Science Europe

Science Europe
ScienceEurope · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Name	Science Europe
Type	Association of research funding and performing organisations
Founded	2011
Headquarters	Brussels, Belgium
Region served	Europe
Membership	National research councils, research funding agencies, research organisations

Science Europe is a European association representing major research funding and research performing organisations across the European Union, Council of Europe area and neighbouring states. It was established to coordinate evidence-informed positions on research policy, promote research integrity, and facilitate cooperation on research infrastructures, innovation partnerships, and open science. The association engages with frameworks such as Horizon 2020, Horizon Europe, European Research Area and interacts with agencies including the European Commission, European Research Council and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

History

Science Europe was founded in 2011 by national research agencies and councils to consolidate voices represented at supranational forums such as the European Commission Directorate-Generals and the European Parliament. Its creation followed strategic dialogues among institutions like the Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt, CNRS, UK Research and Innovation, and the Agence Nationale de la Recherche seeking collective responses to initiatives including the Lisbon Strategy, the establishment of the European Research Council, and reforms to the Framework Programmes for Research and Technological Development. Early priorities included harmonising practices across national systems influenced by events such as the expansion of the European Union in 2004 and the financial constraints after the 2008 financial crisis. Over ensuing years the association engaged with sectoral developments like the launch of Horizon 2020, debates on the European Open Science Cloud, and responses to regulatory proposals from the European Commission on research assessment and data protection such as the General Data Protection Regulation.

Organisation and Governance

The association operates through a Secretariat based in Brussels and a governance structure combining an Executive Board, Presidents, and specialised Committees. Governing members include heads of agencies such as the Swedish Research Council, Austrian Science Fund (FWF), and Swiss National Science Foundation. Decision-making follows statutes that define membership criteria, voting mechanisms, and conflict-of-interest rules similar to those used by organisations like the European University Association and the League of European Research Universities. Scientific and policy work is delivered by expert groups mirroring formats used by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s Directorate for Science, Technology and Innovation and by collaborative platforms akin to the Research Data Alliance.

Members and Partners

Membership comprises national research councils and funding agencies such as the Research Council of Norway, Academy of Finland, National Science Centre (Poland), FAPESP, and the Spanish Ministry of Science. Associate partners and collaborating organisations include the European Research Council, CERN, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Wellcome Trust, and the Gates Foundation in contexts of shared initiatives. The network extends to intergovernmental entities like the European Space Agency and regional bodies including the NordForsk and the Benelux research cooperation structures. The association coordinates with higher education networks such as the League of European Research Universities and the European University Association on cross-cutting issues.

Policy Activities and Initiatives

The association articulates positions on research integrity, open science, research assessment, and research infrastructures, contributing to consultations from the European Commission and policy dialogues at the European Parliament. It produces guidance that complements frameworks like the Frascati Manual and inputs into processes such as the development of the European Open Science Cloud and the European Research Area reform. The association convenes expert groups addressing reproducibility debates influenced by studies published in journals like Nature, Science (journal), and The Lancet, and interacts with standard-setting organisations such as the International Organization for Standardization on metadata and data stewardship. It also engages on ethics and compliance matters connected to directives like the Clinical Trials Regulation.

Funding and Programmes

Financing for the association derives from membership contributions by national agencies including Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Agence Nationale de la Recherche, and Research Council of Norway, as well as project-based support from programme instruments within Horizon Europe and collaborative grants with foundations like the Wellcome Trust. Programmes led or hosted by the association tackle capacity building for research management, cross-border research infrastructure coordination such as contributions to ESFRI roadmaps, and pilot schemes on research assessment reform inspired by declarations like the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment. Project portfolios frequently align with calls under Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe fostering interoperability, data stewardship, and international cooperation with partners including the National Science Foundation and European Investment Bank where relevant.

Publications and Outputs

Outputs include policy briefs, position papers, technical guidelines, and reports distributed to stakeholders such as the European Commission, European Research Council, and national parliaments. Publications address topics ranging from research integrity frameworks referencing cases debated in Retraction Watch and analyses of bibliometrics informed by databases like Web of Science and Scopus. The association issues guidance on open access aligned with mandates from funders such as Wellcome Trust and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and produces white papers on research infrastructure strategy consistent with assessments by ESFRI and evaluations used by the European Court of Auditors. It also curates proceedings from workshops involving representatives of the OECD, UNESCO, and national ministries, and contributes to collective statements alongside networks like the Global Research Council.

Category:Science policy organizations Category:Research funding