Towards an Pan-European Research Information System The ESF Perspective and Approach Dr. Alexis-Michel Mugabushaka Science Officer in CEO Unit, ESF EuroCRIS Seminar 2006 : Brussels, 12.Sept.2006

2 A work in progress The presentation is about a “work in progress”. The views are thus those of the author and do reflect neither the views nor the policies of the European Science Foundation Board. It shows partially the „directions“ of a joint project of EUROHORCs and ESF.

3 Outline of the presentation About ESF Information Management in research organizations : From lists to Systems (CRIS) A bird’s eye view on current systems A Pan European CRIS: ESF Approach

4 Outline of the presentation About ESF Information Management in research organizations : From lists to Systems (CRIS) A bird’s eye view on current systems A Pan European CRIS: ESF Approach

5 Outline of the presentation About ESF Information Management in research organizations : From lists to Systems (CRIS) A bird’s eye view on current systems A Pan European CRIS: ESF Approach

6 Outline of the presentation About ESF Information Management in research organizations : From lists to Systems (CRIS) A bird’s eye view on current systems A Pan European CRIS: ESF Approach

7 About ESF 78 Member Organisations in 30 countries, beyond the European Union. Research funding organisations Research performing organisations Academies

8 About ESF ESF provides a common platform for our Member Organisations (MOs) in order to: Advance European research Explore new directions for research at the European level Through our activities, we serve the needs of the European research community in a global context.

9 About ESF Information Management in research organizations : From lists to Systems (CRIS) A bird’s eye view on current systems A Pan European CRIS: ESF Approach

10 Changing context „Annual reports“ Growing demand –Accountability /Evaluation Changing expectations from the stakeholders Pressure for efficiency

11 Changing context Researchers : transnational funding opportunities; cooperation partners; access the results Research organisations : Programmes; Activity portfolio; cooperation ”science society contract” : policy makers; the public at large ICT advances from lists to CRIS

12 Outline of the presentation About ESF Information Management in research organizations : From lists to Systems (CRIS) A bird’s eye view on current systems A Pan European CRIS: ESF Approach

13 CRIS in ESF MO Cases studies Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft => GEPRIS Slovenian Science Foundation(SSF) => SICRIS Swiss National Science Foundation => ”project databases” CNRS => Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) => ”Grants on Web” Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) => ”Grants on the Web”

14 CRIS in ESF MO Common ground Aims and basic functionality Target (including international audience ) Search possibilities Diversity in the approaches Standalone / embedded in the internal information systems (embedded linked) Scope: National vs. Institutional coverage Complexity : search engines / reporting tools Information of information e.g. Grants sum / results

15 Outline of the presentation About ESF Information Management in research organizations : From lists to Systems (CRIS) A bird’s eye view on current systems A Pan European CRIS: ESF Approach

16 Pan European CRIS Context ERANET blurs the borders ERANETING : increasingly joint programmes => joint management / reporting Approach under Discussion Linking up ”existing systems” Two possible ”Areas” (Needs articulated by ESF MO) –Integrated Research Information System –Integrated Grant Management System (for joint programmes, sharing information e.g. On reviewers )

17 Pan European CRIS Integrated Research Information System Integrated Grant Management System embedded or linked ? for joint programmes, sharing information e.g. On reviewers

18 Structured data model Challenge: CERIF as a Layer to CERIF and Non CERIF Systems CERIF to accomodate data models with variable geometry –Data : Not a ”common minimum” but ”Core + electives” CERIF : research information + grant management (linked ? Embedded ?)

19 Pan European CRIS CRIS 1CRIS 2 CRIS 3 CRIS 4 CRIS 5 CERIF Integrated Research Information System PAN EUROPEAN CRIS

20 Critical issues Not about technology Agreement / Mandate of MO Framing the issues –Evolving system : “not everything at once“ Acceptance and Use –Balance between “User driven” and “build-it-they- will-come” Approach “Thinking” the process –Make sure that researchers enter information only once

21 Next steps -11.October.2006 assessing together with EUROHORCs the feasibility of an Pan European CRIS -ESF Member Forum on research information systems & grant management systems

Thank you for your attention