Open Letter to the European Commission on the Future of European Research and Innovation
The EU is currently planning its next long-term budget and the upcoming framework programme for research and innovation. Rector Dag Rune Olsen shares, in an open letter, ten points the Commission should take into account in its planning to support excellent research and competitiveness in Europe.
Dear Commissioners and Director-Generals,
As a leading institution in the Arctic region, the University of Tromsø - The Arctic University of Norway (UiT) has been a proud participant in the European Union's framework programmes for research and innovation. These programmes have significantly contributed to scientific advancement across Europe, fostering collaboration and innovation that transcend borders and address the shared challenges we are facing today.
Norway, while not an EU member, is associated with the Horizon Europe framework programme through the European Economic Area (EEA) agreement. This agreement ensures full access to the programmes for EEA countries, allowing us to contribute to and benefit from these initiatives. However, we are concerned that steps taken in response to geopolitical developments may hamper participation for associated countries or potentially contradicting the principles of the EEA agreement.
Third countries have contributed a significant amount to take part in the framework programme, which in the case of Horizon Europe corresponded to an estimated 20-30 % of the budget. As contributors and benefactors of the programme, we believe that in order to ensure continued participation from associated countries and their institutions, they should be actively involved in the strategic planning of FP10, its structure, financial mechanisms, and content.
In light of this, UiT respectfully submits the following considerations for the upcoming framework programme, FP10:
1. Increased Funding:
FP10 must see a significant increase in funding to understand and address our shared challenges, and enhance European competitiveness, from basic research to deployment and manufacturing. Reaching the 3% target is crucial for boosting Europe's leadership in scientific and technological advancements.
2. Ring-Fenced Budget for Research and Innovation:
A dedicated budget for research and innovation is essential to preserve the independence, predictability, and integrity of research activities. This aligns with the stipulations in art. 182 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union on the multiannual financial framework, ensuring that the framework programme delivers on its set objectives. A dedicated fund will support the key principle of academic freedom and stimulate research excellence.
3. Independence of the European Research Council (ERC):
Innovation begins with basic research. The ERC must remain autonomous, fostering research excellence through a competitive, bottom-up approach driven by the competition of ideas.
Market-ready innovation and technological development does not happen separately from basic research – it is dependent on it. To ensure crucial contributions in and from basic research, the financing through the ERC should be strengthened in the next framework programme.
4. Support the Innovation Ecosystem:
Innovation should be understood in a broad sense, encompassing technology, interdisciplinarity, intersectoral collaborations, and public-private partnerships. This approach strengthens the interconnectedness between universities and society, contributing to research and innovation developments that reflect societal needs and support economic growth. The European Innovation Council (EIC) is a tool to achieve this.
5. Emphasis on International Collaboration:
The collaborative research supported under pillar II must be continued and strengthened. This will ensure that the benefits of established collaborative networks are fully realized, addressing shared societal challenges effectively. Continued funding to the European University Alliances research activities can be a tool to foster new project collaborations across Europea and beyond.
6. The Importance of Social Sciences and Humanities:
Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) play a key role in our understanding of the world, and underscores our shared European values of democracy, freedom of speech, cultural understanding and societal development amongst others, and contributes to economic growth, as well as to the well-being of our citizens. SSH plays a defining role in innovation uptake and use in our society.
7. Continuation of Missions:
We encourage the continuation of Missions that address pressing societal challenges, fostering collaboration and innovation across disciplines and sectors. The missions operate on a scale that is unparalleled when it comes to bridging civil society, the R&I sector and the public sector.
8. Strengthening the Role of Universities in Regional Development:
Universities are increasingly contributing to broader societal and regional development – this is especially true in sparsely populated areas. Enhanced support of the universities will have cascading benefits for local communities, economic growth and regional cohesion.
9. Fund Research and Innovation Contributing to Security and Defence
Acknowledge and support dual-use research and technologies, contributing to security, preparedness, European resilience and strategic autonomy, in addition to boosting our competitive advantage. Cross-sectoral collaboration will greatly enhance these efforts. This also includes research in Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH). It is therefore necessary to address current regulations, infrastructural needs and practises to foster involvement from the university sector on sensitive technologies and dual-use research.
10. Remove Barriers for Participation
Application and reporting processes are associated with administrative demands that act as barriers to participate, preventing contributions of excellent ideas with significant potential to boost scientific advancements and European competitiveness.
We appreciate the opportunity to share our perspectives and look forward to continued collaboration to advance research and innovation across Europe, with all of Europe.
Sincerely,
Dag Rune Olsen,
Rector, UiT - The Arctic University of Norway
