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 policy news, we discuss again how the war between Israel and Hamas may impact science relations between the EU and Israel. We also have a story on a stinging report by the European Court of Auditors (ECA) criticising the European Commission’s AI strategy, and a viewpoint from leading MEP Christian Ehler who wants the next EU research and innovation programme to focus less on policy priorities and give more space to bottom-up innovation.

In funding news, David Matthews takes a look at how ITER, the multi-billion-euro experimental fusion project, can better share its know-how and intellectual property with the private sector. Goda Naujokaityt? interviews the deputy secretary general of the Volkswagen Stiftung to find out how the German foundation invests in research and innovation.

In his weekly ecosystem column, Ian Mundell explains a new UK blueprint for forming university software spin-outs. And Martin Greenacre spoke with a Paris and Boston-based quantum venture capital fund to find out how they are working with academics to explore the commercial applications of their research.

Last but not least, in this week’s Funding Radar you’ll find the most interesting research calls in supercomputing.

Policy Bulletin

EU convenes key Israel council as Gaza boycotts spread

As more universities cut ties, the EU will discuss its association agreement with Israel, which underpins scientific relations. Click here to read more

EU missed artificial intelligence targets due to Horizon Europe delay, auditors find

Overlapping projects, a lack of leadership, and missing performance indicators stalled the bloc’s AI strategy, says European Court of Auditors. Click here to read more

Viewpoint: FP10 should prioritise innovation over policy

Christian Ehler MEP says the next research programme should be less prescriptive, creating space for serendipity and bottom-up ideas. Click here to read more

Funding Newswire

ITER in drive to share knowhow with private sector

Industry representatives are meeting this week. But some in the private sector doubt there is much to learn, and wholly UK-based companies won't receive all ITER's knowledge. Click here to read more

Luxembourg has its eyes on extraterrestrial resources

A new scheme will fund start-ups that are investigating how to exploit resources in space. Click here to read more

How the Volkswagen Foundation brings innovation to research funding

The foundation’s deputy secretary general Henrike Hartmann walks us through its priorities and experimental approaches to funding. Click here to read more

Funding Radar: This week’s most interesting calls in supercomputing

Here’s a list of funding opportunities aiming to provide access and strengthen supercomputing in the EU and the US. Click here to read more

The Ecosystem: universities pitch founder-friendly plan for software spin-outs

A new UK guide tells universities to expect less equity and give founders room to align with the market. Click here to read more

Quantum VC fund aims to connect researchers and innovators

Quantonation will invest €200M in companies across the world. But overall, investment in quantum is falling in favour of generative AI. Click here to read more

Stay updated with all the latest articles from Science|Business by subscribing to our different newsletters or following us on LinkedIn. You can also see all our upcoming events here. Click the following links if you want to subscribe:

Funding Newswire, sent out every Tuesday to help you follow where the public and private R&I money is going and which collaborative opportunities you can pursue.

Our weekly Policy Bulletin, released every Thursday, brings you crucial R&D policy updates from Europe and around the world, with a focus on the EU Horizon programme.

The Widening newsletter tracks R&D growth and challenges in central and eastern Europe, science and technology (S&T) investment opportunities in the region, and the people, policies and programmes behind it all.

Share your thoughts with us! Leave a comment below on the latest news.