Science Europe, an association of research funding organisations and research performing organisations, published, on Thursday 23 February, its contribution to the European Commission’s consultation on the EU Framework Programmes for Research and Innovation (see EUROPE 13109/21).
In particular, Science Europe wants to see the budget of Horizon Europe protected and the budget for the next programme increased, a better balance between the different sciences, more diversity and inclusion.
Acknowledging the simplification efforts undertaken by the European Commission to facilitate the implementation of Horizon Europe, Science Europe still sees a lot of room for improvement.
New instruments, such as the European missions and the European Innovation Council, are also assessed.
Science Europe wants to see more efforts made to reduce the disparities in R&I in Europe and the movement of researchers. Science Europe is not fully convinced by the “spreading” and “widening” of enlargement programmes and calls for more mechanisms to broaden participation in Horizon Europe across Europe.
Science Europe also wants Switzerland and the UK to be fully associated with Horizon Europe.
In addition, Science Europe is asking for Horizon Europe to help fund research related to new challenges posed by geopolitical developments such as the Russian aggression against Ukraine.
Link to contribution: https://aeur.eu/f/5h6 (Original version in French by Émilie Vanderhulst)