40 Amendments of Christian EHLER related to 2011/2107(INI)
Amendment 4 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas, based on the budget review, the European Commission has decided to launch a debate to improvmaximise the efficiency of research and innovation funding at national and EU levels and to handle the allocation of financial resources for EU research and innovation programs as a top-priority of the EU,
Amendment 12 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas we are currently experiencing an economic and social crisis (which is affecting EU Member States in very different ways), and whereas research, education and innovation are crucial instruments for both economic recovery and job creation, as well as for the definition of a sustainable and inclusive growth model; whereas the main EU priority should be to maximise the growth and jobs potential of the EU by achieving the aims of the EU 2020 flagship initiatives,
Amendment 17 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas other regions and countries of the world are increasingly investing in R&D&I, and whereas EU investment in this domain should therefore be oriented towards a reinforcement of scientific capacity and an improvement in overall EU competitive capacity; whereas the creation of a consistent set of support tools along the whole “innovation chain" is needed, ensuring proper balance between the academically oriented research, the applied scientific research and innovation,
Amendment 46 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the European Commission Green Paper defining a Common Strategic Framework (CSF) for funding in research and innovation, and considers that the new CSF core should be the articulation of the EU research programmes and funding schemes; considers, however, that under no circumstances should such a structure lead to university-level science being placed at a disadvantage compared to other actors in the competition for increasingly scarce subsidies;
Amendment 51 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Calls for a concerted public and private effort at European and national levels to reach the Europe 2020 target of 3 % of gross domestic product (GDP) expenditure on R&D, to achieve the creation of the European Research Area and of an ‘Innovation Union’; calls on the EU institutions and the Member States to agree without further delay on a specific roadmap for achieving this target, and points to the massive economic commitment that this target would entail, amounting to around 130 billion Euro annually for both the EU and national budgets and twice as much for the private sector;
Amendment 65 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Draws attention to the importance of maintaining convergence policies, and asks the Commission to build stairways to excellence for those MS and regions that are underrepresented in the FP by developing appropriate instruments to intensify cooperation between MS with a strong participation and those with a weaker participation, and to substantially increase human capacity building and infrastructure in the latter; takes the view that Structural Funds should be deployed to their full extent to support capacity building in the regions through dedicated activities aimed at founding centres of excellences, modernising universities, purchase of scientific equipment, local technology transfer, support to start-ups and spin-offs, and local interaction between industry and academia; believes that this will allow a stairway of excellence to be developed, leading these regions to fully participate in the Common Strategic Framework for Research and Innovation, based on quality and excellence;
Amendment 84 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Recalls that although excellence is considered the main general criterion for funding, it must be borne in mindIs convinced that the principle of excellence within the European research area remains the basis for the future competitiveness of Europe; recalls that the nature of excellence differs with the type of participant or the very nature of the research and innovation project (the excellence; stresses that technical improvement, innovation and market creation should be the main criteriona for aindustry and applied research; institution is not the same as for an individual researcher or for an SME, and also differs between fundamental and applied projects)s convinced that cohesion instruments, such as structural funds, should strengthen the development of excellence and capacity building by a better compatibility with research and innovation at regional level;
Amendment 85 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Recalls that although excellence is considered the main general criterion for funding, it must be borne in mind that the nature of excellence differs with the type of participant or the very nature of the research and innovation project (the excellence criterion for a research institution is not the same as for an individual researcher or for an SME, and also differs between fundamental and applied projects)Is convinced that the principle of excellence within the European research area remains the basis for the future competitiveness of Europe; recalls that the nature of excellence differs with the type of participant or the very nature of the research and innovation project; is convinced that cohesion instruments, such as structural funds, should strengthen the development of excellence and capacity building by a better compatibility with research and innovation at regional level;
Amendment 92 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Criticises the lack of transparency and information on future calls for proposals for research projects; notes that this results in researchers and institutes being unable to prepare themselves fully and in time; calls on the Commission and the Member States to inform the various actors more effectively about access to the framework programme;
Amendment 95 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Points out the importance of joint technological initiatives such as the IMI in furthering scientific knowledge in Europe;
Amendment 101 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls for a better articulation between local and regional, national and European cross-boarder research and innovation strategies, respecting the specificities of the different contexts and, at the same time, reinforcing the possibilities for complementarity and cooperation between them; believes that sharing information and results is of key importance here; emphasises at the same time the paramount importance of collaboration with other research entities and innovation clusters outside the EU;
