Brussels, 16/11/2012 (Agence Europe) - The question of how much will be allocated to the next framework programme for research and innovation (“Horizon 2020”) for the years 2014-2020 is still shrouded with mystery, but 44 Nobel laureates and six Field Medallists have decided to take a stance before the president of the European Commission, José Manuel Barraso, the president of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy, and the president of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, in order to defend the cause of European financing.
In an open letter, passed on to Barroso on Thursday 15 November by Sir Tim Hunt and Professor Jules Hoffman, both Nobel prize-winners for their work in physiology or medicine, the signatories warn European leaders that a generation of talented researchers could be sacrificed if budget cuts are made in “Horizon 2020”.
Support comes just at the right time, one week before the extraordinary European Council to be devoted to the multiannual financial framework. The initiative was favourably welcomed by Barroso, who defends a research budget up €30 billion compared to the seventh framework programme (2007-2013). “We call on EU leaders to listen to this initiative and agree an ambitious, growth-oriented future budget”, he said. (JK/transl.jl)