RESPONSE TO THE GREEN PAPER ON THE COMMON STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK FOR EUROPEAN RESEARCH AND INNOVATION FUNDING

Transcription

1 REPUBLIC OF POLAND MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND HIGHER EDUCATION RESPONSE TO THE GREEN PAPER ON THE COMMON STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK FOR EUROPEAN RESEARCH AND INNOVATION FUNDING MAY 2011 Page 1 of 15

2 The Government of the Republic of Poland welcomes the EC Communication, which poses questions that are of utmost importance for the economic future of Europe. Moreover, the Government notices that the document includes precise identification of main challenges that are faced by societies in Europe and in the whole world. The starting point for establishing the position of Poland with regard to the EC Communication is the priority of the Polish Presidency: full use of Europe's intellectual capital. The aim of thus formulated priority is to draw attention to the necessity of holistic approach to issues being of utmost importance to the more dynamic, sustainable and cohesive development of the European Union. The priority is also expected to encourage identification and better exploitation of synergy between activities and initiatives at the EU and national level. The importance of the full use of Europe's intellectual capital to the benefit of citizens, entrepreneurs and scientists, particularly in the field of research and innovation, was underlined in the conclusions of both the EU Competitiveness Council and the European Council 1. In this context and in relation to the timetable concerning the future financial perspective, the following sectoral priorities in the field of research have been established: - development of a more harmonized future research and innovation, Framework Programme, - greater synergy between the cohesion policy and the future Framework Programme. The abovementioned priorities result from the analysis of previous experiences in the scope of executing programmes supporting the development of scientific research and innovation in the EU (including, in particular, the FP 7). The analysis shows that there are still some problems concerning fragmentation of research, uneven development of the European Research Area (ERA), only partial exploitation of the existing potential as well as complicated administrative and financial procedures. The Report on the Interim Evaluation of the Framework Programme 7 shows an alarming trend of differentiating the levels of participation of particular Member States in the FP (10% of the best research centres hold almost 80% of participation and funds). The intensification of this trend causes marginalization of a great part of Europe's intellectual capital and forms a new division in the field of knowledge, which can endanger the implementation of the Europe 2020 Strategy and the creation of an integrated European Research Area. The Government of the Republic of Poland supports the activity of the EC in respect of simplification of rules and procedures concerning programmes supporting research and innovation activity, and indicates the need to identify the causes of underrepresentation of some Member States. The Government of the Republic of Poland holds the view that the future Framework Programme must be governed by common administrative and financial, organizational and information procedures, and the rules and terms of participation in different programmes must be harmonized, in order to create a cohesive and transparent system within the European Research Area. At the same time, the Government of the Republic of Poland wishes to underline the fact that the current differences between the EU regions in the view of the level of innovativeness 1 The European Council Conclusions of 4 February 2011: The European Council called for the implementation of a strategic and integrated approach to boosting innovation and taking full advantage of Europe's intellectual capital, to the benefit of citizens, companies - in particular SMEs - and researchers. In the Competitiveness Council Conclusions of 29 November 2011, it was indicated that "[the strategic and integrated approach to research and innovation]... should make it possible to obtain the best synergy effect between various EU policies and national/regional policies and as part of these policies, as well as ensure greater involvement of all parties interested in the innovation process, and support the full employment of the Europe's intellectual capital." Page 2 of 15

