EU Commission reports on main concerns of European research players

While the development of large-scale research infrastructures that are too costly for one European Union member state to support alone is seen as a role for the EU, countries do not seem particularly enthusiastic about the place for a truly European Research Area (ERA), according to the findings of a European Commission study.

Careers and mobility, international cooperation, research infrastructures, joint programing and knowledge sharing are today's main concerns of European research actors, according to a report just published by the European Commission. The report draws on over 1,000 responses to a public consultation on the Green Paper, entitled The European Research Area: New Perspectives published in April 2007 (Marketletters passim). The responses show strong overall support to further consolidate the European Research Area through new and more ambitious actions at all levels in the EU - regional, national and transnational.

"The Seventh Framework Program 2007-2013 with a total budget of 54.0 billion euros ($85.96 billion) for European research is now in full swing, but the public consultation shows this is not enough. Structural weaknesses prevent Europe from exploiting the full potential of its overall research capability and require further action either at national or European levels, or both. We must sustain our efforts to realize the European Research Area. At an informal meeting last week, research ministers reaffirmed the fundamental role of ERA as an engine for driving the competitiveness of Europe. They also acknowledged that Europe now needs to develop a common vision and a better political governance of ERA," said the European Commissioner for Science and Research, Janez Potocnik on April 24.