[{"command":"openDialog","selector":"#drupal-modal","settings":null,"data":"\u003Cdiv id=\u0022republish_modal_form\u0022\u003E\u003Cform class=\u0022modal-form-example-modal-form ecl-form\u0022 data-drupal-selector=\u0022modal-form-example-modal-form\u0022 action=\u0022\/en\/article\/modal\/7318\u0022 method=\u0022post\u0022 id=\u0022modal-form-example-modal-form\u0022 accept-charset=\u0022UTF-8\u0022\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHorizon articles can be republished for free under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) licence.\u003C\/p\u003E\n \u003Cp\u003EYou must give appropriate credit. We ask you to do this by:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n 1) Using the original journalist\u0027s byline\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n 2) Linking back to our original story\u003Cbr \/\u003E\n 3) Using the following text in the footer: This article was originally published in \u003Ca href=\u0027#\u0027\u003EHorizon, the EU Research and Innovation magazine\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n \u003Cp\u003ESee our full republication guidelines \u003Ca href=\u0027\/horizon-magazine\/republish-our-stories\u0027\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\n \u003Cp\u003EHTML for this article, including the attribution and page view counter, is below:\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\u0022js-form-item form-item js-form-type-textarea form-item-body-content js-form-item-body-content ecl-form-group ecl-form-group--text-area form-no-label ecl-u-mv-m\u0022\u003E\n \n\u003Cdiv\u003E\n \u003Ctextarea data-drupal-selector=\u0022edit-body-content\u0022 aria-describedby=\u0022edit-body-content--description\u0022 id=\u0022edit-body-content\u0022 name=\u0022body_content\u0022 rows=\u00225\u0022 cols=\u002260\u0022 class=\u0022form-textarea ecl-text-area\u0022\u003E\u003Ch2\u003EIn the hotseat: 5 questions for Commissioner Gabriel\u003C\/h2\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E1. When you started this role in December, I bet you didn\u2019t think your first year as research commissioner would unfold like this. What have you learned?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThis has been indeed an extraordinary year by anyone\u2019s standards. For me, it was particularly interesting to see research and innovation receive an increase in public attention. We have all clearly seen the crucial role it plays in our lives \u2013 be it in protecting people\u2019s lives from coronavirus or in Europe\u2019s green and digital transitions.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI was proud to see the determination of scientists and innovators in Europe to find solutions, and how they came together, proving the importance of working together to tackle the biggest problems. I was also heartened by how flexible we can be in adapting quickly to new realities. As early as January, we mobilised Horizon 2020 (the EU\u2019s current research funding programme) into urgently needed coronavirus research and innovation. All this gives us hope, as we continue to combat the virus and work hard to make Europe more resilient and sustainable.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EResearchers are the main drivers of knowledge, attuned to the most pressing concerns of our contemporary societies. A well-performing education and research landscape will become even more necessary in order to face key challenges in the future.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAt the end of September, I presented my key initiatives for a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/commission\/presscorner\/detail\/en\/ip_20_