The European Science Foundation (ESF) is the European association of 78 national research organisations in 30 countries, devoted to scientific

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1 The European Science Foundation (ESF) is the European association of 78 national research organisations in 30 countries, devoted to scientific research.

2 ESF Member Organisations 78 in 30 countries Research funding organisations Research performing organisations Academies

3 With offices in Strasbourg and Brussels, the ESF covers all scientific domains: physical and engineering sciences life, earth and environmental sciences medical sciences humanities social sciences

4 ESF a growing organisation Staff (fte): 128 Budget: 41M Offices in Strasbourg and Brussels (COST)

5 ESF mission statement The ESF provides a common platform for its Member Organisations in order to: advance European research explore new directions for research at the European level Through its activities, the ESF serves the needs of the European research community in a global context

6 The ESF Pillars ESF Science Strategy ESF Science Synergy ESF Programme Management

7 ESF Science Strategy High-level and high-quality foresight and advice on science Covering research infrastructures and science policy issues of European significance Instruments include: ESF Forward Looks ESF Exploratory Workshops

8 ESF 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

9 ESF Exploratory Workshops Normally one-off specialist meetings Spearheading, often interdisciplinary topics (also: reference to research infrastructures) May lead to ESF programmes, EUROCORES, FP 6/7 proposals; position statements scientists involved 2005 examples: The First Big Science - European Geological Maps, (Corsi); Sciences in Asia: Representations and Historiography, 17-20th C. (Cullen); Scientific periodicals in modern Europe (Peiffer; Vittu) Open Call for proposals: deadline 2 May

10 ESF Science Synergy Stimulates cooperation between researchers and between Member Organisations, in order to explore new directions in research throughout Europe Instruments: ESF Research Networking Programmes EUROCORES ESF Research Conferences

11 ESF Research Networking Programmes Networking of (existing) major scientific endeavours usually over a five-year period Supported by ESF Member Organisations through à la carte funding Funding typically covers workshops, inter-laboratory exchanges, fellowship programmes and dissemination Core Steering Group of 8-12 scientists May link up to other initiatives, and lead to major ESF initiaives (EUROCORES) and FP initiatives 90k - 250k per annum Open Call for proposals: likely deadline Nov.

12 EUROCORES Programmes (European Collaborative Research) To generate research funding (target: 10 Mio.; in the Humanities typically 5-7 Mio.) To provide European critical mass in specific topics (bottom-up programme development; strategic choice by funding agencies) To develop multilateral collaboration in research projects and funding mechanism Funding remains national but common Call for CRPs, common peer review, managed by ESF Call for EUROCORES Theme Proposals: 1 June 2006 Call for Outline Proposals for projects Inventing Europe: Technology and the Making of Europe, 1850 to the Present : 31 May 2006

13 ESF Research Conferences High profile framework for scientific discussion on frontline topics Bring together younger and established leaders Partnerships with others in Europe ESF World Conferences: Japan, US, China, International Partners participants Limited number of attractive venues Pre-selected topics

14 ESF Science Management Implementing activities at a European level, with ESF operating on behalf of third parties (European Commission, European Research Councils) Instruments: EURYI Awards COST

15 European Young Investigator Award EURYI EUROHORCs and ESF initiative To attract to Europe outstanding young researchers from all over the world brain gain Opportunity to create independently their own lab Awards up to 250k /yr for 5 years In all disciplines including Humanities (! Humanities undersubscribed!) First awards Aim of 5 Calls Third Call for 2006 awards (deadline past)

16 European COoperation in the field of Scientific and Technical research Format: since 1971, based on intergovernmental agreements (ministerial conference) Currently (2006): 34 COST Member States + 1 cooperating state (Israel) COST Actions are concerted networking opportunities for nationally funded R&D projects Open Call for proposals: deadline 31 May 2006 Relevant areas for archives sciences: Content: Individuals, Society, Culture & Health Preservation technologies: Materials, Physical & Nanosciences (technologies) Chemistry and Molecular Sciences & Technologies

17 European COoperation in the field of Scientific and Technical research Biomedicine and Molecular Biosciences Food and Agriculture Forests, their Products and Services Materials, Physical & Nanosciences Chemistry and Molecular Sciences & Technologies Earth System Science & Environmental Management Information & Communication Technologies Transport & Urban Development Individuals, Society, Culture & Health

18 Standing Committee for the Humanities 1. Forward Looks: 2 running: Higher Education research, Food Systems research 1 in development: Security A Framework for Enquiry 2. Exploratory Workshops: annual ESF Call in March covering all scientific areas (incl. special reference to research infrastructures): 16 workshops funded by SCH in Research Networking Programmes: Currently 4 running : NHIST (history ), NPHS (history of science), EARTH, ARCANE (archaeology) 4. EUROCORES: currently 5 running: OMLL The Origin of Man, Language and Languages (linguistics), CNCC Consciousness in a Natural and Cultural Context (cognitive sciences), BOREAS Humanities and social science based circumpolar studies (anthropology, archaeology, history, history of science), Inventing Europe (economic and world history; history of technology), TECT - «The Evolution of Cooperation and Trading» (anthropology; economics; life sciences)

19 SCH: Research Infrastructures ESF supports the integration of Research Infrastructures for the Humanities (incl. history of science) at various levels, actively or through the dissemination of information: ESFRI: European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures HERA: Humanities in the European Research Area EC, EuroHORCS (European Heads of Research Councils), ESF: Survey of European Research Infrastructures: uction.htm

20 SCH Standing Committee for the Humanities (SCH) European Science Foundation 1 quai Lezay-Marnésia BP Strasbourg cedex France humanities@esf.org Speaker: Dr Rüdiger Klein Dep Head Humanities - Senior Science Officer Research and Foresight rklein@esf.org