EUA has followed closely the development of the forthcoming new framework programme and been involved in different elements of its preparation.
EUA adopted a key policy position on the essential features of the future 7th Framework Programme (FP7)
in its response to the EC Communication: "Science and technology, the key to Europe's future - Guidelines for future EU policy to support research" (November 2004). EUA defines in this statement five major objectives of particular significance to universities, taking into account their contribution as institutions and individual researchers:
• support to basic research that targets researchers specifically
• research training and career issues that engage both individuals and institutions
• infrastructure development for universities
• strengthening university cooperation at European level (through the ERA-UNIV-NETS network)
• the role of universities in fostering regional development.
In addition, EUA established in 2005 three Working Groups to examine the European Commission’s proposals for FP7 in areas of key importance to universities:
• Support for Basic Research (European Research Council, ERC)
• Mobility, Research Training and Careers (New Marie Curie Actions)
• Simplification of Funding Mechanisms and Conditions to Strengthen University Cooperation.
Working Group members were nominated by the national rectors’ conferences and a high level of input has been achieved, together with valuable consultations being held with senior European Commission officials concerning EUA's positions on the FP7 proposals. An internal EUA consultation was also held in September 2005 where all members and especially rectors, vice-rectors in charge of research and those dealing with research strategy development in their institution were invited to contribute to the Groups’ first findings.
A valuable link has also been forged between Working Group 3 on the Simplification of Funding Mechanisms and EUA involvement in the work of the “Sounding Board” addressing this issue established by EU Research Commissioner Janez Potocnik. Set up in March 2005 to provide practical advice to the European Commission and to represent the interests of smaller participants (i.e. SMEs, small to medium research centres, and small universities) – groups which seem to face the biggest difficulties in participating in the programme – EUA participates in this body which advises on whether measures proposed to make the programme simpler will in fact have the required effect.
In October 2005, the EUA Conference on “Research in European Universities: Strategies and Funding” hosted by Uppsala University, Sweden, provided a timely platform for universities to review their strategies and experience in responding to changes in competitive funding schemes, the need to diversify their research funding from both public and private sources and to assess the “full costs” of research. With the high level of debate achieved between universities and representatives from European and national policy institutions and funding agencies, the Uppsala Conference set the framework for EUA’s continued commitment to the promotion of policies enhancing the future sustainability of university research.
A EUA report Research Strategy Development in European Universities
published in 2006 further contributed to the debates around this issue. Based on site visits to ten institutions where interviews were conducted with a wide range of different university actors, this study was undertaken in order to examine in detail strategy development from its definition through to the implementation phase and the factors which affect this process.
The report focuses specifically on the internal and external issues which drive the development of research strategies and the elements which are addressed and included in these strategies, such as promoting excellence, building partnerships with industry, recruiting top scientists and the scope and quality of research training. The processes and methods used and the national and regional context in which the institutional strategy is developed are also examined. The report's findings reflect the complex situation which exists in Europe's universities and demonstrates the importance of strategy development for an institution's innovation potential.