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Commission's Research Directorate to Develop a New Artificial Intelligence in Science Policy

Commission's Research Directorate to Develop a New Artificial Intelligence in Science Policy

The European Commission is to add a new unit with a brief to set down guidelines for the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in science, according to a leak on the upcoming restructuring of the research and innovation directorate general, DG RTD.

Back to School: What's on the European Research and Innovation Policy Agenda This Autumn

Back to School: What's on the European Research and Innovation Policy Agenda This Autumn

After a summer of fun, the EU research and policy bubble is back in business and bracing for a busy run up to Christmas: a new research commissioner, negotiations on the EU's ambitions to be a leader in critical technologies and (hopefully) a much-anticipated final sprint for UK association to Horizon Europe.

Bans, Flagships, and a Green Pivot: The State of EU-China Research Relations

Bans, Flagships, and a Green Pivot: The State of EU-China Research Relations

China's involvement in Horizon Europe is becoming increasingly restricted to environment-focused and basic research, but is still holding up despite geopolitical headwinds and the disruption to face-to-face contact caused by the pandemic.

Shortage of Funding and Lack of Scale Are Holding Back EU Industrial Policy

Shortage of Funding and Lack of Scale Are Holding Back EU Industrial Policy

Since March 2020 the European Commission has been making moves to improve Europe’s industrial competitiveness. Experts say things are moving in the right direction, but warn there is not enough money or enough focus on scaling up.

European Universities Need a Fine-grained Approach to Economic Security Risks

European Universities Need a Fine-grained Approach to Economic Security Risks

The newly launched European Economic Security Strategy aims to address Europe's economic vulnerabilities at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions. Among other objectives it sets out to better define technologies that are critical for Europe, or which have potential dual civil and military use.

EU Proposal on Research Careers Seen As a Step in Right Direction, but Falling Short on Ambition

EU Proposal on Research Careers Seen As a Step in Right Direction, but Falling Short on Ambition

The European Commission's long-awaited proposal to improve career pathways for researchers put forward last week is viewed an important step in the right direction, but advocates want to see more ambition and political pressure to usher in change.

EU Commission Announces Plan to Improve Working Conditions for Young Researchers

EU Commission Announces Plan to Improve Working Conditions for Young Researchers

The European Commission has announced three new measures aimed at improving career paths and working conditions for young researchers in the European Research Area (ERA). The proposal, put forward today by the Commission, includes a new European framework for research careers, a new charter for researchers and a new European competence framework for researchers.

Researching the Future: Head of the EU Research Directorate Has a Plan for Shaping the 2028 - 2034 Framework Programme 10

Researching the Future: Head of the EU Research Directorate Has a Plan for Shaping the 2028 - 2034 Framework Programme 10

Marc Lemaître, recently installed as head of the EU research directorate, is ready to lead the charge as the European Commission starts laying the foundations for the next Framework research programme. 

Spanish EU Presidency to Spearhead Strategic Direction for Research and Innovation Policy

Spanish EU Presidency to Spearhead Strategic Direction for Research and Innovation Policy

Europe, closer: with that statement of intent Spain has kicked off its six-month stint leading the EU. For science this means a focus on expanding the reach of research and innovation and at the same time advancing with North Africa and Latin America.

The Security Crackdown by Canadian Government is Hampering Research Collaboration with China

The Security Crackdown by Canadian Government is Hampering Research Collaboration with China

The Canadian government's stepped up security for foreign research collaborations has created a climate of fear in which some scientists have stopped submitting grant applications and others have quietly severed ties with collaborators in China.

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.

European Research Integrity Code Updated to Reflect Advances in Artificial Intelligence

European Research Integrity Code Updated to Reflect Advances in Artificial Intelligence

A new version of the European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity has been published that includes guidance on artificial intelligence (AI), navigating EU data protection laws and how to approach changes to research impact assessments.

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.

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.

CNRS: Research Sets Sail for the Ocean

CNRS: Research Sets Sail for the Ocean

Oceans, which cover 70% of the planet, are in peril. Global research is mobilising to study and rescue it, and the CNRS is on the front lines, with over 1,000 scientists and 50 laboratories involved. An overview of the actions underway and the major challenges ahead, from the coasts to the depths of the sea.

Fight Against Insecurity of Research Careers is About to Enter the Spotlight

Fight Against Insecurity of Research Careers is About to Enter the Spotlight

Half of postdocs say they don’t have access to social security and many don’t have permanent contracts either. Now campaigners are putting pressure on the EU to lean on member states to improve working conditions for Europe’s young scientists.

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.

Horizon Europe Was €34B Short in First Two Years According to Commission's New Analysis

Horizon Europe Was €34B Short in First Two Years According to Commission's New Analysis

A new European Commission report says the EU's €95.5 billion funding programme for research and innovation, Horizon Europe, needed an extra €34 billion to fund all high-quality proposals received in 2021 to 2022.

The Ecosystem: The Race is on to Choose Europe's Regional Innovation Valleys

The Ecosystem: The Race is on to Choose Europe's Regional Innovation Valleys

The European Commission plans to designate 100 locations across Europe as Regional Innovation Valleys, in a bid to strengthen innovation in EU priority areas and encourage collaboration between more and less advanced regions. 

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.

European Commission Sets Up New European Innovation Council Unit in the Research Directorate

European Commission Sets Up New European Innovation Council Unit in the Research Directorate

The European Commission has reorganised its directorate general for research and innovation (RTD) in order to give it better oversight of the European Innovation Council (EIC), with a new organisation chart published last week showing management of the innovation funding programme has been moved to a new unit. The unit will sit in the directorate for the European Research Area and Innovation, which is led by Anna Panagopoulou.

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.

Research Lobbies Cheer European Research Council Rollout of 'Inclusive' Evaluation Rules

Research Lobbies Cheer European Research Council Rollout of 'Inclusive' Evaluation Rules

The European Research Council is revamping its project evaluation process from 2024 in line with the EU-wide push for a less prescriptive approach to evaluating scientific impact.