Security Delta (HSD)’s Post

Great read Hayden Thorne. One thing that frustrates me when it comes to R&D in Aotearoa is our short-term view of science funding as an "expense" line. Funding science is a long term investment that can generate substantial return for our economy (not to mention broader societal benefits). Take a look at the NASA Apollo mission which returned 7x for every $ invested (direct economic benefit only, and this is the conservative side of the estimates). We need to stop looking at science funding in our country as an expense, and rather a long-term investment with significant ROI potential.

LERU welcomes the report of the Expert Group on the interim evaluation of #HorizonEurope and to guide the evolution of the European R&I #FrameworkProgramme.   We are glad that the report: 🔸 strikes a good balance between an ‘evolution’ from Horizon Europe to a future FP, and a ‘revolution’. 🔸 gives explicit support for the European Research Council (ERC), the Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions (#MSCA) and the European Innovation Council (#EIC) 🔸 calls for a vast increase and ringfencing of the #FP10 budget   However, LERU is concerned about:  🔸 the lack of details of certain new proposals 🔸 the disconnection with recent policy developments at the level of the European Commission   Read LERU's full analysis 👇

LERU Secretary-General Kurt Deketelaere comments: “The report of the Expert Group is almost fully in line with LERU’s FP10 paper and with the Letta and Draghi Reports, so from that point of view it is an interesting and important report, reinforcing a number of messages given previously. However, not surprisingly, the report does not connect with the recent policy developments at the level of the European Commission : the political guidelines for the new Commission indicate that the next multiannual financial framework (MFF) will be policy driven, not programme driven; the mission letter to R&I commissioner-designate, Ekaterina Zaharieva, does not mention the drafting of a next R&I framework programme, FP10; and the leaked DG Budget proposals for the next MFF suggest the bundling of different R&I funding sources in a European Competitiveness Fund (ECF). Therefore I repeat today my call on Commissioner Ivanova and Director-General Lemaîte to provide, as soon as possible, some clarity on the future of EU R&I funding and the role of the framework programme. LERU and many other stakeholders are very concerned with the rumours and the documents that are circulating. Some clarification on what to expect is urgently needed.”

In written responses to questions from the #European #Parliament published today ahead of her in-person hearing on 5 November, #Zaharieva lays out her preliminary vision for “a new and strengthened #Framework #Programme #10”, drawing on the recent #Draghi #report on EU #competitiveness and the conclusions of the Commission’s independent FP10 advisory group. Concerns were raised in the research community when President Ursula von der Leyen did not mention #FP10 in her mission letter to Zaharieva and a leaked memo revealed plans within the Commission’s budget directorate to incorporate a dozen R&I programmes into a single European #Competitiveness #Fund. Zaharieva’s answers to MEPs suggest there will be an overarching R&I programme to replace Horizon Europe, although this could still be placed within the Competitiveness Fund. She promises to work to increase research spending, enhance simplification, and “focus the Framework Programme more where it matters and has the highest European added value.” FP10 should provide simpler and faster access to EU funding, better alignment with EU policy priorities, enhance the use of artificial intelligence to inform and support participants, and increase the use of “simplified funding forms like lump sums and personnel unit costs” Zaharieva said. She also wants to increase SME participation and boost public-private partnerships.

“We need to really step up our game when it comes to research, innovation, science and technology,” Björnmalm said. But he stressed that if the proposal goes ahead, “It should be about putting research, innovation, science and technology at the heart of competitiveness.” Such a move would shift the EU away from debates about the specific budget for its traditional R&I programmes, he suggested. While the current programme has a budget of €93.5 billion for 2021-27, and many are calling for its successor to get €200bn, a more overarching fund could bring €1 trillion to €1.5tn into play, albeit with not all of that going to R&I. But Björnmalm added that he also saw “a lot of risks” in the proposal, and this more fearful response has been the more common one so far. -- Need for care -- As rumours swirled, the European Research Council’s president, Maria Leptin, told RPN she was worried that radical change would affect the autonomy of the ERC. Meanwhile, MEP Christian Ehler stressed that funding might “become more politicised”. “I agree that we should be very careful to consider these aspects as well; the core here is to make sure, even more than in the past, that leading researchers and innovators are in the driving seat when it comes to key science and technology efforts,” Björnmalm said. “Of course we want to have a very strong and even strengthened European Research Council (ERC), we want to have a more independent Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), a more independent European Innovation Council (EIC).” He added that “if you manage to put leading researchers and innovators as part of the implementing effort” and ease access to funding for beneficiaries, then R&I “can contribute across so many more areas” for the EU than it does today. If this leadership role can be secured, he said, “I think we should be very open to the opportunities that an exploration in this direction could provide us with.” Full details free-to-read in Research Professional 👇 https://lnkd.in/erkU34Rx

