Horizon budget cuts sends out wrong signal

Cutting 바카라사이트 European Union¡¯s Horizon 2020 budget ¡°downgrades 바카라사이트 importance¡± of research funding and ¡°sends out 바카라사이트 wrong signals¡± to policymakers, according to 바카라사이트 European University Association.

In a letter to Jean-Claude Juncker, 바카라사이트 president of 바카라사이트 European Commission, 바카라사이트 EUA says that proposed changes to divert some funding ¡°aggravate an already difficult situation¡± as some countries have reduced research investment because of 바카라사이트 economic crisis.

Mr Juncker plans to create a €315 billion (?233 billion) European Fund for Strategic Investment to boost public and private investment in Europe¡¯s economy over 바카라사이트 next three years. Proposals suggest that some finance for 바카라사이트 fund will come from 바카라사이트 budget of Horizon 2020, Europe¡¯s flagship research and innovation programme.

The letter, from Maria Nazar¨¦, 바카라사이트 EUA¡¯s president, and Lesley Wilson, secretary general, says: ¡°The issue is of major significance to Europe¡¯s universities as 바카라사이트 implied reduction of funding will affect support for European research collaboration that has proved its enormous added value for Europe.¡±

It adds that 바카라사이트 ¡°excellent science¡± and ¡°societal challenges¡± pillars of Horizon 2020 would be affected by 바카라사이트 cuts.

¡°Cutting down on funds previously agreed on by 바카라사이트 legislators for research and innovation activities downgrades 바카라사이트 importance of research funding at a European level,¡± it says. Professor Nazar¨¦ and Dr Wilson add: ¡°The proposal, as it stands, follows an unacceptable trend of cuts to research and sends 바카라사이트 wrong signal to national and regional policymakers¡­This is a worrying U-turn in 바카라사이트 commission¡¯s approach.¡±

The letter, published on 12 January, calls on Mr Juncker to include scientific oversight when selecting projects to be funded under 바카라사이트 EFSI. They say that this is ¡°vital¡± for EFSI to achieve its aims and stop it from ¡°weakening¡± European research capabilities.

holly.else@tesglobal.com