1. August 2007 10:35
The European Science Foundation and the European Commission Sign Contract For COST in FP7
In the last week of July 2007 the European Commission (EC) and the European Science Foundation (ESF) signed the contract for ESF to continue to provide and manage the administrative, technical and scientific secretariat of COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) under the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7). The Seventh Framework Programme foresees a EUR 210 million in support for COST with the possibility of another EUR 40 million depending on a positive mid-term evaluation in 2010.
The decision strengthens the working relationship between COST and ESF, two principal networking organisations in Europe which have been interacting at various levels for more than three decades. It builds on the previous EC-ESF contract for COST under FP6, signed in 2003, and guarantees the continuation of COST activities through FP7. The initial provision of EUR 210 million – compared to EUR 80 million in the previous contract – gives COST the opportunity to expand activities and to enhance the support of the COST Domain Committees (the nine scientific and technical committees) as well as of the COST Actions (the networks of researchers).
The contract sets out a series of work packages which reflect the increase in funding through new and expanded activities and the number of running Actions, the development of new ideas for interdisciplinary science initiatives, a better exploitation of the European “Near Neighbours” policy and a stronger focus on outreach and communications.
“The negotiation of this contract and the transition between FP6 and FP7 were two challenging processes. The ESF team’s commitment to COST, with its experience of managing such a complex operation, a constructive and efficient cooperation with the European Commission and with the COST Committee of Senior Officials (CSO) have been essential in allowing the successful completion of this important agreement” commented David Weber, ESF’s Director of Administration and Finance.
“This agreement leads to a three-win situation – win for the ESF, win for COST and most importantly a win for the European research community thanks to the synergy that the two organisations created by working together. All of us are very happy and proud of the outcome” stated Dr. John Marks, ESF Chief Executive Officer.
“The contract and the increase in funding is indeed a strong vote of confidence towards the ESF-COST cooperation,” continues Dr Martin Grabert, Director of the COST Office. “With this contract, we can truly capitalise on previous successes. We will not rest on our laurels, however, and continue to focus on cross-disciplinary initiatives and strengthening the synergy between the various research actors in Europe.”
“I very much welcome the positive conclusion of the negotiations for the signature of the EC-ESF contract for COST,” commented the President of the COST Committee of Senior Officials, Professor Francesco Fedi. “COST has always been a unique instrument with a strong role to play towards the development of the ERA. Typical COST features such as its flexibility and bottom-up approach make it a perfect platform for innovative ideas on the frontiers of science.
Aspects which are well-recognised by the science community if the resounding response to our open call for proposals and the numerous requests for cooperation from non-COST countries are any indication. I look forward to the strengthening of the ties between COST, the European Commission and the European Science Foundation for the benefit of the entire European Research Area” concluded Professor Fedi.
Notes to Editors:
ESF
The European Science Foundation (ESF) is an association of 75 member organisations devoted to scientific research in 30 European countries.
Since we were established in 1974, it has coordinated a wide range of pan-European scientific initiatives, and our flexible organisation structure means it can respond quickly to new developments.
ESF's core purpose is to promote high quality science at a European level.The ESF is committed to facilitating cooperation and collaboration in European science on behalf of its principal stakeholders (Member Organisations and Europe's scientific community). This cross-border activity combines both 'top-down' and 'bottom-up' approaches in the long-term development of science.
The Foundation is committed to providing scientific leadership through its networking expertise and by ensuring that there is a European added value to all of its initiatives and projects.
COST - European COoperation in the field of Scientific and Technical Research - is a precursor of advanced multidisciplinary research with a very important role for the realisation of the European Research Area (ERA).
It anticipates and complements the activities of the Framework Programmes, constitutes a “bridge” towards the scientific communities of emerging countries, increases the mobility of researchers across Europe and fosters the establishment of “Networks of Excellence” in nine key scientific domains.
It covers basic and more applied research and addresses pre-normative issues in the following scientific domains: Biomedicine and Molecular Biosciences; Food and Agriculture; Forests, their Products and Services; Materials, Physics and Nanosciences; Chemistry and Molecular Sciences and Technologies; Earth System Science and Environmental Management; Information and Communication Technologies; Transport and Urban Development; Individuals, Society, Culture and Health.
Established by the Ministerial Conference in November 1971, making it the oldest and widest European intergovernmental network for cooperation in research, COST is presently used by the scientific communities of 35 European countries to cooperate in common research projects supported by national funds.
Media contact:
- Mr. Thomas LauE-Mail
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