Case 2: The EuroHORCs role in joint strategy development for a real European Research Area The role for EuroHORCs in creating more efficiency and synergy in Europe? What are the EuroHORCs challenges for the future?

An argument for internationalization of research and increased cooperation between European Research Councils The best research is promoted if researchers are able to cooperate with other researchers having similar interests Most other researchers are situated in other countries Funding, aiming for excellence in research should, accordingly, be international in character (like the ERC)

ERC will, however, only be able to fund a minor part of the research in Europe The major part of the good research will (at least for the moment) still need funding from national research agencies Different forms of international funds will be needed Coordination between national research agencies becomes crucial

This is where the EuroHORCs could play an important role: - to encourage different forms of joint funding activities; - to coordinate the work going on in different ERA-NETs This is also in line with what is stated in Action line D, in the EuroHORCs position statement

Some Critical Questions: Is EuroHORCs the most relevant institution for this task? - what about ESF, The EU etc. - applied vs Basic research - autonomy What can and should EuroHORCs do to be successful? - lacking administrative resources - legitimicy

Furthermore… Do we need ERA-NETs for this? - contribution to long lasting structures - what happens when the money is gone Could competing forms of cooperation in the ERA be fruitful?