3 require special attention while formulating the Common Strategic Framework for EU research and innovation funding as well as adequate framework for the cohesion policy. The Government of the Republic of Poland claims that such an approach to formulation of this strategic document, in which scientific research and innovation are perceived as an opportunity for development of all EU regions, is reasonable. The Government of the Republic of Poland supports the EC actions for ensuring greater synergy and harmony between different instruments, in particular between cohesion policy funds and scientific research and innovation programmes (especially the future Framework Programme). Actions aiming at establishing the position of Poland with regard to the future Framework Programme were taken up well ahead. In 2010, extensive consultation with the scientific environment and entrepreneurs was carried out, and an opinion of experts of the National Contact Point for the EU Framework Programmes was prepared. On this basis, guidelines concerning the position of Poland in relation to the future Framework Programme were prepared before the EC Communication was published. The Government of the Republic of Poland supports the view that the Framework Programme is the most important financial instrument that supports the creation of a balanced and harmonized European Research Area. It should exploit the intellectual capital human, structural, relational and social of the whole EU in an optimal way. This aim can be achieved if we take into account the conclusions from the Report on the Interim Evaluation of FP 7 as well as the following recommendations: Great benefit would derive from the simplification of the complex and various instruments, through the harmonization of activities performed under the FP7, CIP and EIT programmes. This would assist in the design and management of coherent financial instruments supporting highest level research and innovation activity which is focused on major social and market needs. Existing administrative barriers could be overcome with a more simple and flexible administration and financial system based upon comprehensible and promptly executed procedures which involve a greater degree of trust. The harmonized development of a more competitive ERA may be better assured by an appropriate balance between funding for frontier research and that for applied, developmental, commercialization and innovation work. It is also Poland s belief that more interdisciplinary projects should be accepted. The smooth transition from the existing to a new system should be based upon a sound balance between continuity and change. The introduction of new instruments should be limited and acceptable only when adding significant value to the present operation. In frontier research, excellence must be the dominant criterion. There is, however, a need for a better definition of the term in this context, coupled with evaluation focused more on scientific merit of the projects' proposals. In applied research principle of excellence could be reinforced by and matched with other principles, including inclusiveness, cost efficiency, fair remuneration, relevance of research and contribution to economic growth and employment. This approach is considered to be essential within the constraints of the present economic situation. For improved innovation performance, it is crucial to recognize new-technology startups and the SME sector as key actors. To this end, an adequate level of participation should be assured, extending to Mobility Action Plans. Page 3 of 15

4 In order to improve and invigorate European competitiveness, the inherent potential of all regions should be taken into account. The coincidence of improvements to future FP programmes and the development of new rules for the cohesion policy presents a unique opportunity in this area which should be utilized to the full. Common administrative and financial regulations should be implemented, synergy between different financial resources exploited and the smart specializations of regions supported. The diversity of the EU must be accepted and exploited as a strength. The balanced participation of both large and small research teams and enterprises, experienced and young researchers, will increase the research and innovation capacities of the ERA. This approach would also benefit the distribution of research infrastructure of various scales. The future prosperity and security of the European Union depends upon a high quality educated and mobile population. It cannot be emphasized enough that it is essential to support most strongly all efforts to professionalize and facilitate the careers of early-stage researchers, as well as maintaining a focus on research-based training and mobility schemes for young entrepreneurs. Cooperation for the Europe 2020 strategy The Government of the Republic of Poland points out that the Common Strategic Framework for research and innovation will be able to play an adequate role only if it has a horizontal character in relation to a wide range of instruments and consistently responds to key challenges faced by the EU. This requires harmonization of instruments and introduction of complementary solutions available on the EU, national and regional levels, which are financed with funds from various strategic frameworks (e.g. research and development, and the cohesion policy) and with domestic funds. The weakness of the system discussed in the Communication is maintenance of a great number of instruments and programmes, which results in deepening fragmentation of ERA. Poland considers that it is necessary to integrate and eliminate fragmentation by establishing the basis for the Common Strategic Framework for research and innovation, in the form of three pillars: an integrated European system of an interdisciplinary and cross-sectional character (the future Framework Programme), encompassing the present FP 7 for research and technological development, the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology, an integrated supranational research system (European Research Area instruments) encompassing ERA-NETs, programmes under Article 185 (an article from the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, allowing for implementation of research programmes by groups of Member States) and JPI (Joint Programming Initiatives), an open cross-border scientific cooperation system, enabling partial opening of domestic programmes (open cross-border research), aiming at further development of scientific cooperation between EU Member States. An integrated European system future Framework Programme The shape of the future Framework Programme should ensure integration of actions of all the partners in the so called knowledge triangle (research education innovation), and put emphasis on knowledge transfer, both by implementation of research results and by mobility of students and scientists, in order to reinforce the EU economy. On the other hand, the Page 4 of 15

