On the basis of the vision, targets, indicators, monitoring and evaluation criteria will be established to enable an efficient follow-up of ERA developments. Progress will be regularly discussed and steered at the level of Ministers.

Council Conclusions:
Council Conclusions on the launch of the “Ljubljana Process" - towards full realisation of ERA 30 May 2008

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Council Conclusions:
Council Conclusions on the definition of a "2020 Vision for the European Research Area", 2 December 2008

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Speech Janez Potočnik
Competitiveness Council makes headway on the European Research Area

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Improving the mobility of researchers will enhance the diffusion of knowledge throughout Europe, balance demand and supply for researchers at European level, help create centres of excellence and improve the skills of researchers in Europe. Improving career prospects for researchers in Europe will stimulate more young people to embark on a research career, help retain researchers in Europe and attract more talented non-European researchers. The partnership will aim to accelerate progress in key areas including social security, competition based trans-national recruitment and portability of funding, employment and working conditions and training and skills.

Commission Communication:

Better careers and more mobility: a European partnership for researchers – COM (2008) 317

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Commission staff working document

Impact assessment: accompanying document to the communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament.

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Council Conclusions:

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Press release:

Boosting a European Single Labour Market for Researchers: the Commission proposes a new partnership with Member States

List of members of the Steering Group on Human Resources and Mobility (SGHRM)

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FAQ

Questions and Answers on the European Partnership for Researchers

In order to stay at the leading edge of knowledge creation, Europe will need many new research infrastructures in the coming years. Many of these have already been identified through the ESFRI process. The role of the Member States will remain central to the development and financing of major new infrastructures. But national legal instruments are unlikely to provide an adequate basis for establishing future pan-European research infrastructures. The implementation of such infrastructures would therefore be facilitated by bringing forward a proposal to establish a legal framework for their construction and operation.

Regulation:

Council regulation on the Community legal framework for a European Research Infrastructure (ERI) – COM (2008) 467

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Commission staff working document

Impact assessment: accompanying document to the proposal for a Council regulation on the Community legal framework for a European Research Infrastructure (ERI)

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Summary of the impact assessment

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Council Conclusions:

Council Conclusions on "European Research Infrastructures and their regional dimension", Competitiveness Council of 29-30 May 2008

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Council Conclusions:

Outcome of proceedings of the Council (Competitiveness) on 21-22 May 2007 - Council Conclusions on Research Infrastructures in the European Research Area

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Press release:

Commission proposes a legal framework for European Research Infrastructures

Memo:

Commission proposes a legal framework for European Research Infrastructures – Q & A

List of members of the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI)

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The objective is to facilitate and promote the optimal use of intellectual property created in public research organisations to increase both knowledge transfer to industry and the socio-economic benefits resulting from publicly funded research. The Recommendation will include a Code of Practice to promote the professional management of intellectual property in the European Research Area within research organisations and to become a reference for cooperation and/or negotiation between research organisations and industry. The Commission Recommendation was welcomed by the Council of the European Union which adopted a Council Resolution on 30 May 2008.

Commission recommendation:

on the management of intellectual property in knowledge transfer activities and Code of Practice for universities and other public research organisations – C(2008) 1329

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Council Resolution:

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List of members of the CREST Working Group on Knowledge Transfer

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The Lisbon Strategy for growth and jobs in the European Union calls for an increase of both public and private investment in research. However, in times of tight budgets and global competition it is hard to invest more and the share of GDP invested in public research programmes has stagnated, in the EU27, to some 1% of GDP through the last decade. If we cannot do more, we must do better and make sure that the design and focus of research programmes make them efficient and effective.

European national research programmes are amongst the first and best in the world, but they are not able to tackle some of today's major societal challenges. This is mainly because they are developed and implemented in an isolated way, on a national basis. 85% of European public research funding is invested in programmes conceived, developed and implemented nationally without any transnational coordination or competition. Only 15% is invested through intergovernmental organisations (such as CERN) or programmes such as EUREKA, or programmed jointly in the Community's Research Framework Programme. The lack of cross border programme collaboration has made it difficult to address such common challenges jointly.

