Key position points:
- The next European Framework Programme for Research and Innovation should provide sufficient funding for open networks that are selected under a bottom-up and inclusive approach, ensure scientific and technological excellence, have a multidisciplinary character, and encourage involvement along the whole value chain of production and dissemination of knowledge.
- The activities of these networks should create links and synergies between all European countries and enable the connection of various islands of excellence in Europe and beyond; and ensure the maximization of resources, the defragmentation of knowledge and effective leveraging of nationally funded research.
- Within these networks, there should be a special focus on young researchers allowing them to fully use their talent and encouraging ‘brain circulation’.
- COST has the tools and experience to contribute to these objectives through activities that produce scientific results, propel careers, and use an inclusive approach to strengthen European scientific and technological development.
COST can become the leading open networking programme within the ERA through the critical impact it achieves by pooling national investment for research and innovation projects. COST addresses societal challenges by focusing on emerging topics of research and breakthrough knowledge that will provide relevant input for the next Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. COST’s policies, objectives, and activities, will contribute to the DG R&I’s ‘three O’s’ priorities: Open Science, Open Innovation, Open to the World. COST activities will enhance brain circulation, and contribute to production and exploitation of excellent European science and innovation. In order to fulfill these objectives, COST will need its budget to be reinforced in the next European Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, as well as a funding scheme that is better suited to its organisation.