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Brussels' Research Bubble Has High Hopes for New Commissioner Nominee

Brussels' Research Bubble Has High Hopes for New Commissioner Nominee

Research policy experts are breathing a sigh of relief that Brussels is about to get a new research commissioner who has credentials suggesting she's up to the task, after the European Commission president picked Iliana Ivanova to take over the running of the EU's €95.5 billion Horizon Europe R&D programme. Ivanova is a Bulgarian member of the European Court of Auditors (ECA) and a former member of the European Parliament. Her experience as an EU auditor is seen as a positive sign.

Head of ERC: "Put More Money into Basic Research to Stop the Brain Drain from Eastern Europe"

Head of ERC: "Put More Money into Basic Research to Stop the Brain Drain from Eastern Europe"

The EU should double its budget for research to increase the scientific capital of the EU13 countries in the east and stop Europe from falling further behind the US and China, European Research Council (ERC) president Maria Leptin tells Science|Business after a visit to Slovenia and Croatia. The aim should be to help countries in eastern Europe to attract talent to emerging research clusters, helping to bridge the divide with the world class research systems in western Europe.

An EU Landmark for AI Governance

An EU Landmark for AI Governance

A groundbreaking draft law adopted with overwhelming majority by the European Parliament provides a glimpse into the future of governance of artificial intelligence.

China's Quantum Leap - Made in Germany

China's Quantum Leap - Made in Germany

Germany's oldest university hosts many scientists conducting groundbreaking work. Little did they know how they would become entangled in China's quantum military strategy. 

Horizon Europe Can Only Flex So Far Before It Reaches Breaking Point

Horizon Europe Can Only Flex So Far Before It Reaches Breaking Point

It’s likely the European Commission will dip into the research programme’s budget for its new sovereignty fund – and this won’t be the first time money has been diverted to other causes. Flexibility to respond to changing circumstances is important, but when is enough, enough?

Commission Puts Forward €13.6B Research Budget for 2024, with €12.8B for Horizon Europe

Commission Puts Forward €13.6B Research Budget for 2024, with €12.8B for Horizon Europe

The European Commission wants the EU to spend a total €13.6 billion on research and innovation next year, with €12.8 billion going to Horizon Europe. That is €400M more for the research programme than 2023, but in the face of rampant inflation the European Parliament doesn't see this as a major increase.

EU Council's 'No Pay' Publishing Model Draws Mixed Response

EU Council's 'No Pay' Publishing Model Draws Mixed Response

EU ministers have called for a ‘no pay’ academic-publishing model that bears no cost to readers or authors. Some academics have welcomed the proposed plans - but publishing industry representatives warn they are unrealistic.

EU and US Hatch Transatlantic Plan to Rein in ChatGPT

EU and US Hatch Transatlantic Plan to Rein in ChatGPT

The EU is calling on companies to join an international push to self-regulate generative artificial intelligence (AI) products such as ChatGPT, the chatbot launched last November that can write essays, engage in philosophical conversations and write computer code.

Switzerland Announces €625M in Backup Funding for Horizon Europe Applicants

Switzerland Announces €625M in Backup Funding for Horizon Europe Applicants

The Swiss Federal Council has announced €625 million in grants for researchers to participate this year in Horizon Europe and other EU programmes, such as Euratom, ITER and Digital Europe. Switzerland is not an associated country in Horizon Europe and is currently locked out of other EU programmes as well, which means Swiss researchers have no access to funding from the European Commission. However, they can participate in about two thirds of Horizon Europe calls, provided they have their own money.

Mixed Reception for Vestager As Temporary Stand-In at Research

Mixed Reception for Vestager As Temporary Stand-In at Research

The news that Commission vice president Margrethe Vestager will temporarily take over the innovation and research portfolio following the departure of commissioner Mariya Gabriel has been met with mixed feelings.

Despite Risks, EU Continues to Fund Research with Chinese Military-linked Universities

Despite Risks, EU Continues to Fund Research with Chinese Military-linked Universities

Despite efforts to prevent EU technology leaking to China's military, the European Commission is continuing to fund at least five research projects involving some of China's top military-linked universities.

London and Brussels Still Haggling over Horizon Europe Association

London and Brussels Still Haggling over Horizon Europe Association

With negotiations on the UK's association to Horizon Europe still ongoing, the UK government is looking for ways to ensure the smallest possible gap between how much money it will be putting into the programme and how much UK-based researchers get back.

Commission in Fresh Bid to Bolster Coordination Between National R&D Policies and EU Research Programmes

Commission in Fresh Bid to Bolster Coordination Between National R&D Policies and EU Research Programmes

A new initiative aims to replicate the concept underlying the European Semester with a similar forum for research, development and innovation policies.

R&D Organisations Hit out at Proposed New EU Patent Rules

R&D Organisations Hit out at Proposed New EU Patent Rules

Industrial R&D organisation in Europe have hit out at new patent rules rolled out by the European Commission last week, calling for further consultations on proposals aimed at harmonising parts of European patent legislation that currently vary across member states.

Geopolitical Tensions Mean Joining the EU's €95.5B Research Programme Isn't Getting Any Easier

Geopolitical Tensions Mean Joining the EU's €95.5B Research Programme Isn't Getting Any Easier

The EU is making some progress towards adding international partners to its Horizon Europe research programme, but complaints about the proposed membership terms continue to stir controversy.

New Zealand Government Says Its Contribution to Horizon Europe could Be 'Adjusted' According to How Many Grants Its Researchers Win

New Zealand Government Says Its Contribution to Horizon Europe could Be 'Adjusted' According to How Many Grants Its Researchers Win

A transitional arrangement means researchers in New Zealand can apply for Horizon Europe grants as of now, even though Brussels and Wellington have yet to fix a budget following the agreement last December under which New Zealand became the first country to secure full association to the research programme.

Schisms in Research Collaboration Risk Worsening Global Crises, OECD Says

Schisms in Research Collaboration Risk Worsening Global Crises, OECD Says

China, the US and the EU's race to control their own scientific advances and cut out supply chain dependencies could lead to a "decoupling" of research activities at a time when collaboration to solve global issues is crucial, says a stark report by the OECD. 

EU Research and Innovation Policy Should Be More Geographically-minded

EU Research and Innovation Policy Should Be More Geographically-minded

EU funding for research and innovation should have a geographical dimension to help bridge innovation divides in the EU, Lina Gálvez Muñoz MEP tells Science|Business.

Leaked: EU Member States Set out to Reform Scientific Publishing

Leaked: EU Member States Set out to Reform Scientific Publishing

EU countries want to ensure the scientific publishing industry is fair and sustainable as it moves towards open access models, according to the first draft of council conclusions seen by Science|Business.

Marc Lemaître Takes Up the Reins at Research and Innovation Directorate

Marc Lemaître Takes Up the Reins at Research and Innovation Directorate

Marc Lemaître, the new chief of the EU's research directorate takes office today, he will apply his experience in Cohesion policy to promote greater coordination between research funding and regional development funding, increasing the impact of both.