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EU policy towards science and technology

The European Commission's Directorate General for Research explains more about the EU's approach to Human Resources for Science and Technology in Europe.

No Europe of knowledge...

In March 2000, the Lisbon declaration was approved: Europe should become the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world, capable of sustainable economic growth with more and better jobs and greater social cohesion.

... without adequate Human Resources

Scientific and technological development was since then at the core of EU objectives. In 2002, the EU Barcelona Summit called for an increase in the proportion of European GDP invested in research from 1.9 % to 3 %. In terms of human resources, an extra 0.5 million researchers (or 1.2 million research related personnel) are needed to meet that goal between now and 2010.

A working group analysed the current European situation

As part of the European Commission's broad strategy to address the Lisbon and Barcelona goals, an independent High Level Group on Increasing Human Resources for Science and Technology in Europe, chaired by Prof. José Mariano Gago, analysed the current European situation and undertook an extensive consultation process with many relevant stakeholders in Europe as well as with the EC and with national governments.
The findings of the HLG show that the Lisbon and Barcelona targets will not be attainable without deliberate and sustained positive action.

Read more on the European Commission's 'Increasing human resources for science and technology in Europe' website.