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EU to Go Ahead with Reform of Its Research Assessment Process in the Face of Scepticism

EU to Go Ahead with Reform of Its Research Assessment Process in the Face of Scepticism

A number of national research organisations have been taken aback by the urgency of a request by the European Commission to appoint representatives to negotiate a new research assessment system in Europe.

Tackling R&I Foreign Interference

Tackling R&I Foreign Interference

R&I Foreign interference occurs when activities are carried out by, or on behalf of, a foreign state-level actor, which are coercive, covert, deceptive, or corrupting and are contrary to the sovereignty, values, and interests of the European Union (EU). EU Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and Research Performing Organisations (RPOs) can benefit from a comprehensive strategy for tackling foreign interference that covers key areas of attention grouped into the following four categories: values, governance, partnerships and cybersecurity. This document contains a nonexhaustive list of possible mitigation measures that can help HEIs and RPOs to develop a comprehensive strategy, tailored to their needs.

A New Type of Powerful Artificial Intelligence Could Make EU's New Law Obsolete

A New Type of Powerful Artificial Intelligence Could Make EU's New Law Obsolete

The EU's proposed artificial intelligence act fails to fully take into account the recent rise of an ultra-powerful new type of AI, meaning the legislation will rapidly become obsolete as the technology is deployed in novel and unexpected ways. Foundation models trained on gargantuan amounts of data by the world's biggest tech companies, and then adapted to a wide range of tasks, are poised to become the infrastructure on which other applications are built.

Horizon Europe: Bigger and More Complex Than Ever

Horizon Europe: Bigger and More Complex Than Ever

First impressions of Horizon Europe are in, as the research world gets to grips with the €95.5B research programme.

Call for Additional €4B Investment in European Research Infrastructures

Call for Additional €4B Investment in European Research Infrastructures

Europe needs to build eleven new international research labs at a cost of €4.16 billion, according to the latest roadmap from the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI), published on 7 Dec., as the European Commission called for a review of funding sources for the shared facilities.

Moves to Stop EU Researcher Mobility Promoting One Way - East to West - Flow of Skills

Moves to Stop EU Researcher Mobility Promoting One Way - East to West - Flow of Skills

Academic mobility has long been trumpeted as the secret to forming international research networks, but support has led to one-way flows. Now, the EU is considering how to balance out the movement of researchers around the bloc.

Parliament Gets Council to Agree on Slight Increase to 2022 Horizon Europe Budget

Parliament Gets Council to Agree on Slight Increase to 2022 Horizon Europe Budget

This year's budget waltz is over. After months of haggling, MEPs scored a last-minute deal last night on the 2022 budget, convincing member states to allocate some extra cash to Horizon Europe, though in the end the increase was far lower than the European Parliament was bidding for.

No Clear Path to Swiss Association in Horizon Europe After Bilateral Meeting in Brussels

No Clear Path to Swiss Association in Horizon Europe After Bilateral Meeting in Brussels

Switzerland should agree to a timeline for ironing out broader political disagreements with the EU, the European Commission announced on Monday, signaling a long road ahead for Swiss association to Horizon Europe.

Challenges to Democracy in Europe: Insights Into a Complex and Turbulent Political Climate

Challenges to Democracy in Europe: Insights Into a Complex and Turbulent Political Climate

Results from some of the innovative EU-funded research that help us to better understand the major political issues of the day and provide recommendations for policymakers, citizens and other organisations to better respond to the threats facing European democracy.

Call for EU to Help Afghan Scientists

Call for EU to Help Afghan Scientists

The European People's Party (EPP) is calling on the Commission and member states to fund emergency placements for Afghan researchers and academics at European higher education and research institutions. One of the EPP's lead MEPs, Christian Ehler, said scientists in Afghanistan risk being persecuted by the Taliban, after the islamist group took over the country when the US military and its allies pulled out.

Swiss Exclusion from Horizon Europe Set to Last at Least Two Years, Universities' Chief Predicts

Swiss Exclusion from Horizon Europe Set to Last at Least Two Years, Universities' Chief Predicts

Switzerland will be excluded from Horizon Europe for at least two years, fears Yves Flückiger, president of the country's university association, swissuniversities and rector of the University of Geneva.

70 Percent of Adults in the European Union Have Been Fully Vaccinated.

70 Percent of Adults in the European Union Have Been Fully Vaccinated.

After a fumbling start, the European Union overtook the United States in vaccinations last month.

After Long Months of Disruption, Universities Get Ready to Start 'normal' Academic Year

After Long Months of Disruption, Universities Get Ready to Start 'normal' Academic Year

With 70% of the EU population now fully vaccinated, European universities are planning to welcome students back to lecture halls and seminar rooms for the 2021-22 academic year, after long months of disruption and distance learning.

Interest in EU Research Mobility Schemes Growing in the Western Balkans

Interest in EU Research Mobility Schemes Growing in the Western Balkans

New research points to growing participation of Western Balkans researchers in EU academic exchange programmes, as the EU takes steps to welcome countries in the region as associate members of the Horizon Europe.

EU Higher Education Staff and Students in the UK

EU Higher Education Staff and Students in the UK

This briefing examines the contribution of EU staff and students to higher education and research throughout the UK and across disciplines and highlights the challenges associated with replacing the Erasmus+ programme.

Why is Horizon Europe Important for Switzerland and the European Union?

Why is Horizon Europe Important for Switzerland and the European Union?

Switzerland has been excluded for now from the EU's key Horizon Europe research programme. This is a big blow for Switzerland's research landscape.

Europe Plans Aggressive New Laws to Phase Out Fossil Fuels

Europe Plans Aggressive New Laws to Phase Out Fossil Fuels

The proposals, expected Wednesday, are likely to be more ambitious and specific than other countries' efforts to fight climate change and may include a border tax on imports deemed to be polluting.

Lift-off for European Union's New Space Programme

Lift-off for European Union's New Space Programme

It's got a bigger space budget than ever before but does the EU have the necessary ambition to match?

Science Ministers Commit to Improving Research Careers in Europe

Science Ministers Commit to Improving Research Careers in Europe

EU research ministers on Friday committed to enhance the attractiveness of research careers and improve brain circulation in Europe, and are calling on member states and the European Commission to take a common approach. That will include setting up an EU system to track mobility of talent, assess working conditions and promote gender and intergenerational equality.