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European Science Foundation

abbreviation: ESF
type: non-profit organisation
location: Strasbourg, The European Union
WWW: www.esf.org

description

Established in 1974, the European Science Foundation (ESF) is an international non-governmental non-profit association of 78 member research organisations (i.e. BBSRC in the UK, CNRS in France, MPG in Germany) from 30 European countries. ESF’s core purpose is to promote high quality science at a European level. The Foundation is committed to facilitate co-operation and collaboration in European research and ensuring that there is a European added value to all of its activities. The ESF describes itself by a series of characteristics: pan-European cooperation, multidisciplinary across the whole science, humanities and social sciences spectrum, flexibility due to its small size making it very responsive to change, independent although backed by the authority of its members, rigorous with a transparent structure promoting quality and an open organisation having a wide range of networking activities.

Structures

The ESF is governed by a council and an executive board headed by its president (since 2004, Dr. Reinder van Duinen). The ESF operates through a series of scientific Standing Committees (Physical and Engineering Sciences; Life and Environmental Sciences; Medical Sciences; Social Sciences and Humanities) and its Associated Committees (Committee on Radio Astronomy Frequencies (CRAF), Nuclear Physics European Collaboration Committee (NuPECC), European Space Science Committee (ESSC)) and boards such as the ESF Marine Board and the European Polar Board.

Budget

Each member organisation contributes to the ESF general budget through an amount calculated pro-rata on the basis of net national income. The budget for 2005 was €8.9 million. In addition, member organisations contribute specifically to the scientific programmes in which they are participating (Exploratory Workshops and Networks are funded from the ESF, Programmes and EUROCORES are funded by participating member organisations “à la carte”, EURESCO are co-sponsored by the ESF and European Commission).

Activities

The scientific activities employ six main instruments:

1. Exploratory workshops
2. Networks: bring together scientists to explore the potential of developing and carrying out research at a European level.
3. EURESCO: European Research Conferences, high level discussions also open to young researchers.
4. Scientific Programmes: research projects carried out by multinational teams for three to five years and are funded on an “à la carte” basis by the Foundation’s Member Organisations. Proposals can be investigator driven or from Member Organisations and reflect ‘top-down’ national priorities.
5. EUROCORES: European Cooperative Research Projects offer funding in ESF member organisations for coordination and research itself (in particular basic and researcher led cooperation).
6. Forward Looks: an instrument which enables Europe’s scientific community, in interaction with policy makers from ESF Member organisations and other organisations, to develop medium to long-term views, analysis of future research developments and defining research agendas and priorities.

Other activities

• The ESF also conduct science policy studies on a European level through consultation, workshops and the production of specific issues-based reports.
• EURYI: the European Young Investigator Awards provided in 2005 €750,000 to €1,250,000 over 5 years to 25 young researchers to pursue an independent career. This competitive grant especially encourages foreign researchers to come to Europe and European researchers to return.
• Research Infrastructures: exploratory and advisory action on research infrastructure.
• The COST Office is now operated by the ESF.