Reaction to the State of the European Union 2020
Science Europe welcomes the European Commission’s ambitions for digital and green transformation as highlighted by President von der Leyen today.
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The Research and Innovation (R&I) sector has been sacrificed in these budget negotiations, when it should have been the spearhead of an ambitious, future-oriented, knowledge-based plan for Europe. Science Europe now calls the European Parliament and the European Commission, as the protectors of European R&I, to continue taking a strong stand in favour of a larger budget for Horizon Europe
In view of the upcoming trilogues between the three European institutions, Science Europe invites all parties to consider a series of elements to further improve the legislative package for Horizon Europe. The budget of €120bn proposed by the European Parliament is a very welcome proposal and should be taken up by the Council in the next Multiannual Financial Framework. Moreover, fundamental research must be included in all parts of the programme, including the European Innovation Council.
Science Europe welcomes the Political Partial Agreement on Horizon Europe, voted on today in plenary by the European Parliament. Science Europe is very pleased to see that excellence remains the core principle of the programme. However Horizon Europe’s ambitions can only be met with the appropriate funding and we therefore advise that Horizon Europe is granted a budget of at least €120bn.
Science Europe welcomes the European Commission’s ambitions for digital and green transformation as highlighted by President von der Leyen today.
In 2022, Science Europe made significant contributions in various areas, including research culture, research assessment, open science, EU framework programmes, the green and digital transition, and science communication.
Science Europe sees interesting opportunities in the use of missions and cross-disciplinary Research and Innovation as part of Europe’s toolset to address societal or global challenges. However, the criteria for selecting missions so far have been too broad and more discussion is needed on the concept of missions and their introduction in FP9.
For Horizon Europe’s ‘Strategic Plan’ 2021-2024, Science Europe urges the European Commission to support cutting-edge research and innovation at all Technological and Societal Readiness Levels, and to adopt objectives that are not limited to short term impact. Europe should dare to explore unexplored paths and support riskier experimentation. Moreover, Science Europe recommends to reinforce a series of cross-cutting factors to increase the scientific, economic, and societal impacts of Horizon Europe.
In its response to the European Commission, Science Europe outlines numerous topics that should be further addressed in order to create the best possible start for Horizon Europe. Such developments include striking the right balance between research and innovation, embedding the whole spectrum of equality aspects, better integration of Social Sciences and Humanities, and the creation of synergies between the various parts of the programme.
This is Science Europe’s response to the report ‘LAB–FAB–APP: Investing in the European Future we want’ by the High Level Group on maximising the impact of EU Research and Innovation Programmes. It outlines points of agreement, as well as additional or alternative recommendations, from Science Europe Member Organisations on how the future of European research should take shape.
Ahead of the trilogue negotiations on the EU Budget for 2020, Science Europe calls on the Council to agree to a substantial budgetary increase for Horizon 2020. Outcomes of Horizon 2020 provide a key contribution to long-term economic growth, European competitiveness, and in finding solutions to societal and global challenges.
Science Europe, along with the European University Association (EUA) and the Conference of European Schools for Advanced Engineering Education and Research (CESAER), supports the environmental goals set by the EU's sustainable finance taxonomy regulation. However, Science Europe calls for caution regarding the broad application of the Do No Significant Harm (DNSH) principle to all projects under European research and innovation (R&I) framework programmes, including Horizon Europe.
Science Europe signs the Open Letter of the European STI Councils and Advisory Bodies on the participation of Switzerland under Horizon Europe
How research policies must adapt: association launches new Strategy Plan 2021-2026 and Multi-annual Action Plan 2021-2026.
Substantial discrepancies exist between European R&I capacities, and these are at risk of increasing. Leveraging the potential of Europe's existing talent, developing new capacities, and optimising and spreading R&I benefits are more important than ever. This Science Europe report makes a number of recommendations to support this.
On 22 February, Science Europe answered the European Commission’s consultation on the past, current, and future European R&I Framework Programmes. The response, developed in collaboration with the SE Working group on Horizon Europe reflects SE Member Organisations’ opinions and concerns regarding Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe.
The Roadmap, approved by the Science Europe General Assembly in November 2013, is Science Europe’s action plan to contribute to the elements of a successful research system. It acts as a framework for voluntary collective activity, providing a long-term strategy for the association. The ‘Priority Action Areas’ are those in which Science Europe members believe that there is a potential to achieve tangible and substantive progress, and where they can add real value by working together.
What can countries do to reduce the R&I disparities in Europe? How can national and European funding be used in a complementary way to widen participation in European programmes? What national measures have been developed to boost brain circulation? On 27 September Science Europe members met to address these important questions and exchange on successful initiatives.
The Science Europe Strategy Plan comes at a crucial time for European Research an Innovation (R&I) and includes an updated vision, mission, values, and set of strategic priorities for the association. It supports its Member Organisation in their mission to create world-class scientific knowledge, delivering more benefit for our societies.
Science|Business and Science Europe co-organised a conference on ‘Talent retention: How can Europe tackle the challenges of brain drain and capacity building in EU13 countries?’. This event closed a series of workshops organised by Science Europe on spreading excellence and widening participation in European R&I programmes.
Science Europe joins 300+ organisations in call to EU decision-makers to pledge ambitious EU Budget on vital R&I.
In December 2020, the EU knowledge community collectively welcomed the provision in Protocol I of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement for the UK to associate to Horizon Europe. Now, at the end of the first year of Horizon Europe’s implementation, the procedure to officialise the association is in a deadlock.
Science Europe calls on the leaders of the EU to dedicate increased funding to research and innovation at the 19 June European Council meeting on the EU long-term budget and COVID-19 recovery fund.
An increased budget is necessary to meet the ambitious objectives of the European Union for a sustainable, healthy planet, and to ensure the global competitiveness of its research sector.
Science Europe also emphasises the need for sustained European leadership in tackling all COVID-19-incurred challenges.
The Multiannual Financial Frameworks (MFF) determine the budget allocation of the EU over a period of seven years. Science Europe recommends strengthening science, research, and innovation by increasing their budget in the MFF for 2021–2027 and to take measures to ensure that the 9th Framework Programme for Research and Innovation will have the capacity to achieve its goals.
Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe have been crucial instruments to boost European scientific excellence and collaboration, and to further develop the European Research Area (ERA).
Horizon Europe’s budget must be protected from any reduction or redirection. Its successor’s budget should be increased.
These are among the key messages of Science Europe's response to the Public Consultation on Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe.
Science Europe is looking for a Senior Policy Officer to join its team in Brussels. The Policy Officer will focus on EU Framework Programmes on Research & Innovation, and on Cross-border and International Research Collaboration.