This ERA Toolkit on “Applications of wild cards and weak signals to the grand challenges and thematic priorities of the European Research Area” aims to be a source of reference and inspiration, for all those involved with the European Research Area. The Grand Challenges agenda requires actions on a substantial scale in order to truly make a difference to the fortunes of its economies and the lives of its citizens. Hopefully, this Toolkit can also contribute to overcoming what the ERA Expert Group saw as a lack of drive, direction and imagination among Europe’s political actors to achieve these ends.