Cutting the European Union¡¯s Horizon 2020 budget ¡°downgrades the importance¡± of research funding and ¡°sends out the wrong signals¡± to policymakers, according to the European University Association.

In a letter to Jean-Claude Juncker, the president of the European Commission, the EUA says that proposed changes to divert some funding ¡°aggravate an already difficult situation¡± as some countries have reduced research investment because of the economic crisis.

Mr Juncker plans to create a €315 billion (?233 billion) European Fund for Strategic Investment to boost public and private investment in Europe¡¯s economy over the next three years. Proposals suggest that some finance for the fund will come from the budget of Horizon 2020, Europe¡¯s flagship research and innovation programme.

The letter, from Maria Nazar¨¦, the EUA¡¯s president, and Lesley Wilson, secretary general, says: ¡°The issue is of major significance to Europe¡¯s universities as the implied reduction of funding will affect support for European research collaboration that has proved its enormous added value for Europe.¡±

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It adds that the ¡°excellent science¡± and ¡°societal challenges¡± pillars of Horizon 2020 would be affected by the cuts.

¡°Cutting down on funds previously agreed on by the legislators for research and innovation activities downgrades the importance of research funding at a European level,¡± it says. Professor Nazar¨¦ and Dr Wilson add: ¡°The proposal, as it stands, follows an unacceptable trend of cuts to research and sends the wrong signal to national and regional policymakers¡­This is a worrying U-turn in the commission¡¯s approach.¡±

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The letter, published on 12 January, calls on Mr Juncker to include scientific oversight when selecting projects to be funded under the EFSI. They say that this is ¡°vital¡± for EFSI to achieve its aims and stop it from ¡°weakening¡± European research capabilities.

holly.else@tesglobal.com