Networking Research in EuropeMr Neil Williams
Head of the Physical and Engineering Sciences Unit
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www.esf.org2
Setting Science Agendas for Europe
The European Science Foundation provides a common platform for its Member Organisations in order to:
•advance European research
•explore new directions for research at the European level
Through its activities, the ESF serves the needs of the European research community in a global context.
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www.esf.org3
ESF Member Organisations
ESF is an independent association of 79 Member Organisations research funding organisations research performing organisations academies and learned societies
in 30 countries
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www.esf.org
ERCERC
ESF and partners in the ERA: pluralism
Research Research InstitutesInstitutes AcademiesAcademies
NationalNationalFunding Funding
OrganisationsOrganisations
ALLEAALLEA
EURO-EURO-HORCsHORCs
PrivatePrivateFoundationsFoundations
EMBOEMBO
CERNCERN
ESOESO
ESAESA
UniversitiesEUA
EC – FPEC – FP
ERABERAB
EuroscienceEuroscienceHFSPHFSP
European AssociationsEuropean Associations
ISEISE
Academia EuropaeaAcademia Europaea
www.esf.org
About ESF
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• Established in 1974
• Offices in Strasbourg, Brussels, Ostend
• ESF budget: 23M€ in 2008 (GB ~13M€) ex-COST
• Staff: ~100 in 2008 ex-COST
ESF headquarters, Strasbourg
Marine Board, Ostend
Research Conferences Unit, 15th floor, Tour Louise, Brussels
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www.esf.org6
ExploratoryWorkshopsExploratoryWorkshops
Member Organisation ForaMember Organisation Fora
Science PolicyBriefings
Science PolicyBriefings
ResearchConferences
ResearchConferences
Research Networking Programmes
Research Networking Programmes
Forward LooksForward Looks
Implementing agent for the COST office
through EC contract
Implementing agent for the COST office
through EC contract
SCIENCESTRATEGYSCIENCE
STRATEGYSCIENCE
MANAGEMENT
SCIENCEMANAGEMEN
T
Strategic Plan 2006-2010Strategic Plan 2006-2010
SCIENCESYNERGYSCIENCESYNERGY
Coordination ofERA projects
Coordination ofERA projects
Peer Reviewsupport
Peer Reviewsupport
Coordination ofEUROHORCs projects
Coordination ofEUROHORCs projects
EUROCORES Research
Programmes
EUROCORES Research
Programmes
ESF ActivitiesESF Activities
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A Chain of Instruments
Exploratory
Workshops
Exploratory
Workshops
ConferencesConferences
Forward
Looks
Forward
Looks
RNPsRNPs
EUROCORESEUROCORES
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Forward Looks
• Medium - long term scientific perspectives
• Multidisciplinary topics viewed at a European level
• Bring together scientists with policy makers
• Wide consultation
• Result in major reports and actionplans
www.esf.org/flooks
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Forward Looks
• No Closing Dates: suggestions to ESF Committees
• Suggestions developed with MOs• Approved by Science Advisory Board and
Governing Council• ~k€250 each over 2 years• Examples:
– Science and Society; – Mathematics and Industry; – Food and Safety; – Perspectives for Nuclear Physics in Europe
www.esf.org/flooks
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• One-off specialist meetings
• Spearheading topics
• ‘Bottom-up’ topics based on open calls
• Should catalyse significant and strategic activities, other actions, at European level
• 25-30 scientists involved
• ESF grant per event 14k€
www.esf.org/workshops
Exploratory Workshops
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• Annual Call• Early March to late April 2010• Decision By November • Workshops in 2011
• 200-300 proposals per Call• 40 awards for 2010 Workshops
• Co-funding welcomewww.esf.org/workshops
Exploratory Workshops
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• The science community and Funders submit their ideas for a large-scale collaborative research programme
• International and joint peer review
• Research funding remains national
• Networking funded through ESF
• 5-6 new Programme Calls a year.
• CRPs (Projects) – single science case with minimum 3 eligible PIs from 3 participating countries.
www.esf.org/eurocores
EUROCORES(European Collaborative Research Programmes)
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• Annual Call for Themes
• Call Open mid March - late May 2010
• Quality selected and financially viable themes launched as Programmes by Calls for proposals in December 2010
• Research projects start March 2012
• Typical duration 3-4 years
• ~ 30 Programmes ~ 65+ agencies ~ 180 projects ~130M€+
www.esf.org/eurocores
EUROCORES(European Collaborative Research Programmes)
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• Networking to enable major scientific endeavours over a four or five-year period
• Supported by ESF MOs through additional à la carte funding
• Typically include workshops, conferences,inter-laboratory exchanges, fellowship programmes, summer schools and dissemination
• Can link to other initiatives, including the EC Framework Programme
• Financing in the range of 100k€ - 130k€ per annum
www.esf.org/programmes
Research Networking Programmes
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• Annual Call• 2010 Call postponed • RNPs starting ~ 1 year after submission• Core’ Steering Group of 8-12 scientists ~
one per participating country• Research Quality and added value of
European networking• 10-15 launched per year• 50-60 total – > 50% in PESC• Success rates 10-15%• Can include non-ESF MO funders
www.esf.org/programmes
Research Networking Programmes
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Research Conferences
• Interdisciplinary scheme for Europe implemented in collaboration with high-profile partners
• Stimulate dialogue between early-stage researchers and scientific leaders worldwide
• Cover the latest topics, proposed by and for the scientific community
• Full organisational support by ESF conference organisers
• Grants of 20-60k€ per conference, including support earmarked for early-stage researchers
www.esf.org/conferences
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Research Conferences
• Themed partnerships • Potential conference chairs submit
proposals within a partnership theme• 30-40 per year• 100-200 participants• Call mid January – mid September 2010
for conferences in 2012• Call for new Partnerships Open
www.esf.org/conferences
www.esf.org
European CoCooperation in Science and Technology
Intergovernmental Framework, governedby its Member States• Origin:
– Started 1971: Ministerial Conference, - 19 Member States
• Current Participation:– 2009: 35 COST Member States +
1 cooperating state (Israel)
• COST Actions:– Concerted Actions of nationally funded
R&D projects– Open networks on a global scale
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www.esf.org
European CoCooperation in Science and Technology
www.cost.esf.org
• The Committee of Senior Officials (CSO) is the main decision-making body responsible for the strategic development of COST
• ~250 Actions current
• Between 65 and 300k€ pa over 4 years
• Meetings, workshops, conferences, short term scientific visits, training schools.
• Open call with collection dates of 27 March and 25 September 2009
• ~ 9 month decision path
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Open Calls for Proposals
ESF issues annual open calls for proposals for:
•EUROCORES themes and projects
•Research Networking Programmes
•Exploratory Workshops
•Research Conferences
www.esf.org/calls
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European Science Foundation1 quai Lezay-MarnésiaBP 9001567080 Strasbourg cedexFrance
+33 3 88 76 71 00
www.esf.org/pesc
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