EU research funds not to be distributed on a geographic basis

The European Parliament wants European research funds to be distributed based on excellence and impact, and not on geography. This can be read in a report approved in the Industry, Research and Energy Committee. It contains a series of recommendations for an enhanced operation of Horizon 2020, the European subsidy programme for research and innovation. MEP Anneleen Van Bossuyt was closely involved in the discussion on behalf of the ECR The N-VA is a member of the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), a conservative, eurorealistic parliamentary group in the European Parliament. The N-VA shares their realistic view of the European project and also advocates for the correct and intensive application of the subsidiarity principle. For example, we must not be afraid to ask ourselves if it would be better to leave certain European initiatives to the Member States. The N-VA also identifies with the emphases that the ECR places on the social-economic issues. Since the 2014 elections, the ECR has become the third largest parliamentary group in the European Parliament. ECR group: “It should only be possible for the best research project to be supported with tax revenue. This may result in Central and Eastern European Member States getting less money from the European research programme, but that is greatly compensated by the structural funds. They can use that money to make up their backlog,” she says.

With Horizon 2020, Europe is investing almost EUR 80 billion over a period of seven years in research and innovation on a range of challenges for society such as the fight against terrorism, climate change and health. “This is a great example of a European investment that offers clear added value,” Anneleen Van Bossuyt says. “It is much more efficient to coordinate research rather than to carry out the same research separately in each Member State. What’s more, every euro invested in European research yields eleven. This investment is essential for the further growth of the economy.”

Member States themselves must also invest

European Member States have committed to investing 3% of their GDP The gross domestic product (GDP) is the total monetary value of all goods and services produced within a country, both by companies and the government. This term is usually used as a benchmark for a country’s prosperity. This is why the N-VA closely follows the evolution of the Belgian GDP. GDP in research and development. A few northern Member States are already achieving that objective, while other Member States are lagging hopelessly behind. “With 2.5%, Flanders is resolutely on track to achieve the 3% standard and is thus shouldering its responsibility in the matter. Member States mustn’t just look at Europe for subsidies, they themselves must also invest,” Anneleen Van Bossuyt emphasises.

Lowering the threshold for businesses

With its universities and research institutions, Flanders indeed scores very strongly in the framework of Horizon 2020. Unfortunately, it is companies that are the most noticeable by their absence. Not one Flemish company appears in the top 50 biggest recipient partners. In the report, Anneleen Van Bossuyt therefore emphasised the involvement of companies in the programme: “We must make Horizon 2020 even more attractive to companies. We can do so by simplifying participation conditions or registration procedures. These items came to the fore during a roundtable discussion I recently organised with a large number of Flemish companies. At the same time, companies must agree that the research results in question will be freely available to all. After all, Horizon 2020 is financed with tax revenue.”