5 Creation of a special programme or an application path, in which by means of one application for financial aid, it would be possible to obtain a funding guarantee for the whole project cycle (from the research phase to commercialisation) successive portions of support would be obtained after detailed evaluation of the result of each previous stage. structure of the future programme should not lead to the formation of thematic groups or separation of support for research, development and innovation. The structure of the Framework Programme should encourage creation of instruments encompassing the whole innovation cycle: from the basic research phase, through the funding of prototype solutions, to the investment/implementation support. Yet, the support should depend on the complexity and the development (execution) phase of the undertaking. Member States should be encouraged to implement similar solutions, based on synergy between research and innovation funding, for example in the scope of Structural Funds expenditure. Decisions on the strategic financial framework, both in the area of research and innovation as well as cohesion policy, should underline this issue. The Government of the Republic of Poland suggests considering the possibility of creating a special programme or an application path, in which by means of one application for financial aid it would be possible to obtain a funding guarantee for the whole project cycle (from the research phase to commercialisation ) successive portions of support would be obtained after detailed evaluation of the result of each previous stage. The financing of the whole innovation cycle, from research to implementation, require adjustment of the project evaluation system. Building global The evaluation of scientific projects' excellence must apply greater focus on the evaluation of scientific idea's quality in relation to evaluation of the research team's potential. competitiveness requires support of excellence in research. Yet, as the project approaches the commercialisation phase, this criterion should evolve and cover additional values, such as economic effectiveness, market potential or the influence on social development. This evaluation of scientific projects' excellence must pay greater attention to the evaluation of scientific idea's quality in relation to evaluation of the research team's potential. Changes of this kind impose a new approach on the manner of evaluation and new expectations from reviewers. At the same time, the Government of the Republic of Poland points out that the future Framework Programme must keep the balance between the bottom-up financing (projects of curiosity driven research character), which generate new ideas of difficult to predict effects (e.g. interdisciplinary ones), and the top-down financing (projects responding to grand challenges). Both types of financing should be flexible in order to ensure proper proportions of financing for small and large projects. The possibility of financing small projects is particularly important in terms of ensuring participation of both small research teams and small (particularly micro) enterprises in the future Framework Programme. Integrated system of supranational research and cross-border cooperation Enabling participation in the future Framework Programme of associations of undertakings, especially the small and micro ones, having the form of clusters, networks, national or regional technology platforms etc. The Government of the Republic of Poland underlines that the existing supranational programmes (ERA-NETs, Article 185) and JPIs should be integrated into one coherent cohesive system (e.g. ERA Instruments), which could be a part of the next Framework Programme. According to the Government of the Republic of Poland, it would be reasonable to open some of the national programmes towards the participation of international teams on a reciprocal basis. Gradual opening of programmes can improve internationalization and integration of research as part of the European Research Area, by imposing creation of Page 5 of 15

6 international teams and development of common infrastructure. The analyses show that the possibilities for a given country to participate in a Framework Programme are proportional to its GERD (the Pearson's correlation factor between the financial contribution in FP 7 and GERD is 0,9). It would therefore be reasonable to create a common pot within supranational programmes, in which contributions would be proportional to GERD. This principle would make it possible to eliminate problems occurring in currently implemented supranational programmes. Harmonization and simplification The process of simplification and harmonization should be radical and should encompass organizational as well as financial and administrative aspects, both in Framework Programmes (for research and technological development and for competitiveness and innovation), in the European Institute of Innovation and Technology and in cohesion policy funds. The change should most of all consist in replacing the existing approach, based on cost control, with a result-based approach and a trust-based approach. The system would be based on precise specification of intended project results, since the allocation of EC Replacement of the existing approach, based on cost control, with a resultbased approach and a trust-based approach. funds would fully depend on the achievement of these results. Introducing a lump sum for costs of the whole project would eliminate reporting costs and it would shift control from the aspect of costs to the subject matter. The amount of the lump sum would be established by means of costs estimation, which is necessary for continuation of a given project, as it has been done so far. The Government of the Republic of Poland recommends solutions aimed at eliminating verification of payment claims, treated as detailed confirmation of costs incurred, in favour of accounting for effects, i.e. the level of accomplishment of objectives, including objectives achieved during the project (with adequate sanctions in accomplish the objectives). case of failure to According to the Government of the Republic of Poland, it would be reasonable to introduce a common set of principles for different programmes and for instruments supporting research and innovation as well as cohesion policy instruments, which would enable flexible creation of instruments suitable for providing support to individual stages of the innovation cycle, from basic research to commercialisation of new solutions. The changes should be recorded in documents specifying the rules of participation in the programmes, particularly in order to create an attractive offer for small and medium enterprises and to secure access to programmes for new technology start-ups. The Government of the Republic of Poland underlines that the aim of all the activities for synergy, harmonization and simplification in administrative and financial procedures should consist of : reducing the time required for application and project management; increasing flexibility allowing for project modification based on results obtained in its previous stages; enabling application of intervention instruments, which would enable quick verification of a given concept, from the point of view of innovative value. In order to maintain the balance between the common set of rules, which would result in substantial simplification, and the necessity of keeping the flexibility and diversity, the Government of the Republic of Poland suggests introducing a limited catalogue of project types (e.g. organizational structures, networks, consortia) and models of financing. In such a case, individual instruments could be designed in a way to combine particular models of financing and types of projects. Page 6 of 15

