Call for more Framework social sciences research funding

Eleven universities, including Ghent University, La Sapienza in Rome and the Freie Universität Berlin, are urging the European Commission to set a target under its next research framework programme of spending at least 10% of the budget on social sciences and humanities, reports Science/Business.

The statement argues that the social sciences and humanities comprise about a third of Europe’s academic world and knowledge – and can make a vital contribution to Europe’s progress. Yet, the group notes, under the current programme social sciences and humanities researchers have very low grant success rates and have difficulty in connecting with physical science researchers and engineers.

Among the actions the universities recommend for the Ninth Framework Programme, the next research initiative to start in 2021, is the creation of a separate platform for the social sciences and humanities, similar to the European Technology Platforms under Horizon 2020. This platform would help consolidate collaborations with STEM – science, technology, engineering and mathematics – disciplines and structure the way social sciences and humanities provide input to scoping papers, work programmes, societal challenges and missions.
Full report on the Science/Business site