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Germany Could Spend Part of Its €500B Stimulus Package Attracting US Scientists

Germany Could Spend Part of Its €500B Stimulus Package Attracting US Scientists

Germany could spend some of its €500 billion infrastructure and climate package attracting US scientists, according to a leading figure in its incoming government. Meanwhile, the country is pondering if and how it could poach disaffected researchers.

Serbia's Academics Outraged over Limits to Research, Disappointed by EU Response

Serbia's Academics Outraged over Limits to Research, Disappointed by EU Response

Academics in Serbia are up in arms over a sudden move by the government to limit the time university lecturers can spend on research. Previously allowed to spend 20 hours a week on research, they will now be limited to just five hours.Critics of the new regulation point out that the move effectively invalidates the official accreditation of all public universities in Serbia, since this requires university staff to reserve half their working hours for research.

China Leads EU and US on Using Artificial Intelligence in Science

China Leads EU and US on Using Artificial Intelligence in Science

Chinese scientists have incorporated artificial intelligence into their work more rapidly than their EU or US counterparts, a European Commission analysis has found, bolstering the case for the bloc to speed up adoption. 

Commission Pushes to Water Down Gender Mainstreaming in Horizon Europe

Commission Pushes to Water Down Gender Mainstreaming in Horizon Europe

The European Commission wants to water down gender mainstreaming requirements in Horizon Europe despite facing resistance from member states and research stakeholders. The changes proposed by the Commission are set to come into effect in 2025, with member states invited to endorse the revamped rules in a vote on the whole Horizon Europe work programme for the year.

Swiss Take Further Step Towards Horizon Europe Association

Swiss Take Further Step Towards Horizon Europe Association

Switzerland's Federal Council has signed off an agreement that will allow the country to join Horizon Europe, another step towards ending a diplomatic stalemate over association that has dragged on since 2021. On April 9, the council approved the EU Programmes Agreement, which allows association to Horizon Europe, the Euratom atomic research programme and the Digital Europe Programme. 

Trump's Attack on US Universities is an Attack on All Universities

Trump's Attack on US Universities is an Attack on All Universities

This year marks the 80th anniversary of one of the most influential science policy papers ever published: "Science: the Endless Frontier," a report by presidential advisor Vannevar Bush that served as the blueprint for the post-WWII rise of the US as the world's leader in scientific research, innovation and education. Bush famously wrote: 

New Widening Tools to Target Research Collaboration and Management

New Widening Tools to Target Research Collaboration and Management

Further details have emerged about measures intended to boost the research and innovation performance of lagging member states in the final years of Horizon Europe. These tools will be deployed in parallel with a review of the Widening programme.

Director Angelika Kalt Steps Down After 17 Years at the SNSF

Director Angelika Kalt Steps Down After 17 Years at the SNSF

A new chapter has begun at the SNSF with the retirement of its Director, Angelika Kalt. Over the past 17 years, she has played a central role in developing the institution and tackling the challenges it faces.

EU Should Attract More US Scientists, MEPs Say

EU Should Attract More US Scientists, MEPs Say

Many MEPs have called on the Commission to increase efforts to attract US scientists affected by budget cuts and political interference in academia and research. They see the current geopolitical context as a chance for the EU to present itself as an international beacon for academic freedom.

CSC: International Projects Push New Ways of Monitoring Progress of Open Science

CSC: International Projects Push New Ways of Monitoring Progress of Open Science

Open science thrives on transparency, accessibility, and responsible research assessment. To support these goals, CSC is actively contributing to three EU-funded projects: FAIRCORE4EOSC, FAIR-IMPACT, and GraspOS. These initiatives aim to improve research findability, streamline data management, and promote a more inclusive evaluation of scientific contributions.

Europe Scrambles to Help Researchers Escape Trump

Europe Scrambles to Help Researchers Escape Trump

EU science ministers are calling on the European Commission to stand ready to welcome US researchers threatened by Donald Trump's ongoing tightening of restrictions on US science and provide them with concrete opportunities to pursue their work.

Left MEPs Raise Concerns over Horizon Europe Funding to Israel

Left MEPs Raise Concerns over Horizon Europe Funding to Israel

MEPs in the European Parliament's Left political group have criticised the flow of Horizon Europe research funding to Israel, and the overall shift in emphasis towards the programme supporting economic competitiveness. Israel has long been an associated country to the Framework Programmes, meaning its scientists can participate on an equal basis to their EU counterparts, both leading projects and receiving money. But this has become particularly controversial since the country's attack on Gaza in retaliation for a Hamas assault on Israel in October 2023. 

Parliament Set for Showdown with Commission over Standalone FP10

Parliament Set for Showdown with Commission over Standalone FP10

The European Parliament has adopted a report calling for a standalone research Framework Programme in the next long-term EU budget. This lays the ground for a conflict with the European Commission, which is expected to place the programme within a broader EU Competitiveness Fund.

EU Urged Not to Forget About Defence R&D

EU Urged Not to Forget About Defence R&D

Experts are urging policymakers not to forget about research and development when they set about boosting Europe's defence capabilities. As yet, the political activity following the US decision to suspend military aid to Ukraine has found little place for R&D. 

Europe Could Be a 'Haven' for US Researchers, Says ERC President

Europe Could Be a 'Haven' for US Researchers, Says ERC President

The EU's research funding bodies are thinking of ways to welcome US scientists and European ex-patriots who might be looking for a more sympathetic place to work now that Donald Trump is in the White House. This mirrors discussions at the national level of possible "repatriation awards" and the expansion of programmes to attract American scientists.

New Minister Aims to Find 'black Holes' in Romania's Research System

New Minister Aims to Find 'black Holes' in Romania's Research System

After more than three decades of reliance on foreign direct investments and EU funds, Romania should be looking towards a new economic model based on the production of knowledge and advanced technologies, says Daniel David, who became the country's education and research minister in December. But that would require a reconfiguration of Romania's entire research system, including the merger of low-performing institutions and a new classification system for universities, David told Science|Business in an interview. 

Leptin Calls for a Doubling of the ERC Budget

Leptin Calls for a Doubling of the ERC Budget

With concern for the future of the European Research Council (ERC) still in the air, its president Maria Leptin has called on the European Parliament to protect the council from attacks on its freedom and its resources. "My message today is simple: an independent ERC with a doubled budget in the next MFF [Multiannual Financial Framework] is a strategic investment," she told MEPs on the Industry, Research and Energy Committee on February 19.