International
Horizon 2020 – An Up-to-date Appraisal
The next months will be decisive as regards the next EU Research Framework Programme "Horizon 2020" (2014-2020). After the European Commission submitted its proposal on 30 November 2011, the legislative procedure now is in progress. The Helmholtz Association very much welcomes the Commission's proposal for Horizon 2020. With about 80 billion Euro, the proposed budget is significantly higher than the budget for the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7, approx. 50 billion Euro at the time). However, cuts are likely to occur. A positive aspect, without doubt, is the fact that the current proposal strives for simplified settlement rules for the funds. Another positive development from the point of view of the Helmholtz Association is the general objective of solving major societal challenges.
Even so, some aspects require improvement. First and foremost: The allocation of the budget. The Commission's proposal allocates merely three per cent of the total budget for research infrastructures (RI), that is, precisely the same percentage as was the case in the FP7. Yet at the same time, the new programme now includes ambitious objectives: The access to national research infrastructures is to be guaranteed across borders within the European Research Area and 60 per cent of ESFRI projects are to be implemented by 2015.
The proposed budget falls short of these objectives. There is also the danger that the number of small-scale joint projects could decline and be substituted by the emergence of large Public Private Partnerships (such as Joint Technology Initiatives [JTIs], Knowledge and Innovation Communities [KIC], Future and Emerging Technologies [FET] flagships etc.) establishing their respective own administration structures. Here, the Helmholtz Association urges maintaining flexible joint projects as the main instrument. A point of particularly heated debate at present in Brussels pertains to the funding rates. The Commission advocates radical simplification and intends to grant research projects a maximum of 100 per cent of the total eligible costs and a flat rate of 20 per cent of the total direct eligible costs for indirect eligible costs (100+20; for demonstration/prototype projects 70+20). This would have an impact by way of decreased funding for coordinating activities (so far 100 per cent of total eligible costs) and, in the case of centres with higher overhead costs, also as regards general funding. Likewise, the strict distinction between research projects and demonstration/prototype projects is in itself very disputable. A major point of concern is the fact that the respective maximum funding rate is to be fixed only as late as in the work programme or work plan stage.
There is scope for changes to the proposal up until the middle of 2013. Then the proposal is to be approved and passed in time to match the end of the Irish Council Presidency. The Brussels office will follow the debate over the course of the coming months and campaign for the inclusion of the requirements of Helmholtz scientists to the best possible degree.
Horizon 2020 – Data and Facts Regarding the Eighth EU Research Framework Programme:
Objective: Promoting Research and Innovation
Superordinate Topics: Excellent Science, Industrial Leadership, Societal Challenges
Budget: approx. 80 billion Euro (scheduled)
Programme Period: 2014-2020
Launch: Mid 2013 (scheduled)
First Calls: December 2013 (scheduled)
Further Information: http://ec.europa.eu/research/horizon2020
