High Level Group on Research, Innovation and Science Policy (RISE)

High Level Group on Research, Innovation and Science Policy (RISE)
Name	High Level Group on Research, Innovation and Science Policy (RISE)
Formation	2012
Type	Advisory body
Headquarters	Brussels
Parent organization	European Commission
Leader title	Chair

High Level Group on Research, Innovation and Science Policy (RISE) The High Level Group on Research, Innovation and Science Policy (RISE) was an expert advisory body convened to advise the European Commission on strategic priorities for research and innovation policy. It operated at the intersection of European Union policymaking, Horizon 2020, and national science systems represented by ministries and funding agencies. The group produced analytical reports and policy recommendations intended to influence European Research Area coordination, innovation policy instruments, and transnational cooperation among research institutions.

Background and Establishment

RISE was established against the backdrop of policy initiatives such as Europe 2020, the launch of Horizon 2020, and discussions in the European Council about the competitiveness of European research. Its creation followed consultations involving stakeholders from Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the European Parliament, and national research councils such as the Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Künstliche Intelligenz, the French National Centre for Scientific Research, and the Royal Society. The group drew on precedents set by advisory bodies including the High Level Expert Group on Key Enabling Technologies and the High-Level Group on Competitiveness and Growth, situating RISE within a lineage of EU high-level panels that advised on strategic industrial and scientific priorities.

Mandate and Objectives

RISE's mandate encompassed advising the European Commission on long-term strategic options for aligning national research funding with EU-level instruments, improving synergies between research infrastructures and regional development, and strengthening links among universities like University of Oxford, Sorbonne University, and Technical University of Munich. The objectives included proposing mechanisms to enhance coordination with actors such as the European Research Council, the Joint Research Centre, national ministries of science, funding agencies like the Austrian Science Fund, and supranational institutions including the Council of the European Union and the Committee of the Regions.

Membership and Governance

Membership comprised senior figures from institutions such as the European University Association, the Max Planck Society, the Nanyang Technological University, national science academies like the National Academy of Sciences (United States), and leaders drawn from ministries in member states including Germany, France, Poland, and Spain. Chairs and rapporteurs were appointed by the European Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation, and governance arrangements borrowed procedures from bodies like the Scientific Advice Mechanism and the High Level Group on Scientific Advice. Meetings were held in venues such as Brussels, Strasbourg, and national capitals, with secretariat support from the European Commission Directorate-General for Research and Innovation.

Key Reports and Recommendations

RISE issued several reports that recommended alignment of priorities across instruments including Horizon 2020, European Structural and Investment Funds, and national programmes such as the German Excellence Initiative and France's Investissements d'Avenir. Recommendations emphasized strengthening the European Research Area through measures promoting researcher mobility similar to those in the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, enhancing research infrastructures exemplified by CERN and EMBL, and improving technology transfer mechanisms akin to those used by the Fraunhofer Society and TNO (Netherlands). Reports advocated governance reforms inspired by models from the National Science Foundation and the Swedish Research Council, and proposed performance assessment approaches referencing the Leiden Ranking and the Times Higher Education World University Rankings.

Impact and Reception

Responses to RISE's work ranged across stakeholders including the European Parliament, national ministries of finance, research organizations, and industry federations such as BusinessEurope and the European Round Table for Industry. Supporters cited alignment with priorities articulated by José Manuel Barroso and Neelie Kroes, while critics referenced tensions noted in debates led by figures like Jean-Claude Juncker and in analyses from think tanks including the Bruegel and European Policy Centre. Implementation of recommendations influenced elements of Horizon Europe programming and was reflected in national strategic documents in countries including Italy, Netherlands, and Finland.

Legacy and Follow-up Initiatives

RISE's legacy persisted via influence on successor initiatives such as the High-Level Group on Maximising the Impact of EU Research and Innovation Programmes, integration into processes overseen by the European Research Area Committee, and uptake by agencies like the European Innovation Council. Subsequent instruments and networks—drawing on RISE analyses—include reforms in Horizon Europe, reinforced coordination with European Structural and Investment Funds, and enhanced collaboration between entities such as European Science Foundation and regional consortia. The group's work informed dialogues between the European Commission and external partners including the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

Category:European Union advisory bodies Category:Science policy