The European Association of Research Managers and Administrators (EARMA) welcomes the opportunity to provide our unique perspective and input to the public consultation on the past, present, and future of the European Research & Innovation (R&I) Framework programmes 2014-2027.
The unique perspective of the EARMA membership comes from our focus on maximising participation of our member institutions and organisations in European R&I programmes. Therefore, successful implementation of Horizon EU programmes by the European Commission (EC) is sought.
Recommendations
Call design: We recommend a review of the proposal template taking account of the increased requirements from a user/applicant perspective.
Bottom-up: We recommend the inclusion of a bottom-up pilot in Pillar 2 for collaborative projects as a general practice and for SSH, in particular.
Timing: We call for more pre-work programme planning to enhance the quality of proposal submission.
Timing: EARMA will support the EC in securing adequate budgetary commitments in Horizon Europe and successor programmes.
Timing: We encourage the EC to ensure that evaluators can and do provide an adequate level of specific detail.
Lump Sum model: We recommend the use of Lump Sum models for smaller consortia, cooperative and support actions (CSA) or higher Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) projects only.
Impact: We request the EC to provide a range of best practice impact examples from the first rounds of Horizon Europe. Finally, evaluations must include a realistic judgement of feasibility of the pathways presented.
Gender equality: We would recommend periodical assessment and implementation reporting on the practical outcomes of the inclusion of the Researcher Table as a means to capture this information.
Missions: We would welcome more clarity on the implementation of the Missions in Horizon Europe.
Partnership and joint programming: We would welcome more clarity and a better understanding of strategic programme decision-making at national and EU levels.
Partnership and joint programming: We would suggest a minimum amount of co-funding per Member State to be agreed at call design stage.
Open Science: We encourage the EC to take further steps in the following areas, whilst continuing to support the implementation of Open Science:
- Data gathering to determine the tangible level of Open Access to publication and FAIR data in Horizon Europe.
- Recommend the establishment of a Research Data Management Helpdesk, similar to the Dissemination Booster and the IP Helpdesk to ensure the long-term preservation of research data generated with EU funding.
- To commence a consultative foresight process on the future of Open Science.
Reform of research assessment: We support Europe in realising its potential to become a global leader, not only in Open Science but towards fostering an inclusive research culture.
Widening: We would welcome a meaningful review of widening measures to determine success with the inclusion of the widening partners and potential cocreation.
Synergies: We recommend the further strengthening of synergies among the various EU funding programmes with a more bottom-up and less prescriptive approach to priority areas to deliver innovation.
Synergies: We strongly recommend the re-establishing of a Science with and for Society SWAFS like action line in Horizon Europe and successor programmes.
Synergies: We call for a long-term collaborative (DG RTD, DG EAC) funding instruments to enable sustainable European Universities to deliver upon their vision.
International cooperation: We welcome greater clarity and confirmation of associate country status for smooth proposal preparation.
International cooperation: We welcome increased funding for international cooperation and global reach.
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