EU research policy
The European Commission published a green paper on 9 February 2011, entitled From challenges to opportunities: towards a common strategic framework for EU research and innovation funding. This green paper proposes bringing together different EU instruments for funding research and innovation, including the Framework Programme (FP), the Competitiveness and Innovation Programme, and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology. It also suggests the possibility of better alignment between FP and Structural Funds. The European Commission ran a public consultation, the questions of which form part of the green paper.
Funding for EU research and innovation from 2014: a UK perspective
(PDF, 148 Kb) presents the UK Government's position on future research and innovation funding and includes a formal response to the questions posed in the green paper.
081216_inco_conclusions_final (DOC, 64 Kb) One of ISIU’s responsibilities is to oversee the development of, and contribute to, the implementation of EU research policy. In particular it also seeks to co-ordinate the management of the UK’s participation in the Seventh European Framework Programme for Research and Development. ISIU’s work regarding research policy, and Framework Programmes, is very broad and our key responsibilities are summarised below.
European Research Area (ERA)
ISIU responsibility for EU research policy also covers the European Research Area, or ERA. The ERA aims to create an "internal market" in research, an area of free movement of knowledge, researchers and technology (sometimes called the "Ljubljana Process"). Its aim is to increase co-operation between national programmes, stimulating competition and achieving a better allocation of resources. The ERA is notably wider than Framework Programmes, and several initiatives such as ‘Joint Programming’ are seeking to accelerate roll out of the ERA.
ISIU has several aims with regard to the ERA. These include development of the Area, particularly in the fields of research careers and mobility issues; on-going work with the EU Commission and Member States on international co-operation within the Area; and effective planning of work towards research groups and council meetings. In particular we are leading UK work on Joint Programming, which seeks to better co-ordinate research and innovation efforts on key ‘grand challenges’ facing the EU, such as ageing.
What does it consist of?
There are five "axes", plus an overall Vision articulated in Council Conclusions agreed in December 2008. Under these Conclusions the UK, along with other EU Member States, has to publish a National Action Plan covering the four areas covered in the Communication (open recruitment, pensions and social security, attractive working conditions and skills training). The plan was published on 22 December 2009 and can be downloaded here (PDF, 4.7 Mb) .
The "European Partnership for Researchers" focuses on careers and researcher mobility issues with the aim of making Europe an attractive place to pursue a career in research.
A Regulation establishing a common legal format for research infrastructures of European- wide interest is under negotiation. This is designed to ease the process of establishing such facilities.
A Recommendation on the management of Intellectual Property Rights in knowledge transfer activities and a Code of Practice for universities and other public sector research establishments has been adopted.
An initiative on Joint Programming seeks to promote closer collaboration and better cohesion between national research programmes to strengthen Europe’s ability to meet major policy and societal challenges. This was formally launched through the attached Council Conclusions (DOC, 76 Kb) agreed in December 2008.
An initiative on International Cooperation was also launched through Council Conclusions agreed at the same time. This seeks to create a framework for European engagement with third country partners which will facilitate more coherent approach to international science cooperation. The Council Conclusions (DOC, 64 Kb) are here.
