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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.

Spain Adopts National Open Access Strategy

Spain Adopts National Open Access Strategy

Spain has approved a four-year national strategy for open science, under which all outputs of publicly financed research will made available free upon publication. Under the strategy open access will become the default mode for all research funded directly or indirectly, with public funds.

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.

All at Sea: Call for New Body to Bridge the Science - Policy Divide and Save the Oceans

All at Sea: Call for New Body to Bridge the Science - Policy Divide and Save the Oceans

An international initiative to establish a new body to protect the world's oceans is taking shape. The goal is to build a scientific consensus and shape policies to protect, conserve and restore them.

New Pharma Rules Risk 'Sabotaging' Life Sciences in Europe, Says the Industry

New Pharma Rules Risk 'Sabotaging' Life Sciences in Europe, Says the Industry

The European Commission has unveiled long-awaited proposals to reform EU's pharmaceutical legislation to enable better access to drugs and promote innovation, but industry doesn't like the look of it. The first revision of the legislation in over 20 years aims to make medicines more available, accessible and affordable, while boosting innovation and industrial competitiveness, by simplifying regulations and speeding up the scientific evaluation and authorisation of new drugs.

Strengthening Public Trust in Science

Strengthening Public Trust in Science

Funded by the European Commission under Horizon Europe, the VERITY project seeks to increase trust in science and innovation by developing a set of guidelines to increase trust in science to engage stakeholders and citizens, which could have far-reaching implications in areas such as public health and the environment. Are citizens becoming more sceptical about science?

Get Horizon Europe Association Done, UK Academics Say in Parliament Hearing

Get Horizon Europe Association Done, UK Academics Say in Parliament Hearing

Academics in the UK have urged the government to get the Horizon Europe association deal over the line to limit the damage that the two-year delay - and counting - is having on research cooperation with peers in Europe. "The government should just get association done," said Paul Nurse, director of the Francis Crick Institute, echoing the infamous 'Get Brexit done' slogan used by the Conservative Party in the December 2019 election.

Stop Gap Measures Put in Place to Help Ukrainian Scientists Are Maturing into Closer Ties

Stop Gap Measures Put in Place to Help Ukrainian Scientists Are Maturing into Closer Ties

The Foundation for Polish Science recently extended its For Ukraine programme, launching a third call, open for proposals until 4 April from pairs of scientists working in tandem, one from Ukraine who can be living anywhere, and one employed in Poland.

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.

Spain to Pilot Flexible Open-ended Funding for Researchers

Spain to Pilot Flexible Open-ended Funding for Researchers

Spain is to trial a new science funding programme, which will provide researchers with stable funding for four years to explore new ideas and build capacity, without being tied to specific projects.

Ukrainian Government Calls on Science Diaspora to Help Strengthen Ties with the West

Ukrainian Government Calls on Science Diaspora to Help Strengthen Ties with the West

More than one year into a devastating war with Russia, Ukraine's scientists both at home or abroad are still struggling to carry on their work.

German Science Minister Tells Fraunhofer to Reform Amid Allegations of Misuse of Funds

German Science Minister Tells Fraunhofer to Reform Amid Allegations of Misuse of Funds

Germany's federal research minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger is calling for sweeping reforms at the Fraunhofer Society, one of Europe's most prestigious applied research organisations, after auditors found "numerous violations" of financial rules, including members of the executive board exceeding spending limits for hotel stays and hiring luxury cars.

Hope That the Way Will Be Cleared for UK Horizon Europe Association, As Parliament Votes on Windsor Framework

Hope That the Way Will Be Cleared for UK Horizon Europe Association, As Parliament Votes on Windsor Framework

Tomorrow's vote on the Windsor framework in the UK parliament marks a crucial step on the country's potential path to associating to Horizon Europe, the EU's €95.5 billion research and innovation programme. 

Shifting Geopolitics Prompts Germany to Offer Researchers Extra Help on International Collaboration

Shifting Geopolitics Prompts Germany to Offer Researchers Extra Help on International Collaboration

In 2019 the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) set up a new service, the Competence Centre for International Academic Cooperation (KIWi). It's been hugely popular, and the DAAD believes it's time to give it a boost.

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. 

Finland Sets Sights on Higher R&D Intensity After Overhauling State Spending Policies

Finland Sets Sights on Higher R&D Intensity After Overhauling State Spending Policies

Two new laws are intended to ensure a commitment to increase public and private investment in research will survive changes in government. The aim is for total spending to reach 4% of GDP by 2030

War in Ukraine Prompts Shifts in Thinking About International Cooperation in Science

War in Ukraine Prompts Shifts in Thinking About International Cooperation in Science

A year ago, Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine redefined geopolitics in a shockwave that is still reverberating through the science world. The EU research community was quick to cut ties with Russia and lend Ukraine a helping hand - but now it is grappling with resulting instability and uncertainty as the war climbs into its second year.

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.

New German Research Strategy Encourages Risk Assessments on China Collaboration

New German Research Strategy Encourages Risk Assessments on China Collaboration

Germany universities should carry out risk assessments when collaborating with China on sensitive technologies, after a string of investigations revealed that German researchers have been working on projects useful to the Chinese military.

Viewpoint: How a Year of War Has Changed German Science and Higher Education Policy

Viewpoint: How a Year of War Has Changed German Science and Higher Education Policy

A year has passed since Russia started to wage a gruesome war against Ukraine. Aside from causing thousands of deaths, displacing millions and causing a pan-European economic crisis, the invasion triggered a fundamental rethinking of German policy.

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.

How New Zealand's Association Could Change Horizon Europe

How New Zealand's Association Could Change Horizon Europe

It takes at least 30 hours to fly halfway round the world from Brussels to Wellington, with several jetlagged stops on the way. In fact, with most of the EU exactly 12 hours behind New Zealand, even scheduling a Zoom call is a challenge.

Viewpoint: Make Sure That Openness Remains in EU Research and Development Policy

Viewpoint: Make Sure That Openness Remains in EU Research and Development Policy

This article is part of a series of opinions Science|Business is publishing on the EU's strategic autonomy agenda, and its impact on global R&D. A complete report will be published and discussed at the annual Science|Business Network conference 7 February.