1. Networking Research in Europe Mr Neil Williams Head of the Physical and Engineering Sciences Unit CG & EW meeting : 1 September 2010

2. www.esf.org 2 Setting Science Agendas for Europe The European Science Foundation provides a common platform for its Member Organisations in order to: advance European research explore new directions for research at the European level Through its activities, the ESF serves the needs of the European research community in a global context. PESC CG & EW meeting: 1 Sept 2010

3. www.esf.org 3 ESF Member Organisations ESF is an independent association of 79 Member Organisations  research funding organisations  research performing organisations  academies and learned societies in 30 countries PESC CG & EW meeting: 1 Sept 2010

4. www.esf.org ERC ESF and partners in the ERA: pluralism Research Institutes Academies National Funding Organisations ALLEA EURO- HORCs Private Foundations EMBOCERNESOESA Universities EUA EC – FP ERABEuroscience HFSP European Associations ISE Academia Europaea

5. www.esf.org About ESF 5 Established in 1974 Offices in Strasbourg, Brussels, Ostend ESF budget: 23M€ in 2008 (GB ~13M€) ex-COST Staff: ~100 in 2008 ex-COST ESF headquarters, Strasbourg Marine Board, Ostend Research Conferences Unit, 15th floor, Tour Louise, Brussels PESC CG & EW meeting: 1 Sept 2010

6. www.esf.org 6 Exploratory Workshops Member Organisation Fora Science Policy Briefings Research Conferences Research Networking Programmes Forward Looks Implementing agent for the COST office through EC contract SCIENCE STRATEGY SCIENCE STRATEGY SCIENCE MANAGEMENT SCIENCE MANAGEMENT Strategic Plan 2006-2010 SCIENCE SYNERGY SCIENCE SYNERGY Coordination of ERA projects Peer Review support Coordination of EUROHORCs projects EUROCORES Research Programmes ESF Activities PESC CG & EW meeting: 1 Sept 2010

7. www.esf.org A Chain of Instruments Exploratory Workshops Conferences Forward Looks RNPs EUROCORES 7 PESC CG & EW meeting: 1 Sept 2010

8. www.esf.org 8 Forward Looks Medium - long term scientific perspectives Multidisciplinary topics viewed at a European level Bring together scientists with policy makers Wide consultation Result in major reports and action plans www.esf.org/flooks PESC CG & EW meeting: 1 Sept 2010

9. www.esf.org 9 Forward Looks No Closing Dates: suggestions to ESF Committees Suggestions developed with MOs Approved by Science Advisory Board and Governing Council ~k€250 each over 2 years Examples: –Science and Society; –Mathematics and Industry; –Food and Safety; –Perspectives for Nuclear Physics in Europe www.esf.org/flooks PESC CG & EW meeting: 1 Sept 2010

10. www.esf.org 10 One-off specialist meetings Spearheading topics ‘Bottom-up’ topics based on open calls Should catalyse significant and strategic activities, other actions, at European level 25-30 scientists involved ESF grant per event 14k€ www.esf.org/workshops Exploratory Workshops PESC CG & EW meeting: 1 Sept 2010

11. www.esf.org 11 Annual Call Early March to late April 2010 Decision By November Workshops in 2011 200-300 proposals per Call 40 awards for 2010 Workshops Co-funding welcome www.esf.org/workshops Exploratory Workshops PESC CG & EW meeting: 1 Sept 2010

12. www.esf.org 12 The science community and Funders submit their ideas for a large-scale collaborative research programme International and joint peer review Research funding remains national Networking funded through ESF 5-6 new Programme Calls a year. CRPs (Projects) – single science case with minimum 3 eligible PIs from 3 participating countries. www.esf.org/eurocores EUROCORES (European Collaborative Research Programmes) PESC CG & EW meeting: 1 Sept 2010

13. www.esf.org 13 Annual Call for Themes Call Open mid March - late May 2010 Quality selected and financially viable themes launched as Programmes by Calls for proposals in December 2010 Research projects start March 2012 Typical duration 3-4 years ~ 30 Programmes ~ 65+ agencies ~ 180 projects ~130M€+ www.esf.org/eurocores EUROCORES (European Collaborative Research Programmes) PESC CG & EW meeting: 1 Sept 2010

14. www.esf.org 14 Networking to enable major scientific endeavours over a four or five-year period Supported by ESF MOs through additional à la carte funding Typically include workshops, conferences, inter-laboratory exchanges, fellowship programmes, summer schools and dissemination Can link to other initiatives, including the EC Framework Programme Financing in the range of 100k€ - 130k€ per annum www.esf.org/programmes Research Networking Programmes PESC CG & EW meeting: 1 Sept 2010

15. www.esf.org 15 Annual Call 2010 Call postponed  RNPs starting ~ 1 year after submission Core’ Steering Group of 8-12 scientists ~ one per participating country Research Quality and added value of European networking 10-15 launched per year 50-60 total – > 50% in PESC Success rates 10-15% Can include non-ESF MO funders www.esf.org/programmes Research Networking Programmes PESC CG & EW meeting: 1 Sept 2010

16. www.esf.org 16 Research Conferences Interdisciplinary scheme for Europe implemented in collaboration with high-profile partners Stimulate dialogue between early-stage researchers and scientific leaders worldwide Cover the latest topics, proposed by and for the scientific community Full organisational support by ESF conference organisers Grants of 20-60k€ per conference, including support earmarked for early-stage researchers www.esf.org/conferences

17. www.esf.org 17 Research Conferences Themed partnerships Potential conference chairs submit proposals within a partnership theme 30-40 per year 100-200 participants Call mid January – mid September 2010 for conferences in 2012 Call for new Partnerships Open www.esf.org/conferences

18. www.esf.org Co European Cooperation in Science and Technology Intergovernmental Framework, governed by its Member States Origin: –Started 1971: Ministerial Conference, - 19 Member States Current Participation: –2009: 35 COST Member States + 1 cooperating state (Israel) COST Actions: –Concerted Actions of nationally funded R&D projects –Open networks on a global scale 18

19. www.esf.org Co European Cooperation in Science and Technology www.cost.esf.org The Committee of Senior Officials (CSO) is the main decision-making body responsible for the strategic development of COST ~250 Actions current Between 65 and 300k€ pa over 4 years Meetings, workshops, conferences, short term scientific visits, training schools. Open call with collection dates of 27 March and 25 September 2009 ~ 9 month decision path 19

20. www.esf.org 20 Open Calls for Proposals ESF issues annual open calls for proposals for: EUROCORES themes and projects Research Networking Programmes Exploratory Workshops Research Conferences www.esf.org/calls PESC CG & EW meeting: 1 Sept 2010

21. www.esf.org European Science Foundation 1 quai Lezay-Marnésia BP 90015 67080 Strasbourg cedex France +33 3 88 76 71 00 www.esf.org/pesc 21 PESC CG & EW meeting: 1 Sept 2010