How the US Fails at Science Diplomacy, but Could Do Better
How the US Fails at Science Diplomacy, but Could Do Better
The country is lagging behind the EU and China as a reliable research partner. But this can be fixed.
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Experts Defend ERC from Commission Overreach in FP10
The European Commission's push to exert more control over the European Research Council (ERC) risks undermining one of the EU's most successful scientific institutions, policy experts warn.
Germany and Other EU States Stall Scientific Sanctions Against Israel
Germany and Other EU States Stall Scientific Sanctions Against Israel
EU governments have not yet agreed to back proposals by the European Commission to suspend Israel from part of Horizon Europe, as alarm grows in Europe at mass famine in Gaza.
European Commission Wants to Suspend Israel from Parts of Horizon Europe
The European Commission has suggested blocking Israel from a grant targeting start-ups, as EU outrage grows at Israel's food blockade of Gaza, which has begun to cause widespread starvation in the besieged territory.
Has the European Commission Listened to Its Advisors on FP10?
Last week, the European Commission unveiled plans for the next €175 billion iteration of Horizon Europe, set to run from 2028 until 2034. Researchers' organisations across Europe are now combing the fine print to see whether it meets expectations.
Communicating Science is an Uphill Struggle for Europe's Researchers
Communicating Science is an Uphill Struggle for Europe's Researchers
Communicating science to the public has been a part of the job for academic researchers for years, but the rise of social media and growing misinformation about science has raised the stakes. As national funders take steps to better prepare their researchers for public engagement, EU programmes are struggling to meet demand for support.
EU Urged to Exempt Research Spending from Deficit Rules
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) is calling on the EU to introduce a major change to its rules to encourage member states to invest more in R&D: decouple national research and innovation investments from deficit rules until the EU's 3% of GDP target is met.
Horizon Europe Will Be 'Dual Use by Default,' Zaharieva Says
Dual-use projects will be supported across the whole of the next Horizon Europe programme, and not just under the European Innovation Council (EIC), as previously announced.
Horizon Europe Budget to Double, but €68B Will Remain in Competitiveness Fund
Horizon Europe Budget to Double, but €68B Will Remain in Competitiveness Fund
The proposal for the next Horizon Europe is in, with funding increases all round, including a tripling of the budget for the EU's innovation scheme, the European Innovation Council.
Praise for Commission's Research Programme Proposal, but Concerns Linger over Its Vagueness
Praise for Commission's Research Programme Proposal, but Concerns Linger over Its Vagueness
There was praise for research Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva and much relief after the European Commission presented its proposal for a €175 billion successor to Horizon Europe on July 16. But concerns remain about the programme's links to the European Competitiveness Fund (ECF) and plans to simplify funding.
Commission Puts Forward €175B Budget for FP10
The European Commission has presented plans to almost double Horizon Europe's budget to €175 billion under the next long-term budget for 2028-34. The tenth Framework Programme for research and innovation will remain "standalone" within a wider €409 billion European Competitiveness Fund (ECF).
European Leaders Cobble Together International Coalition for Ukrainian Science
European Leaders Cobble Together International Coalition for Ukrainian Science
The European Commission has joined various EU countries to launch an international coalition aimed at raising money and know-how to put science, research and innovation at the core of Ukraine's reconstruction and long-term development.
Associated Countries Weigh Up Leaked Plans for Next Framework Programme
Non-EU countries associated to Horizon Europe have reacted warily to leaked draft proposals for the bloc's next research Framework Programme.
EU Commission Draft Proposal for FP10 Leaked
Collaborative research in Horizon Europe is set to be rebranded after 2028 and will be managed through a "steering mechanism" and a "competitiveness coordination tool" which will be detailed in the regulation of the European Competitiveness Fund (ECF), a leaked FP10 proposal has revealed.
EU 'Lagging Behind' on New Approaches to Research Funding
EU countries and the European Commission aren't experimenting enough with new ways to fund research, according to a member of the expert group advising the Commission on how to design the next Framework Programme."EU countries are lagging behind somewhat in adopting or understanding or applying novel approaches to science funding," said Sylvia Schwaag Serger, president of the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Science, at a conference in London this week on the study of science, known as metascience.
ERC Makes Bid to Become a 'permanent Standalone' EU Body
The European Research Council (ERC) Scientific Council wants the EU's fundamental research fund to become independent from the European Commission, with a stable long-term budget.In a surprise move on June 17, the council sent a proposal to create an independent ERC to Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and research commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva. So far, the letter has not been made public.
Commission Seeks Links Between Civil and Military Research Funds
The European Commission wants to make it easier for research and innovation projects to move between civilian and military programmes.
Trump Budget Cuts Hit CERN and Other Global Science Partnerships
Trump Budget Cuts Hit CERN and Other Global Science Partnerships
With steep budget cuts already upending the US science world, the Trump administration is now taking aim at global science, including US collaboration with Europe's CERN particle accelerator and other "big science" labs.The proposed cuts, detailed on May 31 in Trump's 2026 budget plan to Congress, stunned scientists around the world for whom the US has been a key collaborator.
Work on FP10 Outline Must Start Immediately, says MEP Ehler
There is an urgent need to fill in the detail of FP10, the next EU research and innovation Framework Programme, following confirmation that a regulation to set it up will be published on July 16 alongside the new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).
Viewpoint: Novel Ideas, Bold Bets
At the European Research Council (ERC) we know that ambitious, high-risk research pushes back the frontiers of knowledge. Supporting scientifically daring and novel projects means trusting researchers with bold ideas, those who challenge existing paradigms and push the boundaries of existing knowledge and methodologies.
Horizon Europe Expulsion "Almost a Death Sentence for Israeli Science"
Horizon Europe Expulsion "Almost a Death Sentence for Israeli Science"
Ejecting Israel from Horizon Europe would be "almost a death sentence for Israeli science," the president of the country's Academy of Sciences and Humanities has said, as debate grows in the EU over whether to expel the country.
Research, Progress and a 'feel Good' Factor: What Germany's New Research Minister Wants
Research, Progress and a 'feel Good' Factor: What Germany's New Research Minister Wants
Dorothee Bär has promised space travel, a computer games unit in her new ministry and less bureaucracy.
Leaked Commission Memo Lays out Plan for European Competitiveness Fund
EU Commissioners have discussed the possibility of bundling the next Framework Programme for research and innovation with other funding instruments under the European Competitiveness Fund, according to a leaked briefing note.
What Have the EU's Research Framework Programmes Actually Invented?
Last year, when visiting Germany's Sprind innovation agency, I was asked a question that had me stumped: do the EU's research Framework Programmes, the current one being Horizon Europe, actually "work"?
'Self-standing' FP10 Will Be 'Tightly Connected' to European Competitiveness Fund, Von Der Leyen Says
'Self-standing' FP10 Will Be 'Tightly Connected' to European Competitiveness Fund, Von Der Leyen Says
The next Framework Programme for research and innovation is set to remain independent but would still contribute to the European Competitiveness Fund, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said during a speech on May 20.
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