7 Synergy of research and development policy with cohesion policy Government of the Republic of Poland highlights the need to implement synergy between programmes and initiatives for financing of scientific research and innovations in EU, i.e. between the successors of the current Framework Programmes (in the scope of technical research and development as well as competitiveness and innovation), European Institute of Innovation and Technology and cohesion policy funds. Due to its significance this issue is recognized as one of the priorities of the Polish Presidency in the EU Council. According to the government of the Republic of Poland there are two dimensions of this synergy. - financial dimension in which the cohesion policy funds at the national level should be directed in such a way to support necessary structural reforms and lead to excellence as well as to prepare as best as possible the national research teams for participation in European programmes. At the same time the New generation of REGPOT programmes in the form of Knowledge Partnerships, consisting in the identification of best research centres in the convergence regions developed in compliance with the concept of smart specialization and combining them into supranational (cross-border) associations (clusters) with leading European centres. Such programmes by way of association with financing of Knowledge Partnerships from structural funds may serve as an excellent example of synergy between thea research and innovation Framework Programme and cohesion policy. cohesion policy funds should be utilized directly for the purpose of increasing participation in European research programmes; - administrative dimension in which administrative issues should be organized, in particular by way of implementation of common principles for application and execution of research and innovation projects (e.g. common principles for settlement, common catalogue of eligible costs, unified principles for VAT tax settlement VAT eligibility). Government of the Republic of Poland highlights that cohesion policy should not only support elimination of discrepancies (e.g. support development of research infrastructure), but should also enable development of collaboration between Member States. The Government of the Republic of Poland sees the possibility to utilize funds under cohesion policy for a number of actions contributing to synergy with future Framework Programme and instruments that support supranational research, such as: - financing of research infrastructure of regional (supranational) significance, affiliated with European Roadmap of Research Infrastructure (European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures, ESFRI) along with ensuring access for researchers (mobility), - support for development of European Knowledge Partnerships; - financing of research and innovative enterprises that implement the concept of smart specialization; - financing of instruments encouraging to participate and facilitating participation in EU programmes (financing of preparatory phase at the national and international level), or rewarding excellent results of assessment, but without financing from European funds. - financing of community contribution to European or supranational projects the so called matching funds that may be utilized for co-financing participation in future framework programme as well as in Joint Programming Initiatives. This will require reactivation of multi-fund principle not only in the cohesion policy, but also in Framework Programme or other community financial instruments to which the matching funds mechanisms would apply. Page 7 of 15

8 Information policy The Government of the Republic of Poland supports the idea of development of the central information service point. According to the Government of the Republic of Poland, such central information service point should be linked to European base of the results of research financed from EU funds, which can by done, for example, by extending and properly adapting the existing EC OpenAire base. Extension and proper adaptation of the current EC base would foster pragmatic analysis of data, prevent research fragmentation and duplication of funds allocation to the same areas and better, central EU policy of informing about global tools of innovation and research financing and the results of such financing under specific strategic objectives. The Government of the Republic of Poland highlights also that a single Central European service point (including informative services) for all European programmes should simultaneously manage integrated network of national European Research Area contact points and European Enterprise Network. Common, unified informative system will enable effective management, streamline collaboration with beneficiaries and promotion. contact point in a given country where any entity (scientist, scientific unit, NGO or an entrepreneur) can obtain all the information in the scope of research and innovation financing in the EU would be a significant facilitating factor and additional incentive. Moreover such contact point should serve as the centre for initiating and developing business relations, including these international, in order to facilitate development of consortia that jointly apply for Union or domestic financing. Impact assessment According to the Government of the Republic of Poland particularly challenging issue is the measurement of success in resolution of problems resulting from huge challenges faced by Europe. Measuring value for Union financing in this scope should be the achievement of strategic, assumed objectives in the form of new solutions supporting smart and sustainable development (including social problems resolution), and in the case of basic research scientific publications and patents leading to implementation. According to the Government of the Republic of Poland another indicator may be the number of developed and applied technologies in industrial sectors, identified as strategic for EU economy and the scale of demand for such products or services in result of application of new technologies. In the opinion of the Government of the Republic of Poland it is desired to examine correlation between relevant instruments and indicators specific for grand challenges or application of evaluation tools for Impact Assessment. Facing societal challenges Global societal challenges require global solutions, including application of current and development of new collaboration platforms encompassing partners from many Member States. Better integration of various instruments directed to science and enterprises sectors will be of key significance for overcoming these challenges. Apart from future Framework Programme for research and innovation, other mechanisms, especially these related to demand, such as public procurement, must also be taken into consideration. In this context it is vital to specify the role of European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) whose Strategic Innovation Agenda (SIA) should correspond to the global challenges. The role of EIT should also be strengthened by way of determination of fixed financing line under, for example, European Research Council (ERC). Page 8 of 15