This is why the 2008 Spring European Summit called on the Commission and Member States to explore the potential of Joint Programming, asking for joint activities to be launched in 2010.

Therefore, on 15th July 2008 the Commission adopted a Communication on Joint Programming between EU Member States of their public research programmes entitled "Towards Joint Programming in Research: Working together to tackle common challenges more effectively".

Objective of the Joint Programming Communication

The overall aim of this Communication is to propose a new approach to more effectively tackle common European challenges in a few key areas: making better use of Europe's precious public R&D resources by pooling national research efforts.

What is Joint Programming?

A structured and strategic process whereby Member States agree, through a voluntary and à la carte process, common visions and strategic research agendas to addressing major societal challenges. The aim is to foster a structuring effect so as to increase the efficiency and impact of public research funding.

How will it work?

The Commission proposes the launch of a process that will combine a strategic framework, a bottom up approach and high level commitment from Member States. Joint Programming will build on the experience gained from existing schemes coordinating national programmes e.g. the ERA-NET scheme and initiatives based on Article 169 (and to some extent Article 171) of the Treaty, as well as from the agenda setting practices of European Technology Platforms.

The Commission proposal entails a High Level Group consisting of nominees from Member States to identify suitable Joint Programming areas, following a thorough consultation of stakeholders. Based on the result of this High Level Group, the Council, upon recommendation by the Commission, will select the few areas in which to launch the first Joint Programming Initiatives. Not all Member States may wish to participate in all initiatives.

Once the initiatives have been identified, they should start with:

• Developing a vision for the area;

• Defining a Strategic Research Agenda (SRA) and SMART [Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant (to the objective of the Joint Programming Initiative) and Time-Bound] objectives; and

• Preparing for implementation of the SRA by undertaking an option analysis and impact assessment. The best mix of instruments to be used in implementing the individual Joint Programming initiatives is for the participating Member States to decide.

The role of the Commission

The Commission proposes to act as the secretary to the High Level Group and, under the supervision of the Council, monitor the overall Joint Programming process.

Timetable

• 15th July 2008: Adoption of the Communication "Towards Joint Programming in research: Working together to tackle common challenges more effectively"

• 26th September 2008: The Commission invited the Council to endorse this Communication.

• December 2008: The Council will adopt its conclusions, possibly defining the way forward.

• Summer 2009: The High Level Group will recommend the areas identified for Joint Programming.

• December 2009: Areas are identified for Joint Programming.

It should then be possible to achieve the objective set by the 2008 Spring European Council: to launch common strategic activities, such as joint calls for proposals involving multi-national teams of researchers, by the end of 2010.

Useful documents

Commission Communication:

Towards Joint Programming in research:

Working together to tackle common challenges more effectively – COM (2008) 468

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Commission staff working document

Impact assessment: accompanying document to the communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions.

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Summary of the impact assessment

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Council Conclusions:

Conclusions concerning joint programming of research in Europe in response to the major societal challenges

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Press release:

Public Research: Common problems need common solutions! Commission proposes to Member States to jointly address major societal challenges

Memo:

Public Research: Common problems need common solutions! Commission proposes to Member States to jointly address big societal challenges – Q & A

Citizen Summary:

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List of members of the High level Group on Joint Programming (GPC)

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One of the overriding features of the research landscape is the increasing globalisation of R&D. Cooperation based on mutual benefit with third countries is crucial to the Community's scientific, political and economic objectives. However, the efforts of the Member States and the Commission are often not well coordinated and lead to duplication of activities. It is therefore necessary to agree on and implement a common policy framework for international S&T cooperation.

Commission communication:
Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament. A strategic European Framework for International Science and Technology Cooperation - COM (2008) 588

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Council Conclusions:

Conclusions concerning a European partnership for international scientific and technological cooperation

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Press release:

Putting Europe high on the global map of science and technology: Commission advocates new international strategy

List of members

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