Science calls for protecting democracy and academic freedom

The Heitor report and the debate on the EU research framework programme also highlight how important reliable scientific institutions and supportive frameworks remain.

The Irish EU Council presidency has also proposed an allocation of 175 billion euros for the next EU financial framework. "Derzeit steht eine Dotation von 175 Mrd. Euro als Vorschlag der irischen EU-Ratspräsidentschaft im Raum."

175 billion euros in the financial framework

The proposal forms the financial framework within which European research activities could be organised. How the funds will be distributed under the next financial framework is not specified in the information provided.

Martin Kahanec and the science organisations active in the European space are named in the contributions included in this debate. Their specific demands and roles, however, are not elaborated on further.

The connection between the two topics lies in the institutional strength of European research. Scientific freedom and democratic decision-making require public engagement, competition, exchange and funding that enable trust in independent verification.

Significance for Europe

The information provided documents a warning and a funding proposal without naming specific measures against individual actors. The public debate on protecting democracy and academic freedom therefore continues.