• H2020
• Excellent Science

The Initiative for Science in Europe (ISE) and EuroScience have called for inclusive and open talks with the European Commission on the Horizon 2020 Interim Evaluation.

Identifying five areas of opportunity and challenge with which the scientific organisations believe will improve the impact of H2020, EuroScience and the member societies of ISE have offered to be instrumental in this process from the outset.

At the EuroScience Open Forum (ESOF) 2016, attended by PEN and Portal, a joint statement was issued that says: ‘To ensure the best possible contributions of science and innovation to the future of Europe and all its citizens, we raise … five key issues for the interim evaluation to address. Furthermore, we consider them as well fundamental for the new thinking for developing the next Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. ISE and EuroScience are convinced that Europe must do more to reach outwards and not only inwards, establishing greater partnerships at a global scale. Co-operation through science is the lynchpin of Europe’s standing in the world.’

These five key issues involve greater improvement for collaborative basic research to address societal challenges; greater independence and scope for the European Research Council (ERC); greater understanding of the research and innovation dynamic; greater trust for more simplification and better consultation; and the maintaining of focus on Horizon 2020’s initial purposes.

The joint statement continues: ‘We would be happy to continue this dialogue with the European Commission’s research family and our own broader memberships.’

The full statement with details of each key opportunity and challenges is available to read here.