The European Research Era (ERA) aims to fulfill three major goals: to increase knowledge, to benefit to society and to produce economic benefit.

Towards a world class Frontier Research

Today’s meeting of the EU Heads of Government, under the UK Presidency, represents a critical step not only in the further development of the European Union but it is especially critical for the future of research and development in Europe.

The Lisbon objectives, agreed by the European Council in 2000 aimed at establishing the EU as the World’s leading knowledge-based economy by 2010. Already the Mid term Review led by former Dutch Prime Minister, Wim Kok, has shown that not only is the EU failing in its approach to meet this objective but also it has falling behind in the schedule necessary to attain the Lisbon goals in the given timescale.

Support for research and development is the key to achieving the Lisbon objectives and demands that national governments increase their support for research and also give their support to the overall research activity of the Union, as expressed through the Framework Programme.

The proposal from the European Commission for the Seventh Framework Programme provides an important step to achieving the goals of the Lisbon process. The proposal, setting out priorities for a seven year programme at a total value of €72 billion, introduces vital new initiatives for Europe, of which the one to establish a European Research Council (ERC) is the most significant. This will encourage excellence in European research, which can ensure European leadership in research for the future. This, together with investment in research infrastructure and the support for the younger generation of researchers, are vital for Europe’s future.

Euroscience, a “grassroots” association of researchers, science journalists, decision-makers and other interested in research with members in 40 European countries, welcomes the emphasis on research in the UK Presidency budget proposal and urges Heads of Government to honour the pledges which they themselves gave in Lisbon and the obligations which they undertook, to ensure that the EU budget settlement recognises the importance of the research and accords the full budget to the Seventh Framework Programme, and especially those elements addressing the ERC, research infrastructures and the younger generation of researchers.

Professor Jean-Patrick Connerade, President of Euroscience, said “I strongly urge the Heads of Government to remember their obligations from Lisbon and to ensure that the research budget is protected within the overall financial perspectives of the Union. The UK Presidency has recognised the priority of research to the future of the Union and I sincerely hope that other Heads of Government will be equally supportive. The EU faces very major challenges in the years ahead and research is one area from which we start from a reasonable base. Our economic well being depends on this investment in research and development both for the present and the future. I strongly urge the Heads of Government to come to agreement at this meeting on the EU’s budget which must have, as its priority, honouring the Lisbon obligations and ensuring a strong investment in research”.