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Framework conditions for research Horizon 2020 provides the framework for solving some of the introduced in the existing schemes. Among others, a widely under- major societal challenges Europe faces. The focus of this report is stood taxonomy for research careers across Europe will improve the research foundation, pathways, and contributions necessary to scientifi c cooperation. solve those challenges. While analysing which research is needed and how it should be prioritised, issues regarding the organisa- STAKEHOLDER INVOLVEMENT tional conditions under which the research is to be carried out must There is a need to improve the transfer of knowledge from research also be considered. One recurring issue is the need for simplifying and science communities to commercial stakeholders and the the Framework Programme, but other topics also arose concerning general public. Therefore, the interaction among research centres, framework conditions for carrying out research in societal chal- institutions, governmental bodies and industry must be further lenges. Some of the key fi ndings are listed below. increased. Networking programmes that put together scientists and stakeholders must be renewed and implemented to promote the AN OPEN PROGRAMME AND A GLOBAL CONTEXT exchange of knowledge and to valorise research on national level. A global approach must be encouraged and mechanisms must Stakeholders need to be involved, not only in terms of dissemina- be put into place to support an international approach for both tion and impact, but at all stages of research. Stakeholders should research and innovative applications. Strong coupling instruments include members of NGOs and the voluntary sector as well as rep- are required to link the best disciplinary research groups with resentatives of government and industry. More fl exible ways to in- each other to enable seamless communication and to promote volve stakeholders during the projects should be pursued. Research synergies. Ideally the ability of researchers in the member states should always have the potential for surprise so the assessment to collaborate should not be subject to restrictions in order to criteria must always reward novelty and accept that all the potential allow the most excellent minds to work together. Transnational impacts will not be known a priori. Openness between stakehold- cooperation should be strongly encouraged in Horizon 2020 and ers should be encouraged and facilitated. Excessive secrecy and synergies between national programmes should be facilitated. rights agreements as the fi rst prerequisite for any collaboration are Moreover, this collaboration should be set in a global context killing innovation. A condition for getting an activity funded should utilising the value of working in partnership with research com- be that communication and the exchange of ideas be carried out in munities around the world. an open atmosphere. When the free exchange of information and ideas is achieved, the most interesting results are obtained. Patent CROSS-DISCIPLINARITY policies should be reconsidered to motivate scientists to innovate. The pronounced need for multidisciplinary and crosscutting ap- Intellectual property rights issues and success payment should be proaches, especially with regard to societal challenges, emphasises addressed on a European scale. More innovation and diffusion of how essential it is to develop new and appropriate instruments research results can be achieved through better networking and without increasing the administrative burden. For this purpose the stronger links between supply and demand. Commission may fi nd useful models and concepts already imple- mented in member states, e.g. instruments for academia-industry STRONGER ROLE FOR UNIVERSITIES collaboration that includes both research and innovation. Here, ex- The potential of university-based research and education needs to be amples could be the Top Institute model (the Netherlands), the CTI mobilised, in terms of researchers, thousands of people remain an model (Switzerland) and the recent SPIR model (Denmark) – and untapped resource. The research efforts of individual member states also concepts in the EIT/KIC initiative would be relevant. need to be better integrated and coordinated on a European level. Incentives furthering cross-disciplinary research, including both EDUCATION AND TRAINING natural and social sciences, must be introduced. Researchers A major threat to European leadership in research resides in the should be encouraged to engage with stake-holders to produce decreasing attractiveness in several European countries of this science, which most effi ciently can be made relevant for society. fi eld for students. Europe should improve its attractiveness by tak- Programmes and systems, particularly at universities, should be ing proactive decisions and promoting the training of students in encouraged to achieve this. New entrepreneurial approaches at experimental approaches and in data-based decision making very universities should be encouraged to foster connections between early at school as well as by leading a strong effort to propose research centres and universities with problem solving approaches. attractive careers, research positions, and create career paths for young researchers. Efforts must also be made to develop an intense INCREASED INTERACTION – NETWORKING AND MOBILITY communication programme for researchers to present their results to Europe needs a strong new generation of researchers trained to the widest audience possible in all media. Effi cient innovation and tackle the different aspects of research. Critical in this training dissemination of results through integration in education should be programme is cross-disciplinary and international mobility. The encouraged. In addition, training in the development of research Marie Curie Actions is very important in this respect and should policy and agendas is also important. be sustained. The mobility of scientists, students among research institutions and industry should be reinforced and greater fl exibility 83


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