Annual Report 2005 • European Science Foundation Science • European 2005 Report Annual Annual Report 2005 June 2006000 – Print Run: 8
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Annual report 2005 • European Science Foundation Annual Report 2005 June 2006000 – Print run: 8 1 quai Lezay-Marnésia | BP 90015 | 67080 Strasbourg cedex | Fra nce Tel: +33 (0)3 88 76 71 00 | Fax: +33 (0)3 88 37 05 32 www.esf.org Cover photos (left-right, up-down): © Royalty-Free/Corbis Ocean colour satellite data showing freshwater in! ow in the western Baltic Sea from the Oder River. © Ifremer © Getty Images/Vincent Hazat Ice ! ow in Antarctica. © IPEV/Ruche © Getty Images/Jose Luis Pelaez Inc Eye pigment cell. Coloured scanning electron micrograph of a melanocyte cell with granules of pigment in the light-sensitive retina of the eye. © Steve Gschmeissner/Science Photo Library/Cosmos © Royalty-Free/Corbis The Horsehead located in the constellation Orion. Graphic design: Dans les villes | Strasbourg © Ray Gralak Printer: IREG | Strasbourg | June 2006 © Getty Images/Adam Gault ISBN 2-912049-54-7 About the European Science Foundation Mission Statement The European Science Foundation provides a common platform for its Member Organisations in order to: • Advance European research • Explore new directions for research at the European level Through its activities, the European Science Foundation serves the needs of the European research community in a global context Values The European Science Foundation’s mission is guided by shared values that characterise its specific organisational culture. These values are: • Excellence: the gatekeeper criterion for all scientific activities; it will also drive the management philosophy and operating procedures; • Openness: to all scientists and disciplines; no barriers between disciplines; open sharing of results; transparency to stakeholders and partners; • Responsiveness: in its procedures and structure; • Pan-European: rising above national interests to the benefit of science in the whole of Europe; • Ethical awareness and human values: sensitive to societal and ethical considerations in all its activities; attention to gender aspects. ESF Annual Report 2005 Contents 4 005 Highlights 6 Reinder van Duinen 8 Ian Halliday 9 Bertil Andersson 6 12 005 General Assembly Highlights 15 Strategic Plan 19 005 Achievements 11 26 27 COST 41 ESF Activities 28 How the European Science • Forward Looks Foundation Works • Exploratory Workshops 30 ESF Member Organisations • EUROCORES 34 ESF Governing Bodies • Research Networking and Committees Membership Programmes • Scientific Networks • Research Conferences 41 62 ESF Publications in 005 68 Human Resources 70 Finance 76 Picture Captions 61 2005 Highlights Forging new partnerships New research conferences in a range of disciplines One of ESF’s major roles is that of reaching out to other organisations. For example, this is reflected During 005, ESF organised new research conferences in the important continuing partnerships forged in 005 with 5 partners, including the Austrian Science Fund (FWF), between ESF and the European Heads of Research the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council Councils (EuroHORCs), the European Molecular Biology of the United Kingdom (PPARC), Engineering and Physical Organisation (EMBO), the Initiative for Science Sciences Research Council of the United Kingdom (EPSRC), in Europe (ISE) and the European Commission. the Swedish Research Council (VR), the French National • ESF and EuroHORCs have created a “package for Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), the European partnership” that will allow the organisations to share Molecular Biology Organisation (EMBO), the Wellcome Trust, research foresights, harmonise procedures and the Latsis Foundation, the Generalitat of Catalunya, generally improve the exchange of information between the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), the two bodies. and several universities. Up to 0 new scientific conferences across Europe are • ESF and EMBO, within the framework of the ESF planned for 006. Research Conferences Scheme, have agreed to co-sponsor a series of meetings, to be known as ESF- EMBO Symposia, which will bring together participants Substantial progress with changes and experts from the Life Sciences and other science disciplines to discuss topics that are of major and reforms of COST importance to the scientific community in Europe. The changes and reforms taking place at COST continue • ESF continues to collaborate with the European apace, with the undertaking of several review processes Commission by managing the European Young in 005 and the appointment of new science officers and Investigator Awards scheme (EURYI) and COST, a new Director in September, Dr. Martin Grabert. coordinating EC-funded ERA-NETs in the marine and polar areas, running the