Tag: research investment

The Netherlands and Luxembourg are battling to become the world's biobank research hub, as Europe begins to attract multi-million euro research projects from the US and beyond.

Maintaining the scope and funding of European R&D projects is vital to EU economic recovery, Istvan Varga, Hungary’s minister for national development and economy, told EurActiv in an interview.

Europe is drifting further behind the United States in R&D funding, according to a new study, which shows that the EU may never close the research gap with the US if it fails to boost investment in the services sector.

An EU initiative to create a common research area has helped to make the Union more attractive for foreign scientists, but spending on science and research is still far too low for the bloc to catch up with the US or Japan, according to a new study.

The current global credit crunch could dent invesment in biotech research and seriously delay the discovery of new medicines, a UK scientist warned yesterday at a conference on the future of life sciences. 

Despite the EU's waning performance in research and innovation, charitable and philanthropic foundations can take the lead in this sector, argues Gerard Salole in the summer edition of Europe's World.

As long as there is no integrated market for innovation in the EU and until academic research receives better funding, the EU is doomed to miss its ambitious targets on R&D, argues Brussels-based think tank Bruegel.

eHealth, protective textiles, sustainable construction, recycling, bio-based products and renewable energy: These are the six areas with high growth and innovation potential identified by the Commission for its lead market initiative.

Statistics published by the European Commission last week show that corporate investment in R&D has grown for the second year running in the EU. The global pharmaceuticals sector has overtaken technology hardware and equipment as the top investor in research.

Despite multiple EU initiatives aimed at increasing investment in research, the average R&D intensity stagnates since the mid-1990s, according to new Commission data. Research Commissioner Janez Potočnik has urged member states to put in practice the agreed policy measures to support private-sector investment.

The Commission proposes new 'block exemption' rules, that would extend research and development state aid, currently the priviledge of SMEs, to large enterprises as well.

By the end of 2006, China is set to overtake Japan and become world's number-two R&D investor after the United States.

The EU's Seventh framework programme for research and technological development (2007-2013) is designed as a key contribution to the EU's strategy for growth and jobs.

US companies continue to spend more money on research and development than their European rivals, according to a study from the UK’s Department of Trade and Industry.

Statistics show that investment increased by an average 5.3% over the past year.

Strong involvement of the social partners to help embrace globalisation and targeted investment in R&D are important keys to success, explains Finnish industry boss Leif Fagernäs in an exclusive interview with EurActiv.    

A recent expert report argues that public sector demand for new products and services can boost innovation and increase investment in and take-up of related R&D.

A conference considering the role of private donation in the funding of European research has highlighted the need for transnational, European-scale foundations.

The latest Eurostat figures on the EU's spending on R&D show no sign of improvement compared to last year's statistics. Private sector investment has declined by one percentage point.

A new R&D investment scoreboard shows that relatively few top EU companies are active in sectors where a high proportion of turnover is invested in R&D, such as biotechnology, health and information technology.

Research Commissioner Janez Potočnik told the Council that he will establish a group to provide the Spring Council 2006 with recommendations on research investment priorities.

In a commentary for the Wall Street Journal, Jack Lang, the former French education, research and culture minister and one of the best-known socialist politicians in his country, argues it was not a good idea in the first place to make social Europe the theme of the Hampton Court summit, because this model was not what was in question.

Two new reports highlight the urgent need for increased research spending on renewable energy if the EU is to achieve its green energy targets and maintain its industry leadership.

According to a United Nations report, foreign direct investment (FDI) in research and development is increasingly determined by the availability and cost of talented research manpower.