Teaming Excellence as a social duty
Against the background of the negotiations between the EU Commission, the European Parliament and the European Council to decide the form of the future EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation Horizon 2020, Max Planck President Peter Gruss made the following statement:
“Europe’s prosperity is critically dependent on the strength and capacity of its research landscape. Science is the source of knowledge and innovation, and so also the engine of sustainable growth. Horizon 2020, the future EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, is therefore of pivotal importance. In view of the discussions surrounding the adequacy of the European Union’s financial budget, it is welcome to note that the European Council, as well as the Parliament and the EU Commission all emphasise this key role and hold out the prospect of an increased budget relative to the previous Framework Programme.
If science is to advance to best advantage, it needs competition. Funding at the cutting edge, such as that granted by the European Research Council (ERC), must be allocated exclusively according to the criterion of scientific excellence. Yet at the same time, supporting the European Research Area as a whole allows growth potential to unfold. The concern shared by all political forces to establish excellent research in regions of Europe that have so far been less strong in this field is effectively acted upon in the “Teaming Excellence” concept. The white paper on this subject drafted by the Max Planck Society in collaboration with selected European universities and research organisations is meeting with broad support in the scientific and political communities. The European Council initiative to adopt this concept within the third strand of Horizon 2020 (“Societal Challenges”) as part of the funding for “inclusive, innovative and secure societies” to promote further convergence in Europe ideally reflects the objectives of “Teaming Excellence”. It is ultimately a question of addressing the challenges facing society. This positioning will not least ensure that the ERC is best able to make use of funding from the first strand and thus also provide support for excellent research.”
