Europe’s Research Investment Deficit
Almost 40 years ago the interviewer read a paper on how Europe lacked behind in science and how an economic deficit compared to USA and Japan was building up year after year. In the year 2000, Portuguese Minister Mariano Gago mobilized the EU Council of Ministers to agree on an investment scheme for public research suggesting a minimum of 1% of GDP. This was followed by a recommendation of 2% private investment. Further inputs came with the Sapir Report in 2003 and the establishment of European Research Council (2007).
Now Europe is discussing the next EU budget in the light of the Mario Draghi report (2024). But most European countries are still underspending in their funding for science. In the meantime, China has become a leading powerhouse in science and technology. The interview is with former Head of Communication at the European Science Foundation Jens Degett and former President of the European Research Council Jean Pierre Bourguignon.
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