In most EU member states young researchers find opportunities after the postdoctoral period insufficient, forcing the most motivated and talented individuals to leave – the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) concludes in a report. To stop the brain drain, stability, predictability and perspectives need to be provided at both national and European level to make the researcher career a more attractive and competitive alternative for the young. In his speech, the President of the NRDI Office explained: in their feedback on the Momentum Programme designed by the Hungarian Academy of Sciences during his presidency to help excellent young researchers launch their independent team and realize their promising projects, participants were keen to highlight predictable perspectives as key success factors. At the same time, the President also emphasized that the selection method to find the most promising and most committed talents was a true challenge for decision-makers; as such programmes must be based on nothing but scientific excellence to have a real impact. He pointed out: the institutions also need to change their attitude and embrace new researcher generations, for the discontent of young colleagues is often caused by not only financial aspects but the rigidity of the “scientific elite”.
During this session, the Competitiveness Council adopted a Declaration on the issue, which was composed with the involvement of young researchers. The document is not just a general commitment of the body but it also recommends focus areas and even specific measures to the attention of the European Commission. To provide systemic support to ideas and talents, to promote a lasting and predictable scientific career with real perspectives, to create an open-minded and supportive research environment, including better working and living conditions for the young are all considered of the same importance and urged.
The other highlight of the Bratislava meeting was how to create an innovation-friendly “climate” in Europe, since innovation is widely recognised as a key to sustainable development, job creation and addressing societal challenges. Raised by the previous Dutch EU Presidency that topic is also a high priority of the current Slovakian Presidency, with special focus on the aspects of innovative small and medium-sized enterprises. There is a strong political consensus that these businesses not only boost productivity but also significantly contribute to the creation of new jobs. The European Commission’s single market strategy assigns key priority to the topic of SMEs and startups, and provides direct and indirect incentives to technology-intensive businesses under the Horizon 2020 framework programme.
Participants all agreed that the schemes supporting innovative SMEs within the Horizon 2020 need to be further simplified, while the bottom-up character of the programme must also be strengthened. Decision-makers added: when supporting innovative SMEs, including startups of great growth potential, special attention should be paid to sustainability aspects by ensuring, for instance, that public and private commitment and funds are both represented with appropriate share, mutually complementing each other.
Previous updates on the work of the Competitiveness Council:
http://nkfih.gov.hu/news-and-events/news-of-the-office/competitiveness-council
http://nkfih.gov.hu/international/international-news-and/research-ministers-urge