EUROCORES programmes and other activities. ESF Annual Report 2005 EUROCORES The successful conclusion of the second annual EURYI Awards • 20 Programmes now in place scheme The EUROCORES scheme has now reached the milestone of 0 Programmes, 6 of which are fully running (that is, On 9 November 005, in the Hungarian Academy of a Call for proposals has been published). Five new Themes Sciences in Budapest, Hungary, each of the 5 winners have been selected, seven Programmes have started of the European Young Investigator awards – the EURYI research funding and networking (with additional research Awards – received diplomas in recognition of their award- money of approximately €5 million), and three more winning project proposals. The diplomas were presented Programmes are about to enter the research phase by Professor Werner Arber, joint winner of the 978 (with funding of between €13-8 million expected). Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. Altogether, 57 different funding organisations from Each winner will receive up to €,50,000 over a 7 European countries are involved in the scheme, which five-year-period in an award that is comparable in scope covers all scientific disciplines. The first four Programmes to the Nobel Prize. have already resulted in more than ,000 publications and more than 750 oral presentations. For the full story, see page 0 • Restructuring A new EUROCORES scheme has been set up comprising New organisations approved a high-level, independent committee of high-ranking scientists under the ESF Executive Board. for ESF membership This committee will run an annual competition for new EUROCORES Themes, with emphasis on the strong ESF continues to grow, with two new organisations scientific assessment of proposals that includes a two-stage being approved for ESF membership in 005: review process, at least three external referees, top-level the Science and Technology Assistance Agency review panels and complete transparency of procedures. (Slovakia) and VINNOVA, the Swedish Agency A commitment has also been made to reducing the for Innovation Systems (Sweden). timeframe from Theme to Call to funding, as well as The Science and Technology Assistance Agency encouraging a more reliable commitment from funding is an umbrella organisation designed to promote agencies. and encourage scientific research in Slovakia. VINNOVA integrates research and development in technology, transport and working life. VINNOVA’s mission is to promote sustainable growth by financing research and technological development and developing effective innovation systems. ESF Annual Report 2005 5 Streicher Reinder van Duinen F. President © Significant changes since January 2000 Six years ago, when I took on the role of President of the European Science Founda- tion in January 2000, I could not have imagined the significant changes that would take place during my time here. This last year in particular has been one of the busiest of my Presidency. During the past twelve months, ESF has made important advances in several key areas as part of the continuing pursuit of our goals, not the least of which was the ratification of the 2006-00 Strategic Plan by our Member Organisations at the 2005 General Assembly in Strasbourg in November. This plan will set the direction for ESF’s activi- ties over the years ahead. The plan presents a new interpretation of our mission in the light of the new chal- lenges to science in Europe: ESF provides a common platform for its Member Organisations in order to: • Advance European research • Explore new directions for research at the European level Through its activities, ESF serves the needs of the European research community in a global context Looking back over 2005, it is clear that this has indeed been a year of collabora- tive achievements, made possible by the dedication and commitment of everyone associated with ESF – Bertil Andersson and the employees of ESF, the Member Organisations, the Governing Council and the Executive Board. During 2005, ESF set up and ran new research conferences with no fewer than 5 different partners across a broad range of disciplines, and we foresee organising up to 20 new conferences in 2006. It is my firm belief that bringing together scientists and researchers in this way lies at the heart of what ESF is all about. The EUROCORES scheme, which underwent a process redesign last year, has now reached the milestone of 20 Programmes, 16 of which are fully running, only a few short of the target that we set ourselves. Five new Themes had been selected by the end of 2005, seven Programmes have started research funding and network- ing (with additional research money of approximately €5 million), and three more Programmes are about to enter the research phase (with funding of between €13- 8 million expected). We continue to recognise and reward talent and achievement in science.