions will however remain the same: supporting career development and training of researchers through worldwide mobility and skills development.

Eurypedia – the European Encyclopaedia on education systems – was launched on the 5th of December is a new, one-stop product that promotes understanding of education systems and policies in Europe. It has been jointly developed by the European Commission and national ministries responsible for education.

Cooperation in the field of education with the EU's Eastern neighbours has been boosted by significantly increased budgets.

The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) is to significantly step up its efforts to drive innovation and entrepreneurship in the EU with the creation of six new cross-border innovation hubs, known as Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs), in 2014-2020.