The letter of ISE (pdf)
The ISE web site

A sustained European-wide research effort is essential to build tomorrow’s economic development as well as to extend the region’s cultural influence. In an extremely competitive environment, in which countries like the USA, Japan and China as well, are mobilizing all possible means to develop their scientific sector, only the opening of a European research area, upon the initiative of political leaders but spurred on by scientists in close cooperation with its citizens will allow Europe as a whole and each European country individually to build a knowledge-based economy.

Unfortunately, it is only too obvious that the European system of research is lagging far behind its potential. On the one hand, research management has laid the main stress on technology while support for basic research is no longer recognized as the prime objective. On the other hand, programs have been oriented towards oversized research projects, which complicates and slows their realization and gives even more weight to an already sluggish bureaucracy. For example, the 6th PCRD has sharply increased the number of bids on applied technological research whose goal is a quick return on investment. However, we know that although profitable spin-offs come from applied research, they use the new tools and concepts which come from basic research.

The councils of Lisbon and Barcelona have promised to build a European-wide knowledge-based economy competitive by 2010. To that end, they anticipate devoting 3% of the European GDP to the budget allotted to R&D and innovation. European commission president Romano Prodi has stated “Research must be the motivating force of this new European Renaissance”. Given the present weakness of European research, we must establish as soon as possible the foundations of a European research area and, in particular, a European Research Council (ERC) which will devote itself entirely to supporting basic research.

The creation of the ERC has for two years been the subject of intense investigation by scientific organizations, both european (ESF, ELSF, Eurosciences...) and national (Max Plank Society, ..). A certain consensus is emerging, as is clear in the progress report of the experts named by the European council of ministers and presided by F. Mayor (http://www.ercexpertgroup.org/final...).

We fully support their recommendations. The ERC must enjoy complete autonomy when it comes to evaluation and decision. Scientific, not political, considerations must set priorities. While it will not replace national structures, the ERC must establish effective interfaces with European organizations. Scientific quality must be the sole criterion for decisions. There must be funding for individual teams as well as laboratory networks. The humanities and social sciences must also come into play.

It may be that the financial, legal and accounting format will be a grant, rather than a contract, to avoid bureaucratic slowdowns.

Although it seems clear that these ERC principles correspond to the scientific community’s aspirations, “Sauvons la recherche” (SLR), the coalition of French scientists and citizens set up to defend basic research in France, believes that the whole European scientific community, irrespective of field of investigation, must be better informed of this evolution which will bring considerable changes to the overall organization of research. In spite of the crises suffered by various national systems, and despite the structural differences, we clearly have a common destiny. We see the necessity for a specifically European way of thinking about, and acting on questions of research and higher education. “Sauvons la Recherche” fervently hopes that European scientists will organize into a representative force recognized by European authorities and participate actively to the debate. Thus, we propose organizing an on line forum for European scientists which will allow any individual, independently from institutional membership and professional status to participate . In order to reinforce the effectiveness and legitimacy of the ERC, conclusions of this forum will be made public, and will be transmitted to the EC commissioner for research as well as the various institutions involved in these issues. In particular, it is crucial that European scientists be heard on the constitution and turnover of the ERC to guarantee that its decisions really do take into account their aspirations. A properly European science, effective, creative, connected to the citizens will be created only with scientists, of equal status, whatever the discipline, cultural background or nationality.

The involvement of the scientific community in this movement concerns not only the EU’s research policy, but the research policies of all countries. Scientists have a responsibility they cannot dodge: they have an obligation to explain and mediate both their studies and their consequences, vis a vis citizens and political leaders who often may be unaware of scientific developments. In “Sauvons la Recherche”, our recent experience of having to defend basic research in France has shown convincingly that we cannot isolate ourselves, that we are bound to answer the expectations of our fellow citizens and maintain a dialogue with them. We are now keenly aware that a majority of our fellow citizens are in favour of the expansion of knowledge. Recent public support for the advancement of science has dramatically legitimized the role that scientists play in society and the ways in which science may influence political decisions.

To further strengthen the dialogue with our fellow citizens and to influence political leaders, we believe that in addition to its evaluation and finance mission for basic research, the ERC will have to create a forum of scientists, including leading players from the economic and social worlds. This will allow us to establish a vital contact between the European commission and ordinary citizens on research questions and their social impact. It will provide a place for reflection and exchange on what are now 25 national research policies. Its mission will not be to directly influence the ERC’s scientific priorities, but to constitute a European Observatory whose role could be to

1. pose the pros and cons of research needs and constraints vis a vis political leaders,
2. better coordinate society’s needs and expectations with basic research’s own special dynamics,
3. remind researchers that they must alert their fellow citizens to the social, economic and political implications of scientific discoveries.

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