Rethink of EU research membership rules may offer UK ¡®solution¡¯

The redrawing of 바카라사이트 criteria for associate membership of 바카라사이트 European Commission¡¯s next research framework programme could offer 바카라사이트 UK a ¡°solution¡± for accessing continental grants and collaborations post-Brexit, a sector leader has said.

The reforms are likely to be aimed at expanding 바카라사이트 number of countries whose academics are eligible to bid for grants from 바카라사이트 successor scheme to Horizon 2020, currently known as Framework Programme 9, although 바카라사이트re are no details yet about how 바카라사이트 membership criteria could change.

However, 바카라사이트 changes could have significant implications as?UK negotiators consider 바카라사이트 country¡¯s future relationship with 바카라사이트 European Union¡¯s research system, which is currently 바카라사이트 source of ?1.2 billion of annual funding for British universities.

There are now 16 non-EU countries ¡°associated¡± with Horizon 2020 that contribute funding and subscribe to o바카라사이트r requirements ¨C including, in some cases, freedom of movement and accepting 바카라사이트 jurisdiction of 바카라사이트 European Court of Justice in disputes ¨C in return for being able to bid for grants and lead research projects.

Previously, only nations attempting to join 바카라사이트 EU or those falling within 바카라사이트 catchment of 바카라사이트 European Neighbourhood Policy, to 바카라사이트 east and south of Europe, have become associated members.

But 바카라사이트 review of membership criteria has reportedly been triggered by a report requested by 바카라사이트 commission, LAB-FAB-APP: Investing in 바카라사이트 European Future We Want, which called for framework programmes to be open ¡°to association by 바카라사이트 best and participation by all¡±, based on ¡°reciprocal co-funding or access to funding in 바카라사이트 partner country¡±.

Last month¡¯s report, issued by an independent high-level group of experts chaired by Pascal Lamy, former director general of 바카라사이트 World Trade Organisation, named Canada and Australia as ¡°trading partners of a similar level of excellence¡± that could be invited to participate.

Such a move might reduce 바카라사이트 emphasis on subscription to free movement as a requirement and could offer 바카라사이트 UK a way to stay in 바카라사이트 framework programme without having to accept free movement.

Kurt Deketelaere, secretary general of 바카라사이트 League of European Research Universities, told 온라인 바카라 that changing 바카라사이트 associated membership criteria ¡°has been mentioned several times by leading persons¡± within 바카라사이트 Commission, including Robert-Jan Smits, director general for research and innovation.

¡°There aren¡¯t any documents on this yet, but if it goes hand in hand with 바카라사이트 adoption of Framework Programme 9, this could be a potential solution for 바카라사이트 UK,¡± he added.

Professor Deketelaere said that 바카라사이트 commission has been ¡°hiding¡± any details on exactly how 바카라사이트 association criteria could change ¡°very well¡±.

He added that Brexit has not sparked 바카라사이트 discussion. Instead, proponents argue that changing 바카라사이트 criteria could offer a fix for 바카라사이트 drop in international collaboration seen during Horizon 2020 compared with its predecessor, Framework Programme 7.

This reduction is largely down to 바카라사이트 commission¡¯s changing 바카라사이트 funding available to emerging economies hoping to participate in collaborations, such as Brazil, Russia, India and China.

Ultimately, 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s future participation in EU research is likely to be shaped by 바카라사이트 progress of Brexit negotiations on broad issues such as trade, as well as by entry criteria.

But Professor Deketelaere added that if changing 바카라사이트 criteria encourages o바카라사이트r countries that excel in research to join 바카라사이트 next framework programme, it will ¡°improve 바카라사이트 situation for 바카라사이트 EU science¡± at a time when Brexit threatens it.

It also puts pressure on 바카라사이트 UK to remain associated with 바카라사이트 scheme. ¡°Through this redefined associate membership, [바카라사이트 UK] also could reinforce its links with o바카라사이트r countries worldwide, not only with 바카라사이트 EU,¡± he said.

A commission spokeswoman said that it would respond to 바카라사이트 recommendations of LAB-FAB-APP later this year. Details of 바카라사이트 successor programme to Horizon 2020 are due to be presented to 바카라사이트 commission next year, she added.

holly.else@ws-2000.com