Collaboration among heterogeneous actors drives innovation, particularly in knowledge-intensive industries. Science-Industry interactions and public-private partnerships play a pivotal role in innovation endeavors. However, understanding the micro processes governing actor aggregation and the impact of exogenous shocks on research partnerships remains limited. To address these gaps, this paper analyzes research partnership formation and evolution. The empirical analysis examines EU R&I collaborative healthcare projects funded by FP7 and H2020 programs, including COVID-19 calls within H2020. The lock-in effect is strong in the FP7-H2020 transition and milder in the H2020-COVID-19 passage, suggesting increasing openness due to pandemic pressure. The analysis also highlights budget concentration on partnerships with established track records and the significant role of moderately innovative countries in core partnerships. By providing insights into actor aggregation and exogenous shocks' impact, this research informs policymakers and funding bodies on fostering diverse collaborations and innovation within the EU's R&I landscape.
