Research infrastructures for Europe's scientists

The European Commission (EC) recently completed a public consultation process on the Common Strategic Framework for Future European Union Research and Innovation Funding (CSF). It will run from 2014 to 2020 and combines the Framework Programme (FP) for research with the Competitiveness and Innovation Programme and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology. The goal of the EC in restructuring the framework is to position Europe as a global leader in research and to improve its global competitiveness. It is an integral part of its Innovation Union, one of the Commission's seven flagship strategies to improve the economy and create jobs over the next decade. Although criticized on several counts, the FP remains the largest and perhaps the best tool for encouraging research across Europe. Funding, although not trivial, is relatively small; the future CSF fund, which covers all scientific disciplines, will probably be at least €70 …