Current issues in the scientific cooperation in Europe.

Area of Science:

• Scientific collaboration
• European research funding
• Research policy

Background:

• Horizon calls exhibit excessive bureaucracy and complexity, impeding European research cooperation.
• European Union funding agencies prioritize competitiveness but overlook the link between scientific publishing and enhanced competitiveness.
• Current fund distribution mechanisms inadequately recognize the value of scientific publications.

Discussion:

• The current structure of Horizon calls may inadvertently discourage international scientific collaboration.
• A disconnect exists between the stated goal of fostering competitiveness and the practicalities of research funding allocation.
• The emphasis on competitiveness within EU funding frameworks does not sufficiently leverage the impact of scientific output.

Key Insights:

• Bureaucracy in EU research funding acts as a barrier to effective scientific cooperation.
• Under-valuing scientific publications in funding decisions negatively impacts research competitiveness.
• There is a perceived misalignment between EU funding policies and the needs of the scientific community.

Outlook:

• Reforming Horizon call processes to reduce bureaucracy is essential for boosting European research cooperation.
• Funding allocation should better reflect the value of scientific publications to enhance overall research competitiveness.
• Addressing these issues may restore UK researchers' confidence in European collaborative research initiatives.