Amendment 115 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Recalls the importance of assuring continuity of successful instruments (including JTIs) between the 7th Framework Programme and the next Common Strategic Framework in particular in the cooperation programmes that have proven their value; believes that the need of specific sectors must be taken into account in order to meet the European long term objectives and that enough room and opportunity should be left also for new players;
Amendment 127 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Proposes making access to European funding easier, for example by: - setting up a single contact point, - establishing a principle of ‘one project, one document’, - creating an internet site for partner- seeking, - mapping the entities working towards the same objective, - setting up a forum for exchanges of good practice;
Amendment 129 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Recommends that national and regional funds should contribute to the funding of ERC, Marie Curie or collaborative projects that meet the criteria of excellence but cannot be funded due to lack of European funds;
Amendment 130 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 b (new)
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6b. Recommends that the Commission analyses the possibility of setting up an all-European common fund financed by the Structural Funds to promote collaborative European research;
Amendment 134 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Is convinced that different tasks within the CSF should be tackled separately but in close articulationrelationship with each other: the European Institute of Technology (EIT) to operate mainly as a network of Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP) to concentrate on its strength in supporting innovative SMEs and therefore not necessarily to be included in the next FP; the next FP to embrace research as a whole; and the structural/cohesion funds to be used in closer cooperation but kept separate; takes the view that collaborative projects should remain the backbone of the CSF;
Amendment 145 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Calls for clarification, simplification and reorganisation of the different EU programmes and instruments in existence, for a clear definition of the overall funding system, and for the EU research and innovation programmes budget for the next financial period to be doubled as of 2014 (excluding the budget devoted to Structural Funds and the EIB) as the appropriate response to the current economic crisis and to the great shared challenges; suggests, therefore, a new organisational model based on three different layers of funding aimed at stability and convergence:; recalls that standardization should be taken into account in addressing grand challenges and shaping priority areas of the CSF, but should not be a new separate instrument or activity;
Amendment 152 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Calls for a clarification, simplification and reorganisation of the different EU programmes and instruments in existence; believes that a radical overhaul of the administration of the FP is one of the highest priorities to be tackled in designing the forthcoming CSF; invites the Commission to assess the effectiveness of each individual instrument, within each programme, towards the achievement of specific policy goals; calls for a reduction in the diversity of instruments whenever effectiveness or distinctive contribution is not clearly demonstrated;
Amendment 190 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. This layer is the space for overall research, fundamental and applied, and social sciences and humanities; coordination participants are universities and research centres/institutes, although the industrial sector should be encouraged to participatein close cooperation with the industrial sector;
Amendment 202 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. The funding scheme within this layer is covered by the EU FP grants system and cooperation with Structural Funds associated with R&D&I; also encourages simplification of interactions between projects financed by the EU and external funding bodies;
Amendment 210 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Recalls that the European Research Council (ERC) has proved to be successful and a strengthening element of the European Research Area (ERA); calls on the Commission to assess the options for further improvements to the ERA’s structures and mechanisms; stresses the need to increase the proportion of the budget dedicated to grants to young researchers, as well to strengthen Marie Curie actions and initiatives, thus reinforcing mobility; calls for the implementation of the necessary measures to cope with the precarious conditions of scientific workers in the EU as a means to attract and retain researchers, bearing in mind that precarious working conditions (which are still more prevalent for women) constitute a bottleneck on the way to achieving excellence in Europe;
Amendment 219 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Welcomes the steady progress towards a balanced participation of men and women in the framework programme; agrees that measures to boost female participation should be reinforced throughout project lifecycles and that the Commission should reinvigorate its approach to promoting female scientists and should aim to galvanise Member States to address gender gaps; underlines that the 40% target for female participation in the Programme and Advisory Committees should be implemented;
Amendment 228 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. This layer is the space for marketing of products and services and generation of public wealth; innovative industry, especially SMEs play a pivotal role here in developing novel products and, services, processes, etc;
Amendment 229 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. This layer is the space for marketing of products and services and generation of public wealth; innovative SMEs play a pivotal role here in developing and bringing to market novel products and services;
