Science Policy
"Europe needs to join forces to muster the necessary critical mass of resources, expertise and scientific excellence.
I welcome EIROforum's commitment to our common goals."
Janez Potočnik, European Commissioner for Research and Science
Nature itself has no national borders, and modern science thrives on, and indeed requires,
transnational cooperation. Recognition of this fact has led to the concept of the European Research Area, in which scientific research is increasingly organised and coordinated at a European level. This allows European research to share resources and benefit from enhanced collaboration. The European Research Area is a crucially important initiative, and the EIROforum lends its full support to its development.
For several decades the seven EIROforum organisations have successfully created effective
and functioning European research areas in their respective fields. The EIROforum organisations cater to a large scientific community, by providing access to world-class facilities that would otherwise be beyond the reach of individual countries.
In close dialogue with the European Union and national institutions, the EIROforum partners bring scientists together and forge collaborations on a continental scale. The substantial expertise of each partner organisation, in both basic research and in the management of large international projects, makes the EIROforum a vital element in the further development of the European Research Area.
In October 2003, the EIROforum members signed a joint statement of intent with the European Commission, confirming their commitment to developing the European Research Area.
In April 2005, the EIROforum members presented their comprehensive paper on science policy, Towards a Europe of Knowledge and Innovation. In this paper, EIROforum expounds its vision of Europe's route towards the Lisbon goal of becoming the world's most dynamic and knowledge-based society.