Initiative for Science in Europe presents recommendations for Horizon Europe and FP10

The Initiative for Science in Europe (ISE) has published several position papers including recommendations for Horizon Europe and FP10. ISE is an independent platform of European Learned Societies and Research Organisations supporting all fields of science at a European level to engage in European science strategies and policies. The most recent position paper provides ISE's answers to four questions on Horizon Europe and FP10 by the European Commission's High Level Group, chaired by Manuel Heitor, and was published in July 2024. As the most important innovations to be considered in a future FP, ISE identified the following:

• Add Research Actions in Pillar 2 to create an upwards R&I spiral. Make collaborative basic research an intrinsic component.
• Policy makers must define the goals but not the pathways.
• Build, prepare and motivate the next generation of researchers.
• Encourage / request the transfer of funds from programmes in other DGs when actions are transferred from these to the FP.
• Increase trust in and flexibility for beneficiaries.

A previous ISE position, published in October 2023, includes as its main recommendations for Horizon Europe and FP10:

• Shield Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions and the European Research Council
• Boost collaborative basic research to complete the Research & Innovation cycle in Pillar 2
• The Widening challenge - facilitate access to the three Pillars in HE
• Without Researchers no Research
• Why consulting European academic associations can help policy makers.

The ISE Annex on ‘Boosting collaborative basic research’ was published at the end of May 2024 including:

• The R&I cycle in Pillar 2 of Horizon Europe
• TRL analysis of Horizon 2020 Work Programmes by LERU (2016) and ISE (2020 internal)
• Impact of former collaborative basic research at EU level – examples from various disciplines.
• Suggestions for broad call headings for collaborative basic research at EU level – examples from various disciplines
• Industry support for collaborative basic research at EU level.

The three papers can be downloaded here:

• ISE answers to four questions from the HLG on the Framework Programmes Horizon Europe and FP10, 18.7.2024
• ISE Annex on Boost collaborative basic research in HE and FP10, 29.5.2024
• ISE Main Recommendations for Horizon Europe and FP10, 26.10.2023

See also ERA Portal Austria - compilation of position papers on the next Framework Programme.