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European Science Foundation

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European Science Foundation
AbbreviationESF
Formation1974
TypeNGO
HeadquartersStrasbourg, France
President
Véronique Halloin[1]
Chief executive
Nicolas Walter[1]
Websitewww.esf.org
ESF headquarters in Strasbourg.

The European Science Foundation (ESF) is an association of 11 member organizations devoted to scientific research in 8 European countries.[citation needed] ESF is an independent, non-governmental, non-profit organization that promotes science in Europe. It was established in 1974 and its offices are located in Strasbourg, France (headquarters).

ESF Member Organizations are research-performing and research-funding organizations, academies and learned societies across Europe.

After four decades of stimulating European research through its networking, ESF undertook a re-alignment and re-calibration of its strategic vision and focus. The launch of its Expert division "Science Connect" beginning of 2017 marks the next phase of its evolution and has been born out of an understanding of the science landscape, funding context and the needs of the research community.

Past activities

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Up to 2015 ESF provided a platform for research scoping, planning and networking on a European and global scale for ESF member organizations. ESF activities were organized around three operational bases: strategy, synergy and management. In line with its then mission and strategic plan, the European Science Foundation ran programmes in science; programmes to enhance science synergy such as research networking programmes and collaborative research projects for European scientists; along with activities dedicated to science management, such as providing administrative services to independent scientific committees and other organizations.

ESF-EUROHORCs – Funding gap

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In June 2008, ESF in collaboration with EUROHORCs (European Heads of Research Councils) published a policy briefing 'The EUROHORCs and ESF Vision on a Globally Competitive ERA and their Road Map for Actions to Help Build it',[2] detailing essential requirements to build a globally competitive European Research Area within the next five to ten years. At the time, EUROHORCs used the European Science Foundation as an implementation agency. In 2014, this instrument disappeared from the European landscape and has not been replaced by any other funding mechanism.

Change of focus

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ESF has recently changed its scope of work.[3] ESF has closed its traditional research support activities (European Collaborative Research Projects, Exploratory Workshops, Research Networking Programmes, etc.) and is focused now on supporting the scientific community through scientific-support services delivered by its Expert division (Science Connect).[4]

Structure

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ESF is structured as follows:

  • Governing bodies
  • Science Connect Division
  • Community of Experts
  • Expert boards

Governing bodies

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The annual assembly is the highest level decision making body of the ESF. It elects the ESF president, the Executive Board, ratifies the budget and accounts and admits new members. The assembly delegates are appointed by ESF member organizations.

The Executive Board sets and direct the overall strategy of the ESF and coordinates the relations with EU and other institutions. The Executive Board consists of the ESF president and 3 to 8 member organizations. The Executive Board meets twice a year.

The President officially represents the ESF to the public and in relations with other national or international organizations.

The Chief Executive is responsible for the implementation of the strategy and policy set by the Executive Board, for administration of the ESF office and its finance and for ensuring the execution of the decision of the assembly and the Governing Council.

Science Connect Division

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Science Connect is ESF's Expert services division dedicated to support scientific decision-making through a range of science-support services, such as Grant Evaluation, Career Tracking, coordination of EU-funded Projects and the hosting of scientific platforms and Expert Boards.

Community of Experts

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According to the ESF website, the Community of Experts is a network of international recognized experts that covers the full spectrum of the scientific landscape (Humanities, Economics and Social Sciences, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Engineering Sciences, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Life and Biomedical Sciences).[5] Its role is to sustain scientific collaboration and support excellence in research grant peer-review and proposal evaluation across all scientific disciplines.

ESF's Community of Experts comprises two colleges:

  • The College of Review Panel Members. Review Panel Members have a broad expertise in several scientific disciplines and their mission is to build consensus during the evaluation of research proposals.
  • The College of Expert Reviewers. Expert Reviewers are scientists specialized in a specific scientific domain and are in charge of assessing and evaluating several types of proposals such as fellowship applications and research projects.

