Slovak potential and the lack of an integrated system
20. 6. 2016 | 1639 visits
The Slovak Republic has the potential to increase significantly chances of participating in European Research Council (ERC) grants. However, at the moment it is among the least successful countries in Europe in terms of receiving them. The reasons for this and possibilities for improving the situation were the main topics of ERC Day in Slovakia, which was organized by the Comenius University in Bratislava, the Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAS) and the Slovak Liaison Office for Research and Development (SLORD) on Monday, 20 June.
The visit to Slovakia by Prof. Jean-Pierre Bourguignon, the President of the ERC, was a great opportunity to open up problematic issues, analyze their causes and, especially, inspire young and talented scientists to come up with projects with a chance to apply for ERC grant. Prof. Bourguignon presented not only the structure, strategy, financing and outline of ERC grants, he also noted that in Slovakia there is a good foundation of experts who cooperate with top world-class teams. "I would like to take advantage of this visit to monitor the situation in Slovakia and maybe also make clear some obscurities which militate against applications for grants," the professor stated, and he remarked that there is a correlation between the amount of financial means the country allocates for the support of science and the success of countries in relation to obtaining ERC support. "However, it is not always the case that the more a state supports science, the more successful its scientists are with regard to ERC grants."
Prof. Tomáš Jungwirth, a member of the ERC Scientific Council, analyzed areas in which countries such as Slovakia and the Czech Republic are deficient and also presented steps to be implemented for the improvement of this situation. Such steps include attracting the most talented scientists back from abroad, creating good-quality conditions for them in the long term and supporting their ambitions systematically.
"Our candidates have qualities. However, we lack an integrated system which could help open up possibilities in the pan-European space," said Prof. Pavol Šajgalík, the President of the SAS, on this occasion. "In comparison with the Visegrad Four, too, we have fallen behind. In 2007 we did not catch the trend towards new opportunities and in this regard we have to strive to catch up with neighbouring countries." He pointed out that the UEFA Champions League cannot be played with a team lacking the conditions for training, and the SAS and universities did not devote time in the past to creating a system for an effective search for talented scientists and their support in connection with ERC projects. "At present, at the SAS we deal with scientists who have been appraised successfully, an evaluation of particular workplaces by an international panel of experts is ongoing, and this should help indentify prospective teams and people with the potential to get ERC grants," he added. "We will focus with greater concentration on their support and, together with universities as well as the understanding of the political spectrum, we can push forward science and research in Slovakia."
The European Research Council was set up by the European Commission with the aim of encouraging research at the frontiers of current knowledge. It began its activities in February 2007 within the framework of the "Ideas" Programme, part of the EUʼs Seventh Framework Programme (FP7). The ERC is now part of the Excellent Science pillar of the Horizon 2020 Programme. The ERC's main aim is to stimulate the development of the highest-level scientific excellence in Europe by supporting and motivating the very best and most creative scientists, students and researchers. In the opinion of Prof. Bourguignon, Slovakia is not dependent on developing its scientific potential only in some areas. "It is certainly necessary to develop areas which have a tradition and strong foundations. However, at the same time, it is necessary to be open to new prospects," he said.
The visit to Slovakia by Prof. Jean-Pierre Bourguignon, the President of the ERC, was a great opportunity to open up problematic issues, analyze their causes and, especially, inspire young and talented scientists to come up with projects with a chance to apply for ERC grant. Prof. Bourguignon presented not only the structure, strategy, financing and outline of ERC grants, he also noted that in Slovakia there is a good foundation of experts who cooperate with top world-class teams. "I would like to take advantage of this visit to monitor the situation in Slovakia and maybe also make clear some obscurities which militate against applications for grants," the professor stated, and he remarked that there is a correlation between the amount of financial means the country allocates for the support of science and the success of countries in relation to obtaining ERC support. "However, it is not always the case that the more a state supports science, the more successful its scientists are with regard to ERC grants."
Prof. Tomáš Jungwirth, a member of the ERC Scientific Council, analyzed areas in which countries such as Slovakia and the Czech Republic are deficient and also presented steps to be implemented for the improvement of this situation. Such steps include attracting the most talented scientists back from abroad, creating good-quality conditions for them in the long term and supporting their ambitions systematically.
"Our candidates have qualities. However, we lack an integrated system which could help open up possibilities in the pan-European space," said Prof. Pavol Šajgalík, the President of the SAS, on this occasion. "In comparison with the Visegrad Four, too, we have fallen behind. In 2007 we did not catch the trend towards new opportunities and in this regard we have to strive to catch up with neighbouring countries." He pointed out that the UEFA Champions League cannot be played with a team lacking the conditions for training, and the SAS and universities did not devote time in the past to creating a system for an effective search for talented scientists and their support in connection with ERC projects. "At present, at the SAS we deal with scientists who have been appraised successfully, an evaluation of particular workplaces by an international panel of experts is ongoing, and this should help indentify prospective teams and people with the potential to get ERC grants," he added. "We will focus with greater concentration on their support and, together with universities as well as the understanding of the political spectrum, we can push forward science and research in Slovakia."
The European Research Council was set up by the European Commission with the aim of encouraging research at the frontiers of current knowledge. It began its activities in February 2007 within the framework of the "Ideas" Programme, part of the EUʼs Seventh Framework Programme (FP7). The ERC is now part of the Excellent Science pillar of the Horizon 2020 Programme. The ERC's main aim is to stimulate the development of the highest-level scientific excellence in Europe by supporting and motivating the very best and most creative scientists, students and researchers. In the opinion of Prof. Bourguignon, Slovakia is not dependent on developing its scientific potential only in some areas. "It is certainly necessary to develop areas which have a tradition and strong foundations. However, at the same time, it is necessary to be open to new prospects," he said.