1 Barcelona, 9-10 September 2004 View of the European Commission Support for Basic Research Dr. Erika Szendrak RTD B1 – Anticipation of scientific technological needs; basic research

2 Focusing and Integrating Community research Strengthening the foundations of the ERA Structuring the ERA Genomics IST Citizens Aeronautics Food Sustainable dev. “Wider field of Research” SMEs International co-operation JRCs NEST Support to policies FP6 and basic research Nanotechnologies Thematic priorities

3   Stimulate visionary long term research at the frontiers of knowledge and at the interface between disciplines   Give researchers freedom to develop and prove their ideas within the broadest possible limits   Respond rapidly to new problems and opportunities New and Emerging Science and Technology (NEST)

4 Open domain : Focused actions: 235 M € Overall Budget, ADVENTURE INSIGHT PATHFINDER NEST- two modes complexity - synthetic biology - what it means to be human Proposals selected on the basis of scientific excellence and high-risk

5   Progressively stronger calls for a European Research Council (ERC)   Copenhagen conference, October 2002   Mayor group report “The European Research Council – a Cornerstone in the European Research Area”, December 2003   Many other position papers from actors and interest groups (ESF, ERT, ELSF, Academia Europea, …) The scientific debate on basic research in Europe

6 A European Research Council is needed :   Funding basic research on the principle of scientific excellence   Cover of all areas of science and technology   Autonomy in operation Run by scientists Arms length from the Commission   Minimal bureaucracy Flexible granting instrument Lean management procedures Areas of consensus for the scientific community

7   Increasing contacts and dialogue between Commission and interest groups during   Competitiveness Council 22 September request to the Commission to prepare ideas   Commission Communication “Europe and Basic Research” 14 January 2004 The political debate

8   Basic research has an important impact on economic performance   Europe is not making the most of its research capabilities   A new funding mechanism is needed at European level to reinforce excellence based on competitive support to individual teams sole criterion for selection should be scientific excellence (a different form of added value from European action) Europe and Basic Research January 2004, COM(2004)9

9   Dublin ministerial seminar 17 February 2004 « need to provide funding for high quality basic research in FP7 »   Council Resolution of 11 March 2004 « stimulate research excellence […] by encouraging more competition in science-driven research at European level selected on the basis of excellence »   Commission Communication on future research policy of 16 June 2004 The political debate continued...

10 Science & Technology, the key to Europe’s future June 2004, COM(2004)353  Research a major objective  Doubling of the research budget  Balance between Current and new activities Basic and applied research Human resources and infrastructures  Improvement of administrative environment

11 Science & Technology, the key to Europe’s future - Key axes Collaborative research Basic research, competitive funding Technology initiatives Human resources Research infrastructures Coordination of national programmes 6 axes new

12 Principles   Autonomy   Transparency   Adequate means  Accountability  Proportionality  Legitimacy  Efficiency A new basic research funding mechanism: credible and feasible

13 Structure   Executive Agency Council Regulation 58/2003   EU conventional agency Several precedents (none grant-giving)   Other structure (e.g. Foundation) under Article 171 No models so far

14   Broad consultation   Selection of structure and institutional development   Mandate, structure and membership of “ Scientific Council ”   Development of operational base (organisation, grant, evaluation, etc.)   Added value (how to maximise impact)   Coordination with other FP axes Next steps: the road map

Communication on the future of EU research policy onwards Development work in consultation with the community (choice of structure and operational methodology) mid 2005 FP7 proposal 2006 Decision on FP First funding of research grants to individual teams Timetable