European science heavyweights unveil proposals for successful, cost effective European Research

Brussels, 20 April 2005

EIROforum – the umbrella group for Europe’s seven intergovernmental research organisations- will today present to EU Science and Research Commissioner Janez Potočnik their joint Science Policy Paper “Towards a Europe of Knowledge and Innovation”. This forward-looking document sets out comprehensive proposals for the future of European scientific research. Its objective is to further reinforce the close ties between EIROforum members and the European Commission. This increased collaboration, combined with the individual expertise of each of the EIROforum partners, should provide a strong boost to European research, and to the Lisbon Goals of Knowledge for Growth.

At the event to launch the Science Policy Paper, European Commissioner for Science and Research Janez Potočnik will say: “EIROforum partners are a crucial driving force in European Research. They are evidence of the usefulness of a pan-European approach to meet some of the biggest challenges in research today, demonstrating that working together can achieve more than any individual effort. To achieve the Lisbon goals of knowledge for growth, and maintain competitive leadership in the global knowledge economy, Europe needs to join forces to muster the necessary critical mass of resources, expertise and scientific excellence. I welcome EIROforum’s commitment to our common goals.”

The EIROforum Science Policy Paper brings the wealth of experience of these organisations to bear in the on-going discussion of how to create a climate in Europe where competitive research can be undertaken in an efficient, cost-effective and successful ways. Among its key proposals are

• measures to improve the visibility of science in Europe, and attract more young people in science through an innovative ‘Partnership for Science Education’ and other initiatives;
• support for the setting up of a European Research Council acting as an autonomous, science-driven agency with significant funds to ensure competitive research at global level;
• actions to maximise access to, and use of, European research infrastructures, and the development of a new generation of large research infrastructures of common interest;
• a commitment to participate actively in the development of EU technology platforms and large integrated projects.

These proposals tally well with the new Framework programme proposal made by the Commission on 7 April, which envisages greater support for activities to cement science in society, the development of research infrastructures at European level, the creation of a European Research Council and a programme of co-operative research largely based on the industry-driven research agendas established by technology platforms.

Launched in 2002 EIROforum represents seven of Europe’s major intergovernmental research organisations, all of them world leaders in such strategic fields as space research and astronomy, molecular biology, particles physics, nuclear science and fusion research. With a combined budget approaching that of the current EU Framework Programme for Research, these organisations Illustrate, each in their own field of activity, the value and feasibility of pan-European collaboration in research. Enabling EU scientists to engage in truly cutting edge research on a global scale, EIROforum members are key partners of Community research projects.

Item source: IP/05/456 Date: 20/04/2005 Previous Item Back to Titles Print Item