ScienceGeist

In the aftermath of the European elections, the calculators are starting to come out in labs and universities around Europe that depend on the EU for research funding: Will it mean more or less money for science and technology? The answer so far: fuzzy maths.

According to the latest data from the European University Association (EUA), only few higher education institutions have policies on research data management in place. 

EU Commissioners approved on 30 April details of an experimental new "matrix" design for their research policy department, which its chief says will force staff to work together across bureaucratic lines. "This is really about establishing an agile, modern, cross-cutting administration, which really can elaborate policies and projects differently," said Jean-Eric Paquet, director-general of DG Research and Innovation, known as DG RTD.

The upcoming European Parliament elections that will shape EU politics for the next five years and beyond will be fought on many issues, including science.

UK-based researchers won the largest share of 222 advanced research grants announced by the European Research Council on 28 March. The grants have a total value of €540 million.

In creating a new innovation council, the European Commission is experimenting not just in policy but also in management.

The ethical issues swirling around artificial intelligence (AI) are under-researched, with surprisingly little serious academic investigation into AI ethics, despite the huge amount of money pouring into the field and the rampant pace at which the technology is advancing.

India's annual multi-million-euro outlay on scientific publishing is a bad deal for the country, says Krishnaswamy VijayRaghavan, principal scientific adviser to the government.

A high-ranking EU civil servant leading the administrative wing of the European Research Council (ERC) announced his early retirement to staff on Monday, citing policy disputes.

EU research chief Jean-Eric Paquet lays plans to refocus staff on policy goals, efficiency and cooperation with other parts of the Commission.

Robert-Jan Smits is pitching the Plan S vision to transform academic publishing to the world’s big science funding bodies.

The change is intended to enable researchers to access structural funds for projects reviewers say are excellent, but which don’t make the cut for Horizon Europe grants.

Commission concedes it will need more time to resolve long-term budget negotiations – but it remains committed to its plan boosting R&D subsidies

Embracing a global view of EU research infrastructures could boost science diplomacy and break down walls put up by divisive politics. But new rules on cooperation and more funding are needed to deliver the vision.

How has this Swiss start-up attracted some of the world's top investors?  Could Auterion's success be attributed to just 3 success factors?

Researchers gain more access to hi-tech research tool, but data start-ups warn the narrow rules create "a backseat for Europe's innovators".

Scientists warn the devil is in detail of the European Commission’s latest open access plan, while publishers argue prohibiting researchers from submitting their work to certain journals is a threat to academic freedom.

"It's not that difficult to flip the system," Smits continued. "The measures we are thinking about are not rocket science - they're straightforward. The main component: if you get a grant in the future, you can only publish in open access journals," he said.

Latest statements from research, industry or other organisations to the European Commission’s Horizon Europe proposal.

Two researchers critique the methodology the Commission uses to compile its annual innovation rankings and urge a different approach.

After being given the green light by research ministers earlier this year, an ambitious initiative to enable Europe’s 1.7 million researchers to share data and research tools is now on course to be launched before the end of the year. But what should the next steps be?

Economist and adviser Mariana Mazzucato says the European Commission should 'welcome risk and uncertainty' with new research missions, but the desired outcome must be clear.

Leading legislator Christian Ehler criticizes planning and budget for moonshot missions proposed by Commission - an idea not yet "changing the world".

The balance of the EUR94.1 billion will go to fund fundamental science and innovation. The total for Horizon Europe represents about 10 percent of government research funding across the EU.

In a paper setting out its negotiating terms, the government calls for a far reaching-science and innovation pact and says it will respect the remit of the European Court of Justice.

'Devil in the details' when US and European researchers try to work together under Horizon 2020.  When it comes to US-European relations, nothing is simple these days.

The European Commission outlined a €100 billion budget for its new research programme, running between 2021 and 2027. The figure includes €97.6 billion for Horizon Europe, that’s an increase of almost 30%.

A Commission factsheet puts the R&I total at €114.8 billion from 2021-2027 – or just about 10 percent of the overall EU budget. But even that number leaves out many other research activities scattered around the Commission.

MEPs and research lobby groups say 100 billion EUR is good but not enough. Parliament ‘will fight’ for 120 billion EUR.

Draft plans for the next EU research programme include lots of hot-button issues - from terrorism to healthcare inequality - that could attract broader political support.