Transcript Basic research in FP7

Barcelona, 9-10 September 2004
View of the European Commission
Support for Basic Research
Dr. Erika Szendrak
RTD B1 – Anticipation of scientific technological needs;
basic research
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FP6 and basic research
Focusing and Integrating Community research
“Wider field of Research”
Citizens
Sustainable dev.
Food
Aeronautics
Nanotechnologies
IST
Genomics
Thematic priorities
Support to policies
NEST
SMEs
International co-operation
JRCs
Structuring the ERA
Strengthening the foundations of the ERA
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New and Emerging Science
and Technology (NEST)

Stimulate visionary long term research at the
frontiers of knowledge and at the interface
between disciplines

Give researchers freedom to develop and prove
their ideas within the broadest possible limits

Respond rapidly to new problems and
opportunities
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NEST- two modes
Proposals selected on the basis of scientific
excellence and high-risk
Open domain:
• ADVENTURE
• INSIGHT
235 M €
Overall Budget,
Focused actions:
PATHFINDER
2004
- complexity
- synthetic biology
- what it means to be human
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The scientific debate on basic
research in Europe

Progressively stronger calls for a European
Research Council (ERC)

Copenhagen conference, October 2002

Mayor group report “The European Research
Council – a Cornerstone in the European
Research Area”, December 2003

Many other position papers from actors and
interest groups (ESF, ERT, ELSF, Academia
Europea, …)
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Areas of consensus for the
scientific community
A European Research Council is needed :
 Funding basic research on the principle of
scientific excellence
 Cover of all areas of science and technology
 Autonomy in operation
 Run by scientists
 Arms length from the Commission
 Minimal bureaucracy
 Flexible granting instrument
 Lean management procedures
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The political debate
 Increasing contacts and dialogue between
Commission and interest groups during 20022003
 Competitiveness Council 22 September 2003 request to the Commission to prepare ideas
 Commission Communication “Europe and Basic
Research” 14 January 2004
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Europe and Basic Research
January 2004, COM(2004)9
 Basic research has an important impact on economic
performance
 Europe is not making the most of its research
capabilities
 A new funding mechanism is needed at European level
to reinforce excellence
based on competitive support to individual teams
sole criterion for selection should be scientific
excellence (a different form of added value from
European action)
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The political debate continued...
 Dublin ministerial seminar 17 February 2004
« need to provide funding for high quality basic
research in FP7 »
 Council Resolution of 11 March 2004
« stimulate research excellence […] by encouraging
more competition in science-driven research at
European level selected on the basis of excellence »
 Commission Communication on future research
policy of 16 June 2004
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Science & Technology, the key
to Europe’s future
June 2004, COM(2004)353
 Research a major objective
 Doubling of the research budget
 Balance between
• Current and new activities
• Basic and applied research
• Human resources and infrastructures
 Improvement of administrative environment
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Science & Technology, the key to
Europe’s future - Key axes
Technology
initiatives
Collaborative
research
Basic research,
competitive funding
6 axes
Human
resources
Research
infrastructures
Coordination of
national
programmes
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A new basic research funding
mechanism: credible and feasible
Principles
 Autonomy
 Accountability
 Transparency
 Proportionality
 Adequate means
 Legitimacy
 Efficiency
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Structure
 Executive Agency
•Council Regulation 58/2003
 EU conventional agency
•Several precedents (none grant-giving)
 Other structure (e.g. Foundation) under Article 171
•No models so far
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Next steps: the road map
 Broad consultation
 Selection of structure and institutional
development
 Mandate, structure and membership of
“Scientific Council ”
 Development of operational base
(organisation, grant, evaluation, etc.)
 Added value (how to maximise impact)
 Coordination with other FP axes
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Timetable
2004
Communication on the future of
EU research policy
2004- onwards
Development work in consultation with
the community (choice of structure and
operational methodology)
mid 2005
FP7 proposal
2006
Decision on FP7
2007
First funding of research grants to
individual teams
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