HORIZON 2020 Dare to Excel for a knowledge-based economy

1. HORIZON 2020Dare to Excelfor a knowledge-based economy Rolf-Dieter Heuer Director-General, CERN Ministerial Conference Copenhagen, 1 February 2012

2. Excellence and Horizon2020 • Objective - strive for excellence • Aspects of excellence • In individuals, co-operation, infrastructure (including intellectual challenges); • National - Regional - International. • Excellence is not (necessarily) ‘being unique’; Competition promotes excellence. • Excellence will be attractive and inspiring to Europe’s research and innovation community and to society at large. • Excellence brings science and society closer together

3. EU Research & Innovation Funding • EU research & innovation funding should be complementary to and not replace regional and national funding. • Should bring clear added value. • Funding should also support research having certain risks (i.e. allow to fail). • It is the public sector’s responsibility to ensure basic science’s sustainable development over the long term.

4. The Virtuous Circlebasic research ↔ innovation ↔ applied research • Synergy between research and innovation results not only in societal and economic impact but also, and very importantly, in the creation of enhanced opportunities for further developments. • This circle needs to remain strong, to be unbroken and to be supported over long term.

5. The Virtuous CircleExample – PET Scans (1970s-2010s) Technology (APDs...) Technology (scanner…) Today PET/MRI Tomorrow Technology (crystals…)

6. HORIZON 2020 • Well structured programme • “Excellent Science Base” • - European Research Council • Future and Emerging Technologies • - Research Infrastructures • - Marie Curie Actions

7. Mission of Research Infrastructures Research Push forwardthe frontiers of knowledge Innovation Develop new, cutting-edge technologies Education Trainscientists and engineers of tomorrow Outreach PromoteScience in Society

8. Research Infrastructures • Research Infrastructures are key drivers for generation of knowledge, new technologies and innovation, as well as for training of young scientists and engineers in Europe. • Support for the development of key enabling technologies for upgraded or new research infrastructures, dedicated funding for technology transfer and innovation activities, enhanced involvement of industry, and staff exchange and training needs to be provided. • In today’s global competitive environment, international cooperation is essential for European research and innovation. For the ERA to be successful, Europe needs to play and maintain a leading role in global fields and projects, such as global research infrastructures. But also close cooperation with national facilities needs to be supported. • EU funding should continue to be focused on the development and closer integration of European research facilities, including transnational access of users from other countries and beyond Europe, based on scientific excellence.

9. Marie Curie Programme • Excellent training of scientists and engineers is vital for the future of Europe’s basic research, applied research and industrial research. • Mobility of researchers and technical staff is one of the main vehicles for circulation of knowledge in the ERA but there are many obstacles. • The share and funding for Host-driven actions should be increased, since they contribute significantly, in addition to researchers’ mobility and opportunities for career development, also to other objectives of the ERA, such as integration of scientific fields, international cooperation and fostering industry-academia partnerships. COFUND is an excellent example, and ITNs are the most competitive ones….. • Training of young scientists and engineers is one of the most efficient ways to build and support excellence in the “new” EU member states / convergence regions of the EU.

10. Science and Society • Need to continue and expand the activities for better integration of science and society in Europe. • This could be achieved by developing and implementing an enhanced, comprehensive and sustained Science and Society Programme with a clear European dimension, implemented in synergy with already existing successful (non-EU and national) programmes and activities. • In particular, the EU should provide extended support for science education through inquiry based novel teaching methods in primary and secondary schools, and strengthen the dialogue between science and the general public, with special focus on school children and parents.

11. Key Messages • In today’s challenging period, the EU needs to step up support for research and innovation in order to ensure, in a global competitive environment, the sustainable development and leadership of European science and technology which are necessary for the upturn and growth of European economy and for the prosperity of Europe. • To maximise the impact and benefits for European citizens, the EU should continue to actively support both basic and applied research and enhance their synergies to accelerate the innovation cycle. • Training and mobility of young scientists and engineers, further integration of science and society, and better support for the development, integration and usage of pan-European Research Infrastructures are key.

12. Key Messages • Marie Curie actions: great added value • Science Education activities vital • Support Basic and Applied Science on equal footing • RIs are major drivers of scientific excellence • Need agenda-driven and curiosity-driven research • Global scientific cooperation vital