9 European Innovation Partnerships (EIPs) have also an important role to play for they have to create a proper platform for collaboration of all stakeholders, Member States, including these with less intense outlays on research, development and innovation activity, NGOs, scientists and enterprises, including small and medium-sized ones. In the course of specification of clear collaboration rules, acceptable for all Member States, EIPs may play an important role as coordinators in European system of research and development. However their target function can be specified after the evaluation of the pilot project related to Active and Healthy Aging (AHA). Catalogue of global challenges cannot be limited to these indicated in the communication Innovation Union. Dynamics of global challenges require constant debate on this subject and possibility to specify new challenges and thus research priorities. According to the Government of the Republic of Poland in the debate on global societal challenges it is essential to highlight the role of research related to social issues (human sciences, social sciences) that, based on the analysis of future social trends, social models and human behaviours in new conditions, are inevitable for proper understanding of Future Framework Programme must include laboratory of projects in the area of social innovation. Such laboratory should enable experimenting with new forms of collaboration, new models of project financing where the way of reaching specific solution of a social problem resulting from a grand challenge is free to choose. mechanisms such as economic downturn, in order to be able to prevent them or mitigate their effects in the future. It is also important to ensure support for projects contributing to the development of social innovations that are regularly growing in significance. The Government of the Republic of Poland emphasizes also that maintenance of balance between bottom-up and top-down research, including research in the scope of social and economic fields, ensures possibility to identify innovative solutions that can become source of further applied research. In the opinion of the Government of the Republic of Poland the European Union financing should in particular support the areas of economy, sectors, technologies that have been identified as strategic for development of innovations in the EU (Key Enabling Technologies) and that at the same time correspond to grand social challenges. The Government of the Republic of Poland notices the need for a more accurate reflection of the horizontal nature on information and communication technologies in the structure of EU research projects financing and for making information and communication technologies a priority. The Government of the Republic of Poland suggests that common actions in the scope of information and communication technologies (ICT) should be associated with objectives and actions resulting from European Digital Agenda, especially with respect to the EC postulate addressed to the Member States to double by 2020 research and innovation related spending to information and communication technologies for entrepreneurship stimulation. Long-term action planning should account for selected research areas according to the continuation principle. The Government of the Republic of Poland believes that mostly by way of education and improvement of its quality at all levels it is possible to initiate interest and develop awareness and involvement of citizens and civic society in issues related to science and resolution of social problems resulting mainly from grand challenges. It is also important to increase promotion at all levels of funds distribution (beginning with the European Union level through national managing institutions to final beneficiaries) that should in a greater extent utilize advanced communication methods (e.g. social media). This should be complemented Page 9 of 15

10 by increased access to information on results and application of results of research financed from public sources according to the open access model. Improved competitiveness Building of modern European economy should be based on involvement of all Member States and account for their current social and economic conditions and development-related ambitions. Each Member State has its own unique resources and experience that may be a source of economic growth, prosperity of the entire European society and sustainable development of Europe as well as obstacles and problems that may hamper this development. Competitiveness of European Union will depend on the extent to which European economy will use intellectual capital that exists in all EU societies and economies. Holistic approach to all the components of intellectual capital (human, structural, social and relational) in the context of research and innovation policy in the EU seems especially important from the perspective of challenges that emerge in the global environment. In practice this means that the future Framework Programme has to address the following issues: strengthening supranational collaboration of research teams and entrepreneurs, creating, developing and ensuring access to cutting-edge research infrastructures, greater involvement of enterprises, including SMEs, as well as improvement of conditions for mobility, especially of young scientists. Desired solution would be the introduction of calls that favour micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and offer financing for first two phases of product/service development: phase I lasting app. 6 months encompasses submission of proposal of solutions to problem inquiry by all stakeholders (without specification of organizational and legal form, but with exclusion of large enterprises); phase II lasting app. 2 years encompasses scientific research and development of proposal submitted in phase I and ends with assessment of commercialization potential; phase III encompasses marketing process of the developed solution with contribution of private funds Implementation of the future integrated Framework Programme must be based on effectively managed process of development of harmonised European Research Area and creation of unified market of knowledge, research and innovation. From the perspective of future Framework Programme s impact on the EU competitiveness it is essential according to the Government of the Republic of Poland to adapt support type to innovation cycle. It is necessary to maintain grant financing from generation of ideas to development of prototype and launching pilot production. In the commercialization stage, after successful pilot, revolving instruments must be introduced. The Government of the Republic of Poland recognizes as reasonable broader utilization of financial engineering instruments at this stage of innovation development, including privileged loans, guarantees and access to venture capital. It is required to ensure small and medium-sized enterprises (especially in the start-up phase) comprehensive financing that will encompass entire innovation cycle (from idea to marketing). The Government of the Republic of Poland highlights that offered financial instruments for SME innovation (e.g. Risk Sharing Finance Facility, RSFF) require further development, particularly greater accessibility for SMEs. The Government of the Republic of Poland supports the proposal to develop supplementary instrument, based on RSFF principle in the regional dimension. Moreover the Government of the Republic of Poland reports the need to eliminate barriers in the capital flow like Private Equity (investments on non-public capital market to earn medium- and long-term incomes from capital value increment) between Member States, which may be an Programmes such as the Specific Targeted Research Project (STREP), carried out by smaller consortia in short periods of time, should be promoted. Page 10 of 15

