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EU Should Attract More US Scientists, MEPs Say

EU Should Attract More US Scientists, MEPs Say

Many MEPs have called on the Commission to increase efforts to attract US scientists affected by budget cuts and political interference in academia and research. They see the current geopolitical context as a chance for the EU to present itself as an international beacon for academic freedom.

CSC: International Projects Push New Ways of Monitoring Progress of Open Science

CSC: International Projects Push New Ways of Monitoring Progress of Open Science

Open science thrives on transparency, accessibility, and responsible research assessment. To support these goals, CSC is actively contributing to three EU-funded projects: FAIRCORE4EOSC, FAIR-IMPACT, and GraspOS. These initiatives aim to improve research findability, streamline data management, and promote a more inclusive evaluation of scientific contributions.

Europe Scrambles to Help Researchers Escape Trump

Europe Scrambles to Help Researchers Escape Trump

EU science ministers are calling on the European Commission to stand ready to welcome US researchers threatened by Donald Trump's ongoing tightening of restrictions on US science and provide them with concrete opportunities to pursue their work.

Left MEPs Raise Concerns over Horizon Europe Funding to Israel

Left MEPs Raise Concerns over Horizon Europe Funding to Israel

MEPs in the European Parliament's Left political group have criticised the flow of Horizon Europe research funding to Israel, and the overall shift in emphasis towards the programme supporting economic competitiveness. Israel has long been an associated country to the Framework Programmes, meaning its scientists can participate on an equal basis to their EU counterparts, both leading projects and receiving money. But this has become particularly controversial since the country's attack on Gaza in retaliation for a Hamas assault on Israel in October 2023. 

Parliament Set for Showdown with Commission over Standalone FP10

Parliament Set for Showdown with Commission over Standalone FP10

The European Parliament has adopted a report calling for a standalone research Framework Programme in the next long-term EU budget. This lays the ground for a conflict with the European Commission, which is expected to place the programme within a broader EU Competitiveness Fund.

EU Urged Not to Forget About Defence R&D

EU Urged Not to Forget About Defence R&D

Experts are urging policymakers not to forget about research and development when they set about boosting Europe's defence capabilities. As yet, the political activity following the US decision to suspend military aid to Ukraine has found little place for R&D. 

Europe Could Be a 'Haven' for US Researchers, Says ERC President

Europe Could Be a 'Haven' for US Researchers, Says ERC President

The EU's research funding bodies are thinking of ways to welcome US scientists and European ex-patriots who might be looking for a more sympathetic place to work now that Donald Trump is in the White House. This mirrors discussions at the national level of possible "repatriation awards" and the expansion of programmes to attract American scientists.

New Minister Aims to Find 'black Holes' in Romania's Research System

New Minister Aims to Find 'black Holes' in Romania's Research System

After more than three decades of reliance on foreign direct investments and EU funds, Romania should be looking towards a new economic model based on the production of knowledge and advanced technologies, says Daniel David, who became the country's education and research minister in December. But that would require a reconfiguration of Romania's entire research system, including the merger of low-performing institutions and a new classification system for universities, David told Science|Business in an interview. 

Leptin Calls for a Doubling of the ERC Budget

Leptin Calls for a Doubling of the ERC Budget

With concern for the future of the European Research Council (ERC) still in the air, its president Maria Leptin has called on the European Parliament to protect the council from attacks on its freedom and its resources. "My message today is simple: an independent ERC with a doubled budget in the next MFF [Multiannual Financial Framework] is a strategic investment," she told MEPs on the Industry, Research and Energy Committee on February 19. 

Blind Application Process Helps Swiss Spark Grants Back Unconventional Research

Blind Application Process Helps Swiss Spark Grants Back Unconventional Research

The Spark grants scheme, run by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF), anonymises applications. This has meant a more diverse range of winners, particularly younger scientists and those new to SNSF funding.

FP10 Will Happen, Says Leading MEP

FP10 Will Happen, Says Leading MEP

A leading member of the European Parliament has reassured the research and innovation community that there will be an FP10, despite concerns that the next EU research Framework Programme could be swallowed up in a political drive to boost economic competitiveness."There will be a Framework Programme 10," said Christian Ehler, a prominent member of the Parliament's research and industry committee, at the annual Science|Business conference on Thursday.