The International Science and Innovation Unit is responsible for UK policy on the European Research Area (ERA)
The ERA aims to create an "internal market" in research, an area of free movement of knowledge, researchers and technology (sometimes called the "Ljubljana Process"), with the aim of increasing cooperation between national programmes, stimulating competition and achieving a better allocation of resources.
A number of specific initiatives aiming to accelerate implementation of the ERA (including "joint programming", mobility, international science and technology cooperation and a legal framework to facilitate the establishment of research infrastructures) are currently under discussion, and are described in more detail below.
What is it?
- Launched in 2000 as part of the Lisbon Process
- Its aim to create a "single market for research", improve coordination of national policies and develop a genuinely European research agenda.
- ERA goes wider than the Framework Programmes.
- Not necessarily legislative in focus- much stress placed on "Open Method of Coordination" (sharing best practice, mutual learning, benchmarking etc.) and considerable role for Member States in advancing the concept.
- Re-launched in 2007, with initiatives on researcher careers and mobility, intellectual property rights, research infrastructures, joint programming and international cooperation proposed under the ERA umbrella.
For more detail see the ERA Web Page
http://ec.europa.eu/research/era/index_en.html
What does it consist of?
- There are five "axes", plus an overall Vision articulated in Council Conclusions agreed in December 2008. Under these Conclusions the UK, along with other EU Member States, has to publish a National Action Plan covering the four areas covered in the Communication (open recruitment, pensions and social security, attractive working conditions and skills training). The plan was published on 22 December 2009 and can be downloaded here
(5 MB). - The "European Partnership for Researchers" focuses on careers and researcher mobility issues with the aim of making Europe an attractive place to pursue a career in research.
- A Regulation establishing a common legal format for research infrastructures of European- wide interest is under negotiation. This is designed to ease the process of establishing such facilities.
- A Recommendation on the management of Intellectual Property Rights in knowledge transfer activities and a Code of Practice for universities and other public sector research establishments has been adopted.
- An initiative on Joint Programming seeks to promote closer collaboration and better cohesion between national research programmes to strengthen Europe’s ability to meet major policy and societal challenges. This was formally launched through the attached Council Conclusions agreed in December 2008.
081216 JP Conds Final
(76 KB)
- An initiative on International Cooperation was also launched through Council Conclusions agreed at the same time. This seeks to create a framework for European engagement with third country partners which will facilitate more coherent approach to international science cooperation. The Council Conclusions are attached.
081216 INCO Conclusions Final(65 KB)
For more detail on the ERA Vision and initiatives, see the ERA Initiatives page
http://ec.europa.eu/research/era/specific-era-initiatives_en.html
