Work in Parliament Graca Carvalho's Report on the Simplification of the Implementation of Research Framework Programmes approved by a large majority

The report was adopted in the plenary session of 11 November 2011 with 553 votes in favour, 12 against and 7 abstentions.  The report will redefine the rules for participation of current and future European Programmes for Science and Innovation. 

Since last May, Maria da Graça Carvalho - member of the European Parliament's Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) - has been the Rapporteur responsible for the simplification of the implementation of the Framework Programmes for Research.

The report on the simplification of the Rules of Participation for current and future European Programmes for Science and Innovation, will redefine the rules of participation - not only for the current Framework Programme for Research (€52 billion) -  but also for all other, current and future, programmes concerning Science Innovation.  This will facilitate participation and raise the rate at which they are implemented. As things stand, the rules are excessively complex and this report sets out to offer an improved model for participation in current and future programmes after 2013.

The main objectives of the report are "to promote research and innovation whilst making it easier to apply for and manage EU grants and subsidies". The MEP also believes that this "could have a key role in the Europe 2020 strategy encouraging better prepared and more competent researchers to participate. This enhanced participation is also something that will be further facilitated by simpler, clearer and more transparent rules and processes". Graça Carvalho stated:" This report is particularly timely and is of particular relevance as we weather the current economic crisis.  This is the time to develop policies that will allow for job creation and give the economy new impetus." 

Priorities outlined in the report: 

• A financing system based on scientific excellence, with a simplified process of financial control replacing the current inspection procedures focused on administrative and financial aspects;
• Harmonization of rules and procedures for the various instruments used in Commission programmes, with specific rules for the different research centres and universities, for industry and SMEs;
• Simplification of financial rules with a view to encouraging an approach based on trust and a higher risk tolerance. 

To prepare the report, Maria da Graça Carvalho opened a public consultation process that took into consideration the points of view of the various partners, universities, research centres and companies concerned. The main objective was to discuss the rules of participation in European Programmes for Science and Innovation and to determine what weaknesses could be corrected. To this end, a workshop was held in Porto and Lisbon and another during a hearing in the European Parliament. The MEP's site -  www.gracacarvalho.eu - served as a platform to which proposals and contributions that would subsequently contribute to the drafting of the report could be sent. 

The MEP states that the involvement of citizens has been "enormous, something that shows the considerable importance that science has in Europe".  She adds that "This involvement also demonstrates the need to redefine the existing model.  It is a major motor of economic growth and we must facilitate the continuing and renewed participation of our researchers."

Amongst her other activities, the MEP was invited to present the report to the European Ministers of Science on 27 July 2010.