Editor's Summary
24 April 2008
Rising to the challenge
The successful European research projects have generally been the big ones, uniting the public and private sectors, like CERN, Airbus and the French nuclear industry. Luke Georghiou argues that this lesson from the recent past should inform current discussions on the future of European Union science funding. Small Framework-type programmes should make way, says Georghiou for a unified approach to the grand challenges of the day — such as the technologies needed in a low-carbon economy.
Commentary: Europe's research system must change
Science funding in the European Union needs to be revised to better serve economic, social and environmental goals, Luke Georghiou argues.
doi:10.1038/452935a