Latest Science|Business news & analysis
Welcome to the weekly Science|Business roundup of the most significant news in R&D policy and funding, tailored for our LinkedIn audience.?
In this week’s main R&D policy news:?
We start with a rather surprising development: A draft Council declaration sets the national R&D spending target across all EU member states at 4% of GDP. Research stakeholders welcomed the proposal, but with most member states failing to reach the existing 3% target, major changes are needed.?
In other news, companies say the recommendation to set up a European Technology and Industrial Competitiveness Council (ETIC2) to steer collaboration in the next Framework Programme would lay the groundwork for a “transformative shift” in research and innovation funding that would make EU programmes more appealing to business. Martin Greenacre has the story.?
We also have a new Horizon Europe draft programme for 2025. A flurry of climate, energy and mobility projects in the 2025 work programme for Cluster 5 are to be subject to a “societal readiness pilot”, to test their likely acceptability to society at large, according to a?draft document ?obtained by Science|Business.?
Last but not least, we have an opinion piece from the dean of the Bucharest Business School on how Europe’s data strategy risks leaving some behind. Vasile Alecsandru Strat says participation in the Common European Data Spaces (CEDS) varies across member states in parallel with disparities in research and innovation capacity, economic development and regulatory frameworks.?
In funding news:??
We have a special gift for you this week, our brand new 158-page guide to Horizon Europe, updated with the latest policy insights, strategic advice and data analysis. Get it free with your?Funding?Newswire?subscription.?
Elsewhere, we have a story on the Manuel Heitor expert group recommendations for radically simplifying access to EU research?funding. This will be achieved by moving evaluation from the point of grant application to when a project is up and running. We asked the Brussels research bubble if it’s a good idea – and there are mixed views.?
This week’s?Funding?Radar rounds up calls for research in AI and robotics, with opportunities in the EU, Norway, Japan, Australia, India and the US.?
Martin Greenacre has an update on the European Institute of Innovation and Technology’s (EIT) financial independence saga. Its first three knowledge and innovation communities will continue to receive some?funding?from EIT after they are due to become financially autonomous in 2025.?
In the Data Corner, Raffaele Guerini takes a look at the EU’s Innovation Fund for piloting clean technologies at scale. He has a break down of how many projects were backed and which companies racked up most of €7.2 billion handed out over the first three years of the fund.?
In our Insider’s View column, we hear how good communication can help scientists secure prestigious European Research Council grants, this time from evaluator Susan Healy.?
To finish off, you will find our analysis of Horizon Europe planned spending, in which we walk you through the changes being proposed by the Commission in leaked work programmes for 2025-2027. These stories are open access, alongside the documents themselves.?
Policy Bulletin
Draft Council declaration sets R&I spending target at 4% of GDP
Research stakeholders welcomed the proposal, but with most member states failing to reach the existing 3% target, major changes are needed. Click here to read more
Industry ready to embrace more active role in FP10
Companies welcome Framework Programme 10 advisory group’s proposal for a new industrial competitiveness council to steer collaborative research. Click here to read more
EU to announce ‘social readiness’ pilot under 2025 Horizon Europe plan
Leaked draft work programme reveals plans for pilot projects on integrating societal considerations in climate research. Click here to read more
Viewpoint: Europe’s data strategy risks leaving some behind
Disparities in R&I systems make it hard to ensure consistent engagement of all member states in implementing Common European Data Spaces. Click here to read more
Funding Newswire
Read our latest edition of Horizon Europe: The Essential Guide
Heitor report bolsters hope that winning grants come with fewer overheads
The time and money spent writing applications is through the roof, and once more there are calls for simplification. But how? Click here to read more
Funding Radar: This week’s round up of AI and robotics-related calls
Here’s a list of funding opportunities in the EU, Norway, Japan, Australia, India, Russia and the US. Click here to read more
EIT to keep funding regional and education activities
Funding for core activities will go on, even though knowledge and innovation communities are meant to become financially independent in 2025. Click here to read more
Germany and Spain top winners of the EU’s low-carbon Innovation Fund
Germany has received the most money, while Spain ranks first for participation in the fund set up to pilot low carbon technologies. Click here to read more
Advice on winning ERC grants: don’t hide behind the flimflam
Evaluator Susan Healy explains why good communication skills and honesty are half the story in the application process for the ERC. Click here to read more
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