Send us a link

Subscribe to our newsletter

Europe's Influential Science-Policy Chief on His Successes and Disappointments

Europe's Influential Science-Policy Chief on His Successes and Disappointments

Robert-Jan Smits, the European Union’s departing director-general of research, sets out his parting thoughts. After eight years, he hands over his role as director-general of the European Commission’s research directorate to Jean-Eric Paquet, currently a deputy-secretary-general at the commission.

Guidance to Facilitate the Implementation of Targets to Promote Gender Equality in Research and Innovation

Guidance to Facilitate the Implementation of Targets to Promote Gender Equality in Research and Innovation

Recommendations to facilitate the implementation of guiding targets in research institutions and higher education establishments as requested by the Council of the EU.

Boost for Blockchain Research as EU Increases Funding Four-Fold

Boost for Blockchain Research as EU Increases Funding Four-Fold

Spending on research projects on blockchain technologies by the European Union is to jump after it announced plans to increase funding from €83 million to as much as €340 million by 2020.

 

EU on Verge of Directly Funding Universities

EU on Verge of Directly Funding Universities

Direct funding of regional university networks is being talked about by the EC and national governments. Another option would be rewarding universities according to how much they contribute to local innovation - using an assessment similar to the UK’s REF. EU support for universities is currently channelled only to specific projects, with no institutional discretion.

Parliament Wants a Substantially Bigger Research Budget

Parliament Wants a Substantially Bigger Research Budget

The European Parliament wants to substantially increase research spending to at least €120 billion in the next seven-year EU budget cycle that comes into effect after 2021. The current €77 billion research programme, “cannot satisfy the very high demand”.  from applicants.

Why Evidence Matters

Why Evidence Matters

Interview with Anne Glover, former Chief Scientific Advisor to the Scottish Government and to the President of the European Commission, on the role evidence takes in political decision-making.

To Have and Have Not: The Drama of EU Research Funding Enters Its next Act

To Have and Have Not: The Drama of EU Research Funding Enters Its next Act

More EU ministers and commissioners are voicing support for bigger research and innovation funding - but the political argument is a long way from won. To win the case for more funding, innovation fans are going to have to talk, not abstractly, but concretely.​

More Than 2,300 EU Academics Resign Over UK University 'Brexodus'

More Than 2,300 EU Academics Resign Over UK University 'Brexodus'

New figures show a 19 per cent increase in departures of European staff from UK universities last year compared to before the EU referendum, and a 10 per cent rise from some 2130 resignations in 2015-16.

UK Government Promises Plans for Euratom Exit 'Shortly'

UK Government Promises Plans for Euratom Exit 'Shortly'

Dominic Raab, the justice minister, has said that the UK government will lay out "its vision" for cooperation with the European Atomic Energy Community, Euratom, within weeks.

First University in Region to Implement Gender Equality Plan

First University in Region to Implement Gender Equality Plan

International University of Sarajevo will become the first University in the region to implement a Gender Equality Plan, which will be funded by the EU through Horizon2020 program.

Brexit Agreement Would Allow EU Scientists to Stay in United Kingdom

Brexit Agreement Would Allow EU Scientists to Stay in United Kingdom

Larger political deal achieves a long-standing goal of scientific community, but hard tasks lie ahead.

Brexit ‘Breakthrough’ Draws Praise from Science Policy Experts

Brexit ‘Breakthrough’ Draws Praise from Science Policy Experts

Giving EU nationals the right to remain in the UK will boost confidence, say observers. 

The Social Dimension in the Future of Europe Debate

The Social Dimension in the Future of Europe Debate

EU leaders highlighted their political support for enhanced cooperation in education.

ERC Consolidator Grants: 630 Million Euro from the EU to 329 Top Researchers

ERC Consolidator Grants: 630 Million Euro from the EU to 329 Top Researchers

The ERC has announced today the awarding of the Consolidator Grants that go to 329 top researchers across Europe.

EU to Prioritise Deeper Higher Education Cooperation and Mobility

EU to Prioritise Deeper Higher Education Cooperation and Mobility

European leaders and the European Commission have backed proposals to step up higher education mobility and exchanges and create a network of European universities with integrated study programmes and curricula that enable students to study abroad.