Conference, How does research integration work? 17 June 2008

1. The issue of ‘research integration’ and the role of IPs and NoE in the social sciences and humanities: objectives and prospects Jean-Michel Baer Director Science, Economy and Society Conference,How does research integration work?17 June 2008

2. Excellent initiative by the researchers themselves: we wish/need to listen ! Drawing lessonsfrom large projects in FP6 as basis for future steps in FP 7 and beyond (e.g.Lubljana process) Need to know what works best, and what does not work: in social sciences and humanities especially it was not to be taken for granted that large coperative research may work, but 34 projects seem to indicate that at least some of it does… Why are we here ? From Commission side….

3. Objectives: Of the ‘new instruments’ of FP6: IPs and NoEs as ways of implementing and structuring ERA Of ‘integration’: Integration of different research areas of work/disciplines and of teams/institutions to reinforce and spread excellence and to achieve more structured and durable cooperation –with attention to pluralism Large scale research and ‘integration’

4. Integrated Projects aim at generating the knowledge required to implement priority themes (..). They are ambitious projects addressing different research issues via a “programme approach” and usually include several components. They may include long-term or “risky” research (…)may cover the whole spectrum from basic to applied research. Integrated Projects are expected to assemble the necessary critical mass of activities, expertise and resources to achieve ambitious objectives (objective–driven research). Since critical mass differs from field to field, and from topic to topic within a field, the critical-mass criterion is whether the activities and resources have been brought together. Integrated Projects in FP6(reminder of the official text)

5. Networks of Excellence are designed to strengthen scientific and technological excellence on a research topic by integrating at a European level the critical mass of resources and expertise needed to provide European leadership and to be a world force in that topic. Networks of Excellence are an instrument aimed at tackling fragmentation of existing research capacities. Networks of Excellence are expected to assemble the critical mass of resources, activities, and expertise needed to ensure that they reach their ambitious objective, e.g. the durable integration of the participants’ capacities in the area considered. This critical mass will differ from field to field. Networks of Excellence in FP6 (reminder of official text)

6. 20 IP and 14 NoE in SSH: the SSH community is willing and capable to do ‘big science’ in selected areas Initiative by CONNEX –in cooperation with other projects- to organise this stock taking: experience of researchers is key ! Evaluation excercises by RTD Lesson drawing process

7. Need for critical mass/EU added value Predictability and visibility of EU research efforts Promotion of coherent and complementary research activities Deployment of scientific support to EU policy-making Gains for management efficiency Some ideas for the futureSSH roadmapping

8. Missions, objectives and legal framework of SSH research at EU level Development of ERA Excellent research in support to EU policies International dimension Lessons learnt from the first SSH Call Budget SSH 2010 – 2013 Elements to be considered

9. Addressing challenges “Generating an in-depth shared understanding of the complex and interrelated socio-economic challenges Europe is confronted with” (SP-SSH) “The research priorities address key societal, economic and cultural challenges facing Europe and the world now and in the future” (SP-SSH) Community policy relevance “The research priorities will help improve the formulation, implementation, impact and assessment of policy including regulatory measures in many Community policy areas at the EU, national, regional and local level” (SP-SSH) Providing an improved knowledge base for policies in the fields concerned (FP7-Cooperation) Missions, objectives and legal framework

10. FP7 method “The Commission shall draw up a WP setting out the objectives and scientific priorities, the funding scheme and the timetable for implementation” “The WP shall take account of relevant research activities carried out by the MS, associated countries, the achievement of EUadded value as well the impact on industrial competitiveness and the relevance for other EU policies” (Art 6 FP7-Cooperation) European added value in FP7 Promote - by means of trans-national cooperation - high quality, innovative and comparative research “The dissemination and transfer of knowledge is a key added value of European research actions, and measures will be taken to increase the use of results by industry, policy makers and society. Dissemination will be considered an integral task under all thematic areas” (FP7) Critical Mass - Impact Contribute to the reinforcement of the ERA Missions, objectivesand legal framework

11. “Ljubljana Process” “Europe now needs to develop a common vision and effective governance of the European Research Area” Grand societal challenges: “Citizens benefiting from the contribution of large-scale R&D efforts to solve major societal challenges” ERA Process and SSH Programme Leverage effect for more structured actions in the field of SSH (ERA-NETs, large-scale projects ...) Effective dissemination of results (more integrated actions: Ex ante: capitalisation, Ex post : dissemination) Joint Programming : involves MS engaging voluntarily and on a variable geometry basis in the definition, development and implementation of common strategic research agendas based on a common vision on how to address major societal challenges. Development of ERA

12. International Dimension • The need for a strategy: • International participation low in FP6 (only 4% of all partners are from outside the EU) but more promising under FP7 (first call). • Need to define which sort of cooperation we want, with what region and in order to do what. • 2 ways to approach international cooperation: • Structural cooperation • improving knowledge on global issues with an impact on these world regions (sustainable development, migration, geopolitics)

13. Strengths (here to hear from you !) Lessons learnt from FP6 what can we learn about the working and impacts of large scale research projects and networks ? Weaknesses (here to hear from you !)

14. Coherence: research related to the fundamental objectives and priorities of the specific programme; coherent ensemble of research dimensions to allow breakthroughs in addressing socio-economic challenges. Anticipation: policy developments on the EU policy agenda to be anticipated if the specific programme aims to be useful in time. Thematic additionality: taking into consideration coverage of similar topics in previous WP and other thematic Programmes (as well as coverage by FP6 projects). Matching means and ends: achieving ERA dimensions with the suitable instruments Principles for roadmapping

15. Respect of Specific Programme structure Identification and characterisation of the main “Societal challenges” over the period Conception of “Building Blocks” addressing each of these challenges Implementation of Funding schemes able to create and make these Building Blocks workable, capitalising on previous research and disseminating research results Basic structure

16. The SSH roadmap 2010-2013 will identify Societal Challenges corresponding to the content of the SSH-Specific programme Each of these challenges will be addressed by one Building Block of Research

17. Address a societal challenge Take stock of current FP research on this challenge Identify a cluster of multi-annual research actions addressing the different dimensions of this challenge, including a foresight dimension, international cooperation, infrastructures, common methodologies and concepts Contribute to EU policy, ERA and an international dimension in SSH Valorise/disseminate research results Involve a minimum number of partners from different EU or associated countries and, where relevant, third countries Building Blocks

18. Each Building block may be translated into one single contract with the consortium Different funding options: Large scale collaborative project Network of excellence ERA-NET and ERANET+ The duration and the minimum number of partners will be specified Funding Schemes

19. Thank you for your attention and look forward to a stimulating debate based on your experience and analysis