Expert boards

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Since 1974 ESF has set up and hosted expert boards and committees in several scientific domains. These include space sciences; radio-astronomy frequencies; nuclear physics; marine and polar sciences; and materials science. At present ESF hosts the following Expert Boards:

European Space Sciences Committee (ESSC)

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Established in 1974, the ESSC provides unbiased, expert advice to the space scientific community including the European Space Agency, the European Commission, EU national space agencies. Over the years, the ESSC has become the reference body in Europe for independent scientific advice on space matters and a key partner for international research collaboration.

Nuclear Physics European Collaboration Committee (NuPECC)

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NuPECC's aim is to strengthen European collaboration in nuclear physics through the definition of a network of complementary facilities within Europe. NuPECC issues recommendations on the development, organization and support of European nuclear physics and particular projects.

Committee on Radio Astronomy Frequencies (CRAF)

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Established in 1988, CRAF represents all the major radio astronomical observatories in Europe. CRAF initiates and encourages scientific studies aimed at reducing radio astronomy interference at source and the effects of interference. Throughout the years CRAF has become an active voice in Europe and engages with other groups of radio astronomers in discussions with international organizations that decide on the use of radio spectrum.

Member organizations

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European Science Foundation Map

Belgium

Bulgaria

France

  • Institut Français de Recherche pour l'Exploitation de la Mer (IFREMER)(French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea)
  • EuroScience (EuroScience)
  • Core Technologies for Life Sciences (CTLS)

Hungary

Luxembourg

  • Fonds National de la Recherche (FNR)

Romania

  • Consiliul Național al Cercetării Științifice (National Council for Scientific Research -CNCS)

Serbia

Turkey

Presidents

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  • 1974–1979 Brian Flowers
  • 1980–1984 Hubert Curien
  • 1985–1990 Eugen Seibold
  • 1991–1993 Umberto Colombo
  • 1994–1999 Sir Dai Rees
  • 2000–2005 Reinders van Duinen
  • 2006–2011 Ian Halliday
  • 2012–2015 Pär Omling
  • 2016 – April 2020: Martin Hynes[6]
  • April 2020 to date: Véronique Halloin

Secretaries General and Chief Executives

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  • 1974–1979 Friedrich Schneider
  • 1980–1986 John Goormaghtigh
  • 1986–1993 Michael Posner
  • 1991–1993 Umberto Colombo
  • 1993–1998 Peter Fricker
  • 1998–2003 Enric Banda
  • 2004–2007 Bertil Anderson
  • 2007 John Marks
  • 2008–2011 Marja Makarow[7][8]
  • 2012–2015 Martin Hynes[6]
  • 2016 – June 2019: Jean-Claude Worms [9]
  • July 2019 to date: Nicolas Walter

Notes and references

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  1. ^ a b "Our Team - ESF - Science Connect". ESF - Science Connect. European Science Foundation. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  2. ^ EUROHORCs, ESF commit to play key role in shaping a competitive ERA Archived 22 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine ESF press release, 25. June 2008
  3. ^ "European Science Foundation - ESF - Science Connect". www.esf.org. Archived from the original on 21 December 2016.
  4. ^ Science Connect
  5. ^ Archived 3 July 2017 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ a b "The European Science Foundation elects Pär Omling as new President at its Assembly, Martin Hynes appointed as new Chief Executive". ESF. 24 November 2011. Retrieved 24 November 2011.
  7. ^ "Professor Marja Makarow becomes new CEO for the European Science Foundation". ESF. 3 January 2008. Archived from the original on 9 May 2008. Retrieved 29 April 2008.
  8. ^ Marja Makarow, chief executive, European Science Foundation, Strasbourg, France, Nature 452, 1030 (23 April 2008)
  9. ^ http://www.esf.org/newsroom/news-and-press-releases/article/european-science-foundation-announces-appointment-of-new-chief-executive-dr-jean-claude-worms/ [dead link]
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