Commission backs European Research Area

Plans to strengthen Europe's research base and make it easier for researchers to move between European jobs have taken a step forward with the launch of a discussion paper by the European Commission.

The Commission wants to create a 'common market' for research in Europe, in which people, funding and knowledge circulate more freely than at present.

"Our future depends on Europe becoming a true knowledge society," said Janez Potocnik, European science and research commissioner. "The European Research Area is the foundation on which this knowledge society must be built."

The green paper, called The European Research Area: New Perspectives, outlines six key areas for change. The first is to create an adequate flow of competent researchers, who can move between institutions, disciplines, sectors and countries with ease. They should have access to world-class research infrastructure, from wherever in the world they are working.

The green paper calls for excellent research institutions, engaged in effective public-private co-operation and partnerships, and promotes the idea that such institutions should aspire to become the core of physical or virtual clusters. It also suggests that many such clusters will focus on inter-disciplinary research.

Other aspects the paper focuses on include effective knowledge sharing, both between public research and industry, and with the public, and the value of co-ordinating research programmes, including creating projects that are funded at European level with common priorities, co-ordinated implementation and joint evaluation. The paper's last point is that, in the spirit of open innovation strategies, the European Research Area should be open to the world, especially neighbouring countries.

An on-line public consultation on the green paper opens on 1 May and runs until August 2007.

The green paper deliberately concentrates on issues the public sector can directly affect. A spokesperson for DG Research reiterated the importance of linking measures on the supply side and on regulation, which it can tackle, with the creation of demand for the fruits of research and innovation, which he asked industry to help with.

The Commission is already working on initiatives to tackle issues raised by the green paper. These initiatives include the creation of the European Research Council, the proposed formation of a European Institute of Technology, and better co-ordination of research programs through European technology platforms, ERA-NETs and national R&D targets.

To support the development of the European Research Area, the Commission has also released a policy document on improving knowledge transfer between research institutions and industry. This includes guidelines to help research institutions improve their links with industry, and draws on in the Responsible Partnering document and similar initiatives.