11 important factor stimulating development of small and medium-sized enterprises. At the same time, the Government of the Republic of Poland is of the opinion that introducing innovations requires a wide range of competences and activities which are not of technological nature. The Government of the Republic of Poland believes that projects consisting in implementing social innovations (e.g. changing behavioural patterns, models of consumption) in response to grand societal challenges, especially demographic changes, climate change, environmental pollution, energy safety, should be considered with the utmost attention. The Government of the Republic of Poland underlines that projects within this scope cannot be executed without the support and contribution of government authorities and local governments of Member States. It is therefore necessary to introduce the requirement to use project results in practice and present the scale of project impact ex ante (population, area, project innovativeness level). In the context of raw-materialand energy-consuming sectors, the Government of the Republic of Poland emphasises the necessity to promote and support innovativeness consisting in introducing technological, logistic and organisational changes reducing raw material and energy consumption in production processes. Such activities are significant from the point of view of providing entrepreneurs with a source of raw materials by finding substitutes for raw materials and semi-finished products which are rare and hazardous for the environment, as well as improving recycling methods. The Government of the Republic of Poland would also like to underline the significant role of the cultural sector (cultural heritage and cultural industry: music, film or publishing) in shaping non-technological innovations. Non-technological innovations include, apart from design, other creative industries, i.e. architecture, fashion or advertising. It will be crucial for the EU competitiveness to increase the participation of enterprises in the next Framework Programme. Entrepreneurs, especially owners of micro and small enterprises, might be encouraged to participate in European programmes by the establishment of a transparent and easily accessible system. Lowering barriers to entry resulting from administrative and financial simplifications shall constitute an incentive for entrepreneurs. Another significant incentive might be the possibility to participate in relatively small and individual research, demonstrative and implementation projects. Administrative simplifications and the transition to a system based on increased trust in aid recipients should allow for the organisation of a central European system for the implementation of such programmes (e.g. implemented by specialised agencies). The Government of the Republic of Poland is of the opinion that joint planning of innovative projects by groups of Member States might increase competitiveness at the EU level. Joint planning might be carried out especially through the community s Introducing European principles allowing for carrying out of programmes similar to the American SBIR in Member States. public procurement system. The modern public procurement system should be employed in order to increase the demand for innovative solutions, without creating excessive regulatory burdens. This process might be conducted, among others, by preparing a specification of functional requirements, which will provide entrepreneurs with as much liberty in the area of presenting innovative solutions as possible. Moreover, environmental criteria can also be included in community public procurements. This might not only impose pro-environmental activity on products and service providers, but also constitute a substantiation of the environmental protection policy. The procurement amount at EU level should be notably higher than in the case of procurements at national level, and the ordering parties should represent at least 3 Member States. Such activity may be connected to the need to increase the share of the Ministry of Treasury in the public procurement market. This need Page 11 of 15

