ScienceGeist

With Europe facing significant challenges over the next decade, it is vital that the EU's research activities are designed not just by bureaucrats but by a wide range of voices to ensure that they're fit for purpose, according to Jean-Eric Paquet, the European Commission's Director General for Research and Innovation.

The crisis of academic freedom in Europe emerged as the main theme at the recent "Bologna Process Beyond 2020: Fundamental values of the EHEA" conference in Bologna. More than 200 university rectors and 800 other stakeholders participated.

The European Union’s research commissioner Carlos Moedas has proposed setting up a European Innovation Council (EIC) to fund applied research and innovation. Inspired by the well-loved European Research Council (ERC), this idea is one of several measures announced here yesterday to boost innovation across the union.

Nature asked nine leading Europeans to pick their top priority for science at this pivotal point. Love, money, and trust got the most votes.

The region already hosts some of the world's leading scientific countries, and some of its smaller states are quickly catching up.

Language, cultural differences and expense are common downsides in some European countries, but researchers who land in Europe love the opportunities to learn new techniques, work in a diverse setting and polish their confidence.

Proactive, cosmopolitan and open, the European Union is filling a leadership void on the global stage.

The European Union's cross-border collaborative programmes offer lessons for the rest of the world.

Former EuroScience Secretary General Peter Tindemans, argues that it is good news that the European Parliament and European Council have reached a partial agreement on the contours of Horizon Europe, the next EU R&D programme.

On the eve of the European Union's parliamentary elections, a special issue examines the prospects for science across the region.

Although researchers do leave newer member states to pursue their career goals, especially in the early stages of their career, they almost always never want to return to their home countries.

Swiss universities fear losing out on the European Union's "Horizon Europe" science research funding pot.

Are you participating in a H2020 funded project? Would you like to know more on how to comply with the H2020 Open Access mandate? Join in this moderated FOSTER/OpenAIRE Course on Open Access to Publications in Horizon 2020.

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

Three new members of the European Research Council (ERC)'s governing body, the Scientific Council, have been appointed by the European Commission. The Scientific Council annonced two new ERC Vice Presidents.

The European Open Science Cloud (EOSC) is officially launched. The inauguration marks the conclusion of a long process, demonstrates the importance of EOSC for the advancement of research in Europe and introduces the new EOSC Portal.

Many countries on continent have not repaired cuts made during financial crisis, despite economic growth

New ‘G6’ group of top French, German, Italian and Spanish institutes aims for more collaboration, and to ‘make sure politicians understand the urgency’ of science investment

Robert-Jan Smits takes Plan S to the White House and says he is in the United States for ‘business not chit-chat’.

A better-tasting tomato highlights problems with Europe’s outdated approach to gene editing.

Key findings from European agencies, government authority reports, and local NGO surveys.

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.

In this Perspective, a group of national funders, joined by the European Commission and the European Research Council, announce plans to make Open Access publishing mandatory for recipients of their agencies' research funding.

Swiss participation in some of the EU’s largest and most prestigious funding programmes is being threatened by rules proposed for 2021-27.

A formal complaint to the European Commission Ombudsman regarding the relationship between Elsevier and the Open Science Monitor.