ENHANCING INTERNATIONALLY COMPETITIVE RESEARCH IN EUROPE’S UNIVERSITIES KEY MESSAGES FROM PS7

ISSUE 1. CREATING A MORE COMPETITIVE RESEARCH FUNDING ENVIRONMENT ISSUE 2. RECRUITING AND TRAINING A NEW GENERATION OF WORLD CLASS RESEARCHERS ISSUE 3. UNIVERSITIES AS THE OPTIMAL ENVIRONMENT FOR ENHANCING THE DYNAMISM OF THE EUROPEAN RESEARCH BASE

ISSUE 4. NETWORKING BETWEEN UNIVERSITIES, NON-UNIVERSITY CENTRES AND INDUSTRY ISSUE 5. ENHANCING UNIVERSITY AUTONOMY AND FLEXIBILITY

ISSUE 1. CREATING A MORE COMPETITIVE RESEARCH FUNDING ENVIRONMENT 1. High rates of return on investment in research 2. Two major competitive deficits in Europe: The relative decay of basic research The new talent into research 3. Need for a Common Market in research.

4. Vital processes to enhance the dynamism and competitiveness of European research: a major funding stream to support basic research allocated, on the sole criterion of excellence a powerful stream of long-term advanced fellowships, allocated on the basis of personal excellence alone, and located wherever desired by the holder (including in industry)

ERC as a potential instrument at the European level 1. An ERC must aim high or not at all, and must, therefore: - represent a Europe-level additionality; - fund basic research; - have sufficient funding to make a major impact; - allocate funds exclusively on the basis of excellence; - be an autonomous body, accountable to its sponsors, but not directed by them - evaluate proposals by peer review; - not take away funds from existing national funding processes.

2. Public spending on basic research must be provided at the outset. 3. Long term planning of ERC is needed to adequately plan for the future. 4. Achieving the 3% of GDP target will require an average 1% increase in current spending.

ISSUE 2. RECRUITING AND TRAINING A NEW GENERATION OF WORLD CLASS RESEARCHERS Advanced fellowships should be created with two key objectives: 1) to attract and retain the best research talent from Europe and the rest of the world 2) to set new standards of attainment for European research, and for the large growth in research manpower implied by the Lisbon 3% objective.

It is essential to: 1 recruit early on (secondary level) 2 provide excellence in training (Europe is good vv US) 3 guide career development 4 improve working conditions 5 provide financial benefits 6 stimulate peer recognition

Europe has good models: EMBL international fellowships UK Royal Society Research Fellowship scheme

ISSUE 3. UNIVERSITIES AS THE OPTIMAL ENVIRONMENT FOR ENHANCING THE DYNAMISM OF THE EUROPEAN RESEARCH BASE 1.Research-intensive universities must play a crucial role in regenerating Europe’s research base, because: othey offer a uniquely broad range of research that can be reconfigured to address new problems, as well as a vital capacity for interdisciplinarity; othey are most cost-effective than independent research institutes; oit is most cost-effective to fund research in research- intensive institutions.

2. Centres capable of playing the pivotal research-intensive role 3. Diversity of mission and strong networking

ISSUE 4. NETWORKING BETWEEN UNIVERSITIES, NON-UNIVERSITY CENTRES AND INDUSTRY Europe’s university system should consist of a diverse spectrum of institutions. Natural complementarity should be the basis for networks of institutions. Only in this way can efficiencies of scale and integration be achieved that can compete globally.

The necessary development of research-intensive universities should be associated with processes of networking along three axes: between universities; between universities and major non-university centres of expensive infrastructure and national laboratories; between universities and industry, and private and public policy agencies.

ISSUE 5. ENHANCING UNIVERSITY AUTONOMY AND FLEXIBILITY Universities need: More autonomy Greater financial flexibility This will enable universities to play to their strengths in response to the needs of society, research and research training.

Summary – key points PriorityPolicy response Basic researchERC National programs Real international excellenceCompetition without political overtones Research to support teachingSeparate funding – national Attraction of research careersGraduate schools (PhD) Postdoc programs/fellowships with free mobility Diversity of universities (excellence in diversity) Autonomy of universities Drivers (EU, National, Regional) Coupling with usersRegional development plans Technology transfer system