12 has been noted by the Government of the Republic of Poland. The introduction of European rules analogical to the American Small Business Innovation and Research system should be considered. The Government of the Republic of Poland underlines the need to establish a harmonious, effective, costefficient and easily accessible EU patent system similar to the two industrial property protection systems currently functioning in the EU, namely the trademark and industrial design protection systems. The new system should find the balance between the necessity to protect technology and open access. It is Obliging the author of the financial results of activities financed from public funds to decide within 12 months about the manner of publishing these results either in the form of a patent or in the open access domain might prove an effective solution balancing property protection and openness. also very important to establish a uniform judicial system resolving patent disputes. The Government of the Republic of Poland recognises that the introduction of the obligation to publish financial results for activity financed from public funds is necessary. The lack of a coherent system in the area of patents constitutes a barrier for the internal market and inhibits more effective functioning of European entrepreneurs both on the Community and global market. Strengthening the European research base and the European Research Area The Government of the Republic of Poland shares the opinion of the EC that full implementation of the concept of the European Research Area is crucial for an innovative European Union, as ERA will ensure the free transfer of knowledge, innovation and scientists. The Government of the Republic of Poland supports the activities of the EC within this scope, yet it would like to note that apart from providing the so-called fifth freedom Further financing of basic research enabling consistent building up of intellectual capital and involving best researchers intending to carry out their projects in the EU, should be continued. This process will be supported by the previous transparent and simple system including two grant types: Starting grants and Advanced grants. (free transfer of knowledge and innovation), additional activities strengthening the development potential of all regions are necessary. The European Research Area cannot lead to the concentration of resources and increasing of disparities between the development levels of regions. ERA should enable sustainable growth of the entire EU and full use of intellectual capital (human, social, structural and relational) in all EU regions. In the opinion of the Government of the Republic of Poland, the European Research Council was successful in supporting research quality in the EU and should continue to function in compliance with the same principles. The basic principles of its operation should remain unchanged: - the ERC should take all its decisions independently and remain independent; - project financing should apply to all research fields, without any limitations; Due to the popularity of the action, it seems justified to increase the budget for the entire Marie Curie Programme. Moreover, it is especially important to increase the attractiveness of the offer for budding researchers, which could be achieved by creating new opportunities of financing within COFUND, which in the FP 7 was aimed only at experienced researchers. - the rules and regulations regarding application evaluation should be based on the peer review principle; Page 12 of 15

13 - the division involving Starting Grants and Advanced Grants should be maintained, and the budget should be divided equally into the two types of grants. Additionally, the Government of the Republic of Poland would like to express its contentment with the initiatives undertaken by the ERC, such as the Proof of Concept initiative (where the feasibility and market potential of a given project can be assessed), which should be continued and should be set as an example of comprehensive support for goal-oriented projects. The Government of the Republic of Poland would also like to submit the concept of expanding competitions for small research groups for consideration. In the opinion of the Government of the Republic of Poland, the strengthening of the European research base and the European Research Area should be based on the establishment of an open, attractive and competitive labour market characterised by integrated organisational and legal systems of Member States. These systems should define the status of researchers, eliminate barriers for researchers commencing their career, use the principle of gender equality, and provide social care, especially for mobile researchers. The Government of the Republic of Poland is of the opinion that the quality of the European research base and the European Research Area might be increased by drafting joint standards for the It is justified to maintain the current promotion of international and intersectoral mobility, Lifelong Learning Programme (LLP) which would be connected with scientific career elements including Comenius, Erasmus, Leonardo da Vinci, Grundtvig and study development and based on the development of the visits. Developing the programme European Charter and Code. The Government would by adding elements dedicated also like to emphasise that grant systems, their to language learning, as well as by evaluation and supporting research quality might set a opening the programme to third good example for Member States and serve as a model countries, including Eastern Partnership states, is preferable. for the implementation of high research financing and research teams support standards at the national level. The Government of the Republic of Poland notes the positive influence of the Marie Curie Actions, which elicited structural changes in particular research units by, e.g. harmonising contracts, enhancing labour and employment conditions and increasing employee remuneration. The Government of the Republic of Poland underlines the need to continue the actions in compliance with the current mobility principle and maintain the division into beginner and experienced researchers. The Government of the Republic of Poland acknowledges the high significance of the bottom-up approach to the selection of the research field and topic, as well as of joint research programmes combined with various trainings, which contribute to improved career development. The Government of the Republic of Poland also supports further development of individual scholarship systems and network doctoral studies which enable active participation of the private sector in conducting training and research, as well as building a common research area. At the same time the Government of the Republic of Poland postulates that the current number of instruments (ten) be reduced; and that the rules and regulations regarding application for funding, their spending and reporting be harmonised, which will prove conducive to easier promotion and more effective implementation. Taking into account the current challenges, the Government of the Republic of Poland underlines that comprehensive activities providing support for young scientific employees, including PhD students, ought to be undertaken at the level of Member States (e.g. by expanding national scholarship financing mechanisms, introducing obligatory stays of young researchers abroad for a specified period of time). These activities could be based on harmonised mechanisms and standards. Moreover, the Government of the Republic of Poland underlines that a new edition of the actions should also prevent brain drain, also within the EU. In order to prevent brain drain, the Government of the Republic of Poland suggests that Page 13 of 15

