Moving towards central EU research structure
dedicated to research gained in volume this week with the release
of a new report from scientists in the EU.
Calls for the creation of a new European funding structure totally dedicated to research gained in volume this week with the release of a new report from scientists in the EU.
Eighteen months ago the European Science Foundation (ESF), which brings together most of Europe's research councils and national research organisations, launched a debate on the construction of a new European research funding structure, with substantial funding capacity for research in the forefront of knowledge in Europe.
For the ESF, the idea of creating a European Research Council complements the European Commission's vision of a true European research area, with more open competition and collaboration between European researchers and a strengthening of the funding structures of research in Europe.
A High Level Working Group was formed by the ESF in April 2002 to review the case for establishing a new funding structure and to prepare recommendations. The ESF reports that its High Level Working Group, chaired by Sir Richard Sykes, Rector of Imperial College, London, has now produced a report, "New structures for the support of high-quality research in Europe", which advocates the need for an ERC. In addition, it shapes the scope of its remit and basic principles, its mode of operation, institutional development, and its funding sources.
Responding to the new report, the ESF Secretary General Enric Banda said this week:"A European Research Council responsible for funding the highest quality 'researcher initiated' science is essential for the future development of Europe. I very much hope and urge that, based on the report, decision makers will take the opportunity to move ahead quickly in the establishment of such a body. "
In a statement this week Banda stressed that there is still much to do in terms of the details of the structure, funding and mode of operation of a European Research Council.
Politicians in Europe are constantly stressing the need for Europe to become more competitive in the research arena. The establishment of a new research council would clearly go some way to realising this aim.
