Luxembourg National Research Fund

On Wednesday 24 November 2021, the Minister for Higher Education and Research, Claude Meisch, opened a European seminar in Luxembourg-Kirchberg, attended by the heads of national research funds, representatives of national research ministries and the European Commission gathered to discuss topics such as research culture.

The 2021 edition of the High Level Workshop on the European Research Area (ERA) addresses the key aspects of the research culture in the ERA and its influence on the way research is conceived, conducted, communicated and evaluated. The aim is to better understand the views of the different research and innovation actors in ERA and to further advance the focus on the core aspects of research culture. In this way, measures can be identified that can make the European Research Area more attractive for researchers and cutting-edge research.

The High Level Workshop, co-organised this year in Luxembourg by the Ministry of Higher Education and Research and the Fonds National de la Recherche, provides a platform for Science Europe member organisations, national ministries and EU institutions to discuss progress, specific aspects and future development of the ERA.

Claude Meisch, Minister for Higher Education and Research, is pleased to host this conference in Luxembourg: “I welcome this opportunity to exchange views on the fundamental aspects of research culture, the values that underpin it and the different national approaches to a modern research culture in the European Research Area. It is vital that the sector remains attractive to current and future talent so that it can provide the scientific excellence needed to meet global challenges. This joint reflection on how our research policies and practices could evolve to achieve an attractive, inclusive, sustainable and efficient ERA is therefore crucial.”

Marc Schiltz, Secretary General of the FNR and President of Science Europe for the past four years, explains the importance of the issue raised at this conference: “Research culture – the values and norms that make up the system – influences all levels and aspects of research, shaping the careers of individuals, the results achieved and the attractiveness of the sector. As funders and institutions working in the sector, we have a responsibility to reflect on the current culture and plan its evolution towards a thriving, sustainable and open science-oriented European research ecosystem. With this workshop, together we are creating a shared understanding and long-term vision for the research culture of the European Research Area.”

The High Level Workshop, organised in a hybrid format, brought together representatives of Science Europe’s 38 member organisations from 28 European countries, eight ministers or representatives of ministries, and the European Commission’s Director-General for Research and Innovation, Jean-Eric Paquet, on Thursday 24 November.

About Science Europe

Science Europe is the association representing the major public organisations that fund or conduct excellent scientific research in Europe. It brings together the expertise of some of the world’s largest and best-known research organisations to work together to push the boundaries of scientific research production and its benefits to society. It represents the interests of science and the scientific community to help build the European Research Area and shape the global science agenda.

Our 38 members from 28 European countries include national research funding agencies and leading research organisations. They are among the most important players in public research funding in Europe. Together they invest over 23.9 BEUR in research every year.

www.scienceeurope.org