Basic aims of ESF

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Basic aims of ESF

• to advance European cooperation in basic research
  (mobility of researchers, free flow of
  information and ideas, use of facilities)
• to examine and advise on research and science
  policy issues of strategic importance
• to plan, and where appropriate, to manage
  collaborative research activities

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ESF structure
Assembly
Governing CouncilExecutive Board
Scientific Standing Committees
Expert Committees Boards (EMB, EPB, CRAF,
ESSC,NuPECC)
MedicalSciencesEMRC
Life EnvironmentalSciencesLESC
Physical EngineeringSciencesPESC
HumanitiesSCH
SocialSciencesSCSS

• EURESCOCommittee

Strasbourg office
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ESF instruments

• Exploratory workshops
• European research conferences
• Scientific networks
• Scientific programmes
• Science policy workshops/symposia
• Scientific forward looks
• EUROCORES (European Science Foundation
  Collaborative Research Programmes)

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Exploratory workshops

• normally one-off specialist meetings
• spearheading topics
• bottom-up through Open Call
• occasionally top-down on key topics
• may lead to ESF or other networks à la carte
  programmes FP proposals position statements
• 25-30 scientists involved

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European research conferences (EURESCO)

• 80-100 scientists involved
• supported by EURESCO Office
• ESF new funding mechanism 1999
• links to EC Framework Programme Conference Scheme

Established 1990
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European research conferences (EURESCO)

• stimulation of free discussion on forefront
  topics
• no published proceedings
• bring together younger and more experienced
  researchers
• may develop into series with conferences every 2
  years

Established 1990
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Scientific networks

• planned package of workshops, exchange visits and
  dissemination for a three-year period
• encouragement given to inter-disciplinarity
• Core Steering Groups of 8-12 people
• reaching out to the wider community
• self-managed
• financial limit 75k - 100k

Established 1985
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Scientific programmes(à la carte funding)

• coordination of major scientific endeavours over
  a five-year period
• supported by ESF Member Organisations through
  additional à la carte funding
• typically include workshops, inter-laboratory
  exchanges, fellowship programmes and dissemination

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Scientific programmes(à la carte funding)

• Core Steering Group of 8-12 scientists
• may link to other initiatives, including the
  Framework Programme
• may arise from exploratory workshops, networks or
  directly (PESC issues on Open Call)
• financing in the range of 90k - 250k per annum

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Scientific policy workshops/symposia

• includes Science Policy and Large Research
  Facilities meetings
• 50-100 scientists / science administrators /
  policy makers
• lead to reports or to new ESF initiatives
• close involvement with Member Organisations

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Large research facilities (LRFs)

• in ESF mandate since 1974
• ESF scientific studies for LRFs has led to the
  creation of new facilities eg ESRF
• LRF studies comprise analysis of the scientific
  and technical care and follow up with funding
  organisations
• ESF also undertakes assessments and evaluations
  of LRFs

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Large research facilities

• Recent studies
• Broad band computer-networking in Europe
• European social survey
• Scientific case for a European 100-tesla
  laboratory
• Review of synchrotron facilities for the
  biosciences
• Survey of neutron scattering facilities (with
  OECD)
• Radio astronomy frequencies

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Large research facilities

• are a key element in the construction of the
  European Research Area
• provide the research environment necessary to
  attract and retain young researchers
• ESF working with the EC towards the Research
  Infrastructures Conference, Strasbourg, September
  2000

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ESF Scientific Forward Looks

• medium - long term scientific perspectives
• multidisciplinary topics viewed from a European
  level
• brings together scientists and policy makers from
  ESF Member Organisations
• wide consultation
• major reports and action plans should result

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European Science FoundationCollaborative
Research Programmes

• EUROCORES
• To provide European critical mass in specific
  topics
• To develop multilateral funding collaboration
• Open and transparent variable geometry
• International peer review essential
• Funding remains national but networked

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European Science Foundation

• 1 quai Lezay-Marnésia
• 67080 Strasbourg cedex
• France
• Tel [phone]
• Fax [phone]
• Email communications_at_esf.org
• www.esf.org