Excellent science should be the key focus of the next EU research framework programme, says EU-LIFE
EU-LIFE, an alliance of life science research centres, has released a wish list for the next framework programme for research and innovation (FP9).
Current programme Horizon 2020 is set to end at the end of the decade and will be replaced by the ninth framework programme. The Horizon 2020 programme was set up as a means to drive economic growth and create jobs by focusing on excellent science, industrial leadership and tackling societal challenges.
FP9
For the next framework programme, EU-LIFE has urged EU officials to focus on driving European leadership in innovation, as well as boosting ground-breaking research alongside professional technology transfer. The alliance also called for excellent scientific research to be made a priority to help boost innovation. This should be achieved by increasing funding for the European Research Council (ERC).
Other recommendations include ensuring open-ended research can flourish across Europe and that collaboration is a key focus.
Furthermore, the alliance said the next programme should look at the pool of research talent and how this can be strengthened.
To ensure groundbreaking research and innovation infrastructure should also be a consideration.
Excellent science
Current chair Jo Bury said: “We, the directors of 13 leading research institutes that are members of the EU-LIFE alliance, call the European Commission to recognise that for research and innovation to be impactful beyond 2020, excellent science must be prioritised at all levels of the innovation cycle.”
Marta Agostinho, EU-LIFE co-ordinator, added: “H2020 has created a new paradigm in research and innovation.
“We are happy to support the drive for more and better impact of research and innovation in Europe, but there still are key aspects to be improved if we want excellent research to address crucial societal challenges in fields such as health, environment or social equality.”