14 annual reintegration grants to be included in individual actions enabling return to home research units or other institutions selected by researchers. Mobility actions might also contribute to ERA integration and increase the quality of European funds management by way of conducting training and coaching programmes for persons managing or preparing themselves to manage large European projects, especially citizens of countries with few project coordinators. The Government of the Republic of Poland shares the opinion of the EC that ensuring added value from the realisation of activities and initiatives undertaken at EU level requires mainly conducting scientific research at highest global level, i.e. selecting projects and entities carrying out the projects in accordance with the excellence criterion. The excellence criterion plays a very significant role in the evaluation of basic research, however, it should be of lesser importance in the case of implementation and development (projects regarding results commercialisation). The excellence evaluation system requires utmost attention and should ensure obtaining possibly high added value for the EU within project selection. The Government of the Republic of Poland believes that it is also necessary to consider the project s contribution to integration within the European Research Area in the EU (e.g. cooperation between various research centres, especially with countries with different outlays for research and scientific activity), as well as the extent to which it complies with the issues connected with the grand challenges. Two-stage competitions might prove conducive to integration aimed at achieving excellence within the European Research Area. Innovativeness should be assessed first. Secondly, positive assessment of the project should enable creating a research team composed of the best researchers from the entire EU in the area targeted by the proposed solution. The Government of the Republic of Poland is of the opinion that it is necessary to ensure open access to modern scientific infrastructure and enable the development of research and scientific infrastructure in all EU regions. This applies to both highest-ranked research centres and regional scientific infrastructure. In the opinion of the Government of the Republic of Poland, it is important to introduce relevant regulations offering solutions which would not only eliminate differences in research infrastructure development in the EU, but also systematise research infrastructure usage. The Government of the Republic of Poland believes it is necessary to continue developing research infrastructure both indicated by the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) and regional research infrastructure. Development of infrastructure indicated by ESFRI would be covered from Framework Programmes funds, and infrastructure development resulting from regional needs from Structural Funds. The Government of the Republic of Poland considers it necessary to concentrate public expenditure on infrastructural undertakings and consolidate dispersed infrastructure, as well as to give priority to environmental integration projects. Page 14 of 15

15 CONCLUSIONS The Government of the Republic of Poland supports the introduction of a Common Strategic Framework for EU financing of research and innovation. The Government of the Republic of Poland supports the establishment of a sustainable and integrated European Research Area, which should be perceived as a European community which actively responds to global challenges and fully utilises the intellectual capital of all European states and regions. Impact of the full use of intellectual capital and its components on economic growth and competitiveness of the EU In the opinion of the Government of the Republic of Poland, the document put forward by the EC initiates a discussion thanks to which the future Framework Programme for research and innovation may enable more harmonious use of all available resources at the EU level by using and stimulating their further development so as to build up intellectual capital within the EU. Simplified and harmonised future research and innovation Framework Programme The Government of the Republic of Poland claims that such an approach to the formulation of responses to the presented Communication, in which scientific research and innovation will be perceived as an opportunity for development of all EU regions, is reasonable. The Government of the Republic of Poland supports the EC actions for ensuring greater synergy and harmony between different instruments, in particular between cohesion policy funds and scientific research and innovation policy programmes (especially the future Framework Programme), which should arouse the interest of the SME sector. More synergy between the cohesion policy and the Framework Programme The Government of the Republic of Poland supports the EC simplification actions for the principles and procedures of current and future programmes supporting research activities and innovativeness, and points to the need to increase their accessibility for all Member States. The Government of the Republic of Poland holds the view that the future Framework Programme must be governed by common administrative and financial, organisational and information procedures, and the rules of participation in different programmes must be harmonised in order to create a cohesive and transparent system within the European Research Area, where centres from currently underrepresented countries could cooperate actively. Mobility The Government of the Republic of Poland supports further development of student and academic staff mobility, which is considered one of the strategic aims of EU Member States cooperation. The Government of the Republic of Poland acknowledges the significance of educational process internationalisation and the role played in this process by academic staff mobility. At the same time the Government would like to underline that such activities cannot create conditions conducive to brain drain between Member States. Page 15 of 15