On 26 June 2024, the European Research and Innovation Area Committee (ERAC) adopted an Opinion on ‘Guidance for the next Framework Programme for R&I’. The Opinion represents the first official stance of the EU’s member states on the tenth Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (#FP10), in anticipation of the European Commission’s proposal in mid-2025. The European University Association (EUA) welcomes this document, which echoes many recommendations from the Association’s own vision for FP10. In its reaction to the Opinion, EUA highlights the recommendations that are of crucial importance for FP10 from the perspective of universities. The Association also offers additional suggestions to further strengthen these recommendations and encourages ERAC to better leverage its unique role in in actively contributing to FP10 budget discussions. https://bit.ly/3S6ZBg3 EUA especially welcomes the committee’s calls to: - Ensure more predictability and stability in the FP10 budget. 💶📊 - Provide a well-balanced mix of support for basic research, applied research and innovation ⚖️🔬💡 - Improve the consultation process with member states and stakeholders. 🗣️🤝 - Reduce the complexity of the programme by maximising the potential of existing instruments and evaluating the introduction of new measures. 🛠️📉 - Strengthen measures in attracting and retaining new talent and developing skills. 🌟👥 - Dedicate the FP10 budget exclusively to funding R&I. 🎓💰 - Reflect on the future role of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) and its links with other instruments. 🌐🏫 - Make synergies a priority in the design of EU funding programmes and strengthen alignment with national R&I funding. 🤝🔗 - Capitalise on the full potential for excellence across the EU. 🌟🇪🇺 - Ensure inclusive, diverse, open and strategic international cooperation in addressing global challenges. 🌍🤝 - Achieve greater simplification for applicants. ✍️📑 - Ensure greater efforts to embed knowledge valorisation across EU R&I ecosystems. 📚💡 - Strengthen the integration of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH). 🧠📖 #research #innovation #EUResearch #EIT #KnowledgeValorisation #ResearchImpactEU

IRANZ submission calls for support of IROs In a move to redefine New Zealand’s science, innovation, and technology (SIT) landscape, the Independent Research Association of New Zealand (IRANZ) made a compelling submission to the Science System Advisory Group (SSAG) chaired by Sir Peter Gluckman. The submission, part of the Phase 1 IRANZ input, outlines key policy recommendations aimed at broadening the recognition and support for Independent Research Organisations (IROs) within the country’s public research framework. During a meeting with IRANZ on 18 June, Sir Peter Gluckman acknowledged the importance of inclusive policies that support the diversity of New Zealand's research landscape, but said that change in the system was critical. “I think everybody agrees that the system as we have it is dated and needs change. In fact, in the 450 submissions between the two reviews, that was virtually the most common commentary that was made - that changes are needed,” Sir Peter remarked. “There'll be debate over the detail, but I think the bottom line, the key messages are not too dissimilar.” #IRANZ #iranzresearch #ScienceInnovation #Technology #IndependentResearch #NewZealandResearch #PublicResearch #SciencePolicy #IROs #ResearchSupport #ScienceSystem #SITLandscape #PolicyRecommendations #InnovationNZ #SirPeterGluckman #ResearchDiversity #ScienceSystemChange #ResearchRecognition https://lnkd.in/giQuZWJK

#Lunchtime post Research is a crucial part of innovation and growth. With that said, I'm thrilled to see my own Department (the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology) has published the Government's position on the next EU Research & Innovation Programme (FP10). The next Framework Programme will be critical in realising sustainable prosperity, competitiveness, and security in the EU, the UK, and other countries. Early engagement and thinking on #HorizonEurope is vital to this process. So this is brilliant to see. I was particularly interested to see the mention of the importance of excellence over the very core of the programme as well as how the entire research pipeline would be supported (from fundamental research to high Technology Readiness Level (TRL) innovation, which refers to the maturity of technology from the idea stage to the point where it's ready for commercialisation). I was also happy to see a fundamental place for discovery-led, curiosity-driven science of the type funded by the European Research Council (ERC) and the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), which so strongly contribute to international recognition of Europe's research strengths. As a early career researcher based in the UK, it also gives me a lot of hope that there are opportunities for likeminded colleagues to be a part of the wider European partnership on research. I know this will be of interest Philip Lewis and Dr Jamie Davies! #ResearchAndDevelopment #Research #HorizonEurope #Partnerships #Europe