For the past two decades, Brussels has tried to push forward this unifying vision -- but frustrated by the pace of change, some universities now think it needs a bigger shove. The ERA remains an “unfinished project,” said Jan Palmowski, secretary general of the Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities. Though there has been progress, “the original goals haven’t been accomplished.” With the ERA a priority of the current research and innovation commissioner, Mariya Gabriel, work is under way in Brussels to hammer out a new smorgasbord of targets to hurry it along. One aim on the table is for governments to spend 1.25 percent of gross domestic product on research and development.