Supporting scientific research in the EU

How should scientific research in the EU be funded? What are the priorities for the next few years? How can research policy help make Europe more competitive? Members of Parliament's Committee on Industry, Research and Energy suggested some answers to these questions in an own-initiative report by Pia Elda Locatelli (PES, IT) which they adopted by a large majority (41 votes to 3) on 21 February 2005. This vote comes a few weeks before the European Commission unveils its draft 7th Framework Programme for research and technological development (FP7). The Commission will be making proposals on funding levels as well as the main research areas to be supported.