Amendment 237 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Recognises that particular attention should be devoted to SMEs’ involvement, in order to enable the exploitation of new ideas and opportunities in a flexible and effective way as they emerge, opening new avenues for innovation; stresses that a sector-specific definition of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) is a prerequisite for their successful participation in the CSF; recalls that heavy administrative burdens lead to a decrease in participation of SME;
Amendment 243 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. The funding scheme within this layer is covered by EU funding associated with CIP, access to credit enhancement by the EIF and specific loans from the EIB (mainly covering projects under EUR 50 million), and cooperation with the Structural Funds associated with entrepreneurship; additionally, suggests the creation of a new funding instrument – the EU SME Bank – which should act in articulation with national contact points and financial institutions designated by the MS;
Amendment 247 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. The funding scheme within this layer is covered by EU funding associated with CIP, access to credit enhancement by the EIF and specific loans from the EIB (mainly covering projects under EUR 50 million), and cooperation with the Structural Funds associated with entrepreneurship; additionally, suggests the creation of a new funding instrument – the EU SME Bank – which should act in articulation with national contact points and financial institutions designated by the MSrecalls that the Risk Sharing Finance Facility (RSFF) has proven itself successfully as an instrument for innovation financing; believes that the RSFF should further be applied in such a way that a granting of funds at a small level is possible via national intermediates;
Amendment 248 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. The funding scheme within this layer is covered by EU funding associated with CIP, access to credit enhancement by the EIF and specific loans from the EIB (mainly covering projects under EUR 50 million), and cooperation with the Structural Funds associated with entrepreneurship; additionally, suggests the creation of a new funding instrument – the EU SME Bank – which should act in articulation with national contact points and financial institutions designated by the MSrecalls that the Risk Sharing Finance Facility (RSFF) has proven itself successfully as an instrument for innovation financing; believes that the RSFF should further be applied in such a way that a granting of funds at a small level is possible via national intermediates;
Amendment 252 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
Amendment 253 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
Amendment 254 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
Amendment 299 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Favours moving towards a ’'science- valorisation and innovation based’ approach and calls for a trust-based and risk-tolerant attitude towards participants at all stages of the funding system;
Amendment 300 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Favours moving towards a ’science- and innovation/result-based’ approach and calls for a trust-based and risk-tolerant attitude towards participants at all stages of the funding system;
Amendment 303 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24a. Believes that the management of European research funding should be more trust-based and risk-tolerant towards participants; recommends broader acceptance of usual accounting practices for the eligible costs; is of the opinion that lump sums and flat rates should be used on a voluntary basis; calls on the Commission to shorten time-to- contract to maximum 6 months; stresses the need for simplification of the application and contractual procedures; recommends a reduced set of rules and common principles for funding to govern EU funding for R&D;
Amendment 312 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Calls for the Cooperation Programme to be kept at the heart of the FP, reinforcing collaborative transnational research; to achieve this objective, believes that the Cooperation Programme should cover the whole innovation chain from exploratory research to large scale demonstrations and dedicate ring fenced budgets to sectors having developed a strategic vision to address societal challenges with long term investment cycles;
Amendment 323 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Asks the Commission to ensure a greater independence of individual projects in the CSF, granting project leaders more flexibility in how to organise, manage and prioritise their projects;
Amendment 352 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Calls for a balance to be kept between bottom-up (cooperative) and top-down projects (’great societal challenges’), as well as for smaller bottom-up projects to be facilitatedand bottom-up collaborative research to be facilitated; takes the view that lower entry barriers for cooperation projects would lead to a reinforcement of scientific capacity;
Amendment 363 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27a. Draws attention to the potential of security research for the security of citizens, infrastructure and utilities; underlines, therefore, the need for an independent and reinforced security theme within the CSF;
Amendment 369 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Calls for an intensification of international cooperation through effective reinforcement of capacity building and the establishment of fair partnerships with developing countries in order better to tackle global challengeswith the strategic partners of the European Union in order better to tackle global challenges; recalls that an intensification of international cooperation is only effective when procedures are simplified and lead times for permit applications are significantly shortened;
Amendment 370 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Calls for an intensification of international cooperation through effective rewith the EU’s strategic partners inf orcement of capacity building and the establishment of fair partnerships with developing countries ider better to tackle global challenges; is of the opinion that simplified procedures and short terms for applications for authorisations makes participation morder better to tackle global challenge attractive for third countries;