Viewpoint

With a month to go before EU heads of state will try to fix the budget for Horizon 2020, MEPs, the EU’s Chief Scientist, astronauts and a Star Trek actor highlight the importance of inspiring a new generation of European scientists

Advertising its ‘wants’ online has unlocked a fresh seam of ideas and is motivating in-house researchers at Unilever, says Roger Leech, the company’s Open Innovation Scouting Director

Concerns about job security and a relentless lifestyle are holding back would-be biotech entrepreneurs. Academics need to be shown the fun and energy of being in the start-up world says Kevin Johnson of Index Ventures

At the mid-point of her mandate, Research and Innovation Commissioner Máire Geoghegan-Quinn says a lot has been done, but there is more to do, and some tough battles to win

The evidence is that research into poverty-related and neglected diseases will both benefit developing countries and improve Europe’s economy. Amongst many competing demands it is crucial that R&D funding for global health is maintained in Horizon 2020 says Karen Hoehn

Taking a practical approach to affordable, secure and sustainable energy production can help boost economic development while cutting CO2 emissions, says Andrew Haslett

The London 2012 tingle is receding, but the legacy should be about more than finding a new use for the Olympic Stadium. By Nuala Moran.

The public should be given the opportunity to take a direct role in supporting innovative start-ups, says Steven Bates, chief executive of the UK BioIndustry Association

Top EU businesses expect their investments in research and development to grow by an average of 4 percent annually over the period 2012 to 2014

New evidence from Italy shows that - contrary to the accepted view - academics who become entrepreneurs don’t publish less. This is an important message for universities which fear encouraging start-ups will harm their research, says Michael Kenward