Woman in lab clothes wearing protective mask conducting tests in laboratory setting © gevende

Our priorities

COVID-19

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is an enormous challenge for both Europe and the world. Science Europe members and other organisations are involved in a number of activities to address the cause and consequences of the pandemic.

EU Framework Programmes

The EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation is the main EU funding instrument for research and innovation. Science Europe is currently fully engaged in promoting its members’ key interests and expertise in the ongoing discussions over the next Framework Programme, Horizon Europe.

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Research Assessment

Research assessment lies at the core of the activities of every Science Europe member. The tools and processes that are used, such as peer review, ought to select the best researchers and projects in a fair and transparent manner. Research assessment must reward all excellent scientific contributions and promote good research practices, reproducibility, and integrity.

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Open Access

Science Europe supports Open Access, the principle and practice of providing free online access to scholarly publications. The association has established its very own set of common principles that will facilitate a smooth transition from subscription to Open Access. Science Europe has also been instrumental in developing and promoting Plan S.

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Research Data

Access to and sharing of research data are central pillars of Open Science and are fully supported by Science Europe Member Organisations. Science Europe is committed to supporting data sharing by contributing to the definition and use of consistent data-sharing policies and practices, such as research data management (RDM) and data management plans (DMPs).

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Cross-border Collaboration

Increased cross-border collaboration contributes to scientific excellence. It allows research communities to work together and strengthens less research-intensive regions. To facilitate collaboration and reduce the administrative burden, Science Europe assists its members in setting up new mechanisms.

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Research Infrastructures

Research Infrastructures (RIs) are facilities, resources, and services that are used by the research communities to conduct research. The majority of funding for RI construction and operation is granted at national level, hence a coordinated development of future policies and funding schemes is crucial to improve efficiency.

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Other activities

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Data-related Legislation

Researchers need legal certainty on data usage. Legislation such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Directive on the Re-use of Public Sector Information (PSI Directive), and the Regulation on the Free Flow of non-personal data needs to reflect the practices and needs of research.

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Copyright

European copyright needed to be modernised and harmonised to support researchers’ use of cutting-edge technologies, such as Text and Data Mining (TDM). During its recent legislative campaign, Science Europe advocated a broad TDM exception to foster collaborative research and international collaboration.

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Gender and Diversity

Gender equality and diversity are essential components of scientific quality. Science Europe works to promote a research ecosystem where all scholars can realise their potential regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, religion, disabilities, ethnic origin, or social background.