DUBLIN—A sense of cautious optimism about the future of science funding in the European Union has emerged from a meeting held here over the past 2 days.

With the support of the European Commission, the Irish government—as the current holder of the EU presidency—assembled the symposium of politicians, industry leaders, and high-placed members of the scientific community. The aim was to draw a consensus about the state of European basic science and whether new EU action was needed.

Representatives of 27 countries—current EU members, accession states, and allied countries—unanimously approved a set of conclusions that acknowledged a need to create a more attractive basic research environment.

The delegates agreed that a new European arrangement was required and urged the commission “to bring forward to the Competitiveness Council proposals for the governance, management, and accountability of a European initiative.”

It should be characterized by minimum bureaucracy and closely involve the...

Interested in reading more?

Become a Member of

Receive full access to more than 35 years of archives, as well as TS Digest, digital editions of The Scientist, feature stories, and much more!
Already a member?