ERRIN Paper Series: Towards the 10th Framework Programme - Widening

ERRIN Paper Series: Towards the 10th Framework Programme - Widening

ERRIN is pleased to continue the series of input papers on the 10th Framework Programme with the paper on Widening.

ERRIN has been closely focusing on widening and deepening engagement in R&I, making it one of the network priorities. This input paper on Widening in FP10 is based on findings, dedicated exchanges and co-creative bottom-up work on the topic with ERRIN members. However, given the diverse views represented by ERRIN, it is not endorsed by all network members. 

Reaching the full R&I potential of Europe requires unlocking the potential of all its territories. As some of them lag behind, there is a need for actions that would contribute to building research and innovation capacity in these places, empowering their institutions to become project leaders, encouraging systemic reforms, and supporting the use of existing talent, to make sure Europe is moving forward at one speed. Ultimately, through increased overall competitiveness, this will be to the advantage of all European territories. We hope the messages and recommendations outlined in the paper will contribute to realising this objective.

The following key messages have been developed with contributions from ERRIN members and their ecosystems: 

  • Simplify and increase the overall accessibility of the FP.
  • Include widening measures in the Framework Programme, while considering adding a distinct widening component integrated in each of the FP pillars instead of a horizontal sub-programme.
  • Consider introducing tailored positive discrimination criteria in selected calls for proposals across the FP to increase engagement of stakeholders that are usually less involved in the programme.
  • Introduce improved measures to evaluate and monitor the outcomes, value and impact of the widening sub-programme as a whole and its separate instruments to provide evidence if the actions are delivering as well as identify and address any needs for changes.
  • Strengthen the co-design of widening measures by involving R&I community from widening territories, considering the broader context of FP as a whole.
  • Separate the “widening participation” and “strengthening the ERA” pillars into two work programmes with individual programming committees involving all relevant stakeholders.
  • Systematically phase out territories from the widening territories group as they reach a certain threshold defined in relation to the established objective eligibility criteria.
  • Enhance coordination between the widening sub-programme and other policies sharing similar areas of impact, especially cohesion policy.
  • Consider the S3 dimension in widening and increase R&I dimension of cohesion policy beyond its current focus.
  • Facilitate a structured long-term dialogue around the widening and cohesion policy coherence by strategically rethinking and strengthening the ERA Forum RIMA sub-group when it comes to its place and composition.
  • Limit the current portfolio of widening actions subject to calls for proposals to 4-5 instruments.
  • Enhance support for building capacity among potential future widening project leaders.
  • Introduce more research and innovation actions (RIA) and innovation actions (IA) in widening programme to complement the recurrently used coordination and support actions (CSA).

Read the full paper here.