Florin Zubașcu

Stakeholders are urging the European Commission to improve regulations and funding mechanisms for research infrastructures. It is not enough to fund their construction, operating costs must be covered to ensure long term viability  

Court of Auditors says legal complexity of Horizon 2020 is creating risk. The regulations, rules, guidelines, procedures and processes must be further simplified in the successor Framework Programme 9

East-West debate over research funding intensifies, as papers urge a new look at EU geography and pay rules

A report by the European Parliament’s science and technology options assessment panel calls for the Commission and member states to put more effort into bridging the geographical divide in research and innovation

Universities in central and eastern Europe are optimistic about competing with their counterparts in the west for Horizon 2020 funding, but say catching up is a long-term process. Grants help, but capital investment in new research infrastructure is badly needed

With its future in Budapest remaining uncertain, the embattled university is making back-up plans

Makeover at the top as director general for research and innovation, Robert-Jan Smits is replaced by Jean-Eric Paquet and new recruits are lined up for nine other posts

Almost a year after an amendment to the Hungarian education law undermined its status, faculty say the Budapest-based university is still exposed - but administration sees no drop in applications