Nineteen Nobel Laureates and five European Academy Presidents call for a dedicated Commissioner for Research and Innovation.
On September 2, Initiative of the Initiative for Science in Europe (ISE) took action: 19 Nobel Laureates signed a letter to President Ursula von der Leyen urging her “to make research and innovation a prominent and standalone portfolio for the next College of Commissioners”, underlining the fact that it would be consistent with her ambitions set forth in her Political Guideline 2024-2029 to “put research and innovation, science and technology, at the centre of our economy”. The letter was also endorsed by Paweł Rowiński (President of Allea – All European Academies), Rodrigo Ferrão de Paiva Martins (President of the European Academy of Sciences), Wim van Saarloos (President of the European Academies Science Advisory Council), Marja Makarow (President of Academia Europea), Scott Bremer (Chair of the Young Academy Europe), as well as Kurt Deketelaere (Secretary General of the League of European Research Universities).
The letter asks her to create a “well-funded portfolio dedicated to research and innovation, and to nominate a strong supporter of research as the next Commissioner for research and innovation, a person who has the leadership quality to implement the ambitious strategy that you outlined at the EU level”.
Access the letter signed by the Nobel Laureate
Download the Presse Release here.
Initiative for Science in Europe (ISE) is an independent platform bringing together learned societies and European scientific research organisations, operating throughout all disciplines and across all sectors, which played a decisive role in the crea6on of the European Research Council (ERC).
ISE has since then successfully advocated for a greater role for science in Europe, and effectively supports common causes essential for European scientific research communities, shaping European science policies and simulating the involvement of European researchers in the design and implementa6on of European Research Area.
You can find more about ISE here.
Contact: Monica Dietl, Research Director, Executive Coordinator