Negotiations in Brussels stall over bid to invoke industrial policy to fund commercialisation activities in next EU research programme. Ministers could also not agree on some spending priorities 
 

Heinz Fassmann discusses obstacles to a deal on the EU’s next research programme, Horizon Europe

Carlos Moedas says quotas should be set ‘at some point’ for more women to advance into the top ranks of universities and labs

Christian Ehler reiterates call for more money, highlights the threat from China and casts doubt over the proposed €10B investment in food and agriculture science

A closer look reveals the increase is relatively modest and does not convincingly reflect the claimed ambitions

Horizon Europe shadow rapporteur Lieve Wierinck says the new European Innovation Council ‘covers same areas’ as European Institute of Innovation and Technology and predicts the two bodies will merge

The architect of ‘Plan-S’, Robert-Jan Smits, hopes to force a major change in the business model of academic publishers. The effect will be similar to the abolition of mobile phone roaming charges in Europe, he says

European budget chief estimates there’s now a 50-50 chance of agreeing a budget before the May 2019 parliamentary election. Without certainty of future funding, researchers will go elsewhere, he claims

German MEP Christian Ehler wants more control over the new European Innovation Council and to boost the budget for research related to creative industries

Call for more rigorous detail in the proposal looks likely to frustrate the Commission’s push for accelerated approval of the €94B research programme