EU Council Takes Stock of Progress in Horizon Europe Talks
EU governments have made progress in negotiations over the Horizon Europe programme for 2028-34, particularly on the fundamental research pillar.
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Race for the ERA Act Begins As MEP Unveils Early Proposal
The European Parliament has started work on a proposal pre-empting the European Research Area (ERA) Act due to be put forward by the European Commission in 2026. The move is an attempt to set the terms of the debate, calling in particular for a dedicated legislative proposal protecting scientific freedom.
AI Could Make Scientific Overload Worse
Artificial intelligence is helping to advance science, but it could also add to stress on the research system by generating ever more papers and grant applications, an AI expert at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has warned.
Trio of Reports Say the EU is Betting Too Heavily on Generative AI
Three new reports have criticised the EU's artificial intelligence strategy, including its plan to spend €20 billion on enormous supercomputers known as gigafactories to train and run large language models (LLMs), the form of AI that powers chatbots like ChatGPT.
New US Plan for 'AI in Science' Could Change How Research is Done, for Better or Worse
New US Plan for 'AI in Science' Could Change How Research is Done, for Better or Worse
A new Trump administration plan to expand the use of artificial intelligence in US science could boost research productivity. But, it also highlights a need for more global cooperation in AI development.
Ukraine Risks Exclusion from Sensitive Projects in Horizon Europe
The European Commission could ban Ukraine from participating in Horizon Europe projects that are related to AI, quantum, communication and network technologies, and space, according to an internal memo circulated in the first week of November.
UK and German Universities Look to Strengthen Research Ties
UK and German Universities Look to Strengthen Research Ties
The Russell Group of UK research-intensive universities has proposed a series of measures that would help increase collaboration between academic institutions in the UK and Germany.
Viewpoint: FP10 Proposal Risks Weakening Europe's Innovation Capacity
Viewpoint: FP10 Proposal Risks Weakening Europe's Innovation Capacity
Europe faces major societal challenges, from climate change and digitalisation to health and security. At the same time, global competition is intensifying, with the US and China leading the way in breakthrough technologies such as AI and quantum technology. For the EU to remain competitive the next EU Framework Programme for research and innovation (FP10) must strengthen, not sideline, the link between research and innovation.
Industrial Policy Can Benefit from Research, but Should Not Dictate Priorities, Ehler Says
Industrial Policy Can Benefit from Research, but Should Not Dictate Priorities, Ehler Says
Innovation is Europe's main competitive advantage, but industrial policy must not dictate research priorities, said Christian Ehler following his confirmation as lead rapporteur for the tenth EU research Framework Programme (FP10) and co-rapporteur for the new European Competitiveness Fund (ECF).
The Horizon Papers
Science Business is publishing the European Commission’s sector-by-sector plans for its Horizon Europe programme. These documents spell out the research topics, timing and budgets the European Commission plans.
'Web of Incentives' in Research Funding Limit Academic Freedom
An indirect "creeping reduction of freedom" is taking place in academia, according to Maria Leptin, president of the European Research Council (ERC), Europe's main funder of fundamental research. This threat is distinct from government "oppression" of universities and scientists in populist regimes such as the US and Hungary.
Germany Launches €18 Billion High-Tech Agenda
Germany has officially launched a new strategy to take the country to the cutting edge in several technological fields, including fusion nuclear energy, biotechnology and low-emissions transport.
EU to Embed Research Security in Law
New laws on research security are to be included in the forthcoming European Research Area (ERA) Act, according to EU research Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva.
EU Candidate Countries Commit to Better Integration of R&D Policies
Barriers remain in the European Research Area, amid a new push to further integrate the Western Balkans.
Council Signs off on Swiss Re-association to Horizon Europe
The Council of the EU has signed off a deal allowing Switzerland to re-associate to the Horizon Europe research and innovation programme, taking a further step towards ending years of limbo for Swiss researchers.
Ukraine Mulls Plan for Rebuilding Its Science Sector
Ukraine and the European Commission are working on a "working mechanism" for an international coalition of countries and international organisations willing to help the war-torn country to rebuild its science sector, says Denys Kurbatov, Ukraine's deputy minister for education and science.
State of AI 2025: Five Key Charts for Europeans
The US is now supremely dominant in terms of private investment and compute capacity. But Chinese open models are leading the way.
MEPs Put Europe's Innovation Gap on FP10 Agenda
Members of the European Parliament's industry and research committee have defended the need for a Widening programme in Horizon Europe after 2027, but also noted that member states should take more responsibility for lagging national R&D expenditures and make better use of EU structural funds.
Establish an 'ERC for Labs', Says Economics Nobel Prize Winner
The EU should establish a European Research Council (ERC) equivalent to give long-term support to research labs, one of the winners of this year's Nobel Prize for economics has argued.French economist Philippe Aghion was awarded the prize on October 13 for his work that argues economic growth relies on "creative destruction", with new more innovative firms pushing out old ones.
Why Sorbonne Pulled out of University Ranking
Sorbonne University plans to leave the Times Higher Education Rankings. According to its president, most of these rankings are "black boxes" whose methods raise ethical questions.
Scientists Urged to Demand Independent Governance in Horizon Europe
The chair of an expert group charged with advising the European Commission on the next Framework Programme for research and innovation has called for a campaign of "scientific activism" to implement independent governance models across the programme.
Europe Stands at a Crossroads
Universities remain the backbone of social and technological progress. However, not everybody in Europe understands the power and strength of basic science and its importance for the future progress of the continent.
Research Ministers Confident of Role in Horizon Europe Negotiations
EU research ministers do not expect to have a reduced role during negotiations on the future Horizon Europe programme, despite Council plans to assign parts of it to finance ministers via the ad hoc working party on the next multiannual EU budget.
Japan Moving Towards Horizon Europe Association
Japan is edging closer to signing off on a deal to join the EU's €93.5 billion Horizon Europe research and innovation programme, with research Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva flying to the country on 2 October to continue talks.
Global Research Collaboration with Israel Sharply Down This Year
Global Research Collaboration with Israel Sharply Down This Year
Significantly fewer academics, particularly in Europe, are authoring preprints with researchers in Israel this year, a sign that academic boycotts could be starting to scientifically isolate the country.
What Can Europe and Its Universities Do to Halt the Erosion of Academic Freedom?
What Can Europe and Its Universities Do to Halt the Erosion of Academic Freedom?
Much has been said and written about the global decline of academic freedom in recent years. But the warning bells have now turned into emergency sirens.
Amid Gaza War, Debate Intensifies: is It Wrong to Collaborate with Israeli Universities?
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