|
International
vs. national research programmes – the need of synergy
Dr. Jacek Gierlinski,
Director, Department of European Integration, Ministry of Science and
Information Society Technologies, Warsaw, Poland
Prof. Dr. Jerzy Marian Langer,
Deputy
Minister, Ministry of Science and
Information Society Technologies, Warsaw, Poland
Abstract:
This paper addresses the issue of collaboration of researchers in Europe
and the need of synergy between various programmes at their disposal, especially
those of Framework Programmes. We argue
that the challenges before contemporary society could be best addressed on the
basis of knowledge, as postulated in a vision for Europe, set by the Lisbon agenda and
process. Despite the recent changes
the Lisbon agenda has undergone, namely focusing on growth, sustainable
development and R&D, the identified approach based on an open method of
coordination OMC is still the best operational choice.
For many Member States the key lubricant for collaboration are the EU
Framework Programmes, even though
their funds represent only about 5% of the combined research budgets of EU
Member States. Drawing from the
conclusions of the Marimon Report as well as from direct experiences of the new
Member States we argue, however, that underutilisation of the available human
resources is still a major flaw. Therefore
a “full” utilisation of these resources should be a strategic objective of
the EU’s science policy for the forthcoming FP7.
The paper examines various instruments available in FP6 and compares them with
those foreseen in FP7. The
direction of changes, culminating in the definition of the four specific
programmes, is satisfactory. In
particular, from the collaboration perspective, two aspects warrant mentioning,
namely support for frontier research, and the associated creation of the ERC,
and co-financing of national research programmes.
The first one will undoubtedly enhance the quality of science in Europe,
and will encourage collaboration at the research-team level. The second one targets systemic aspects of the European
science sector, and should contribute not only to greater integration within the
ERA, but also to improvement of national science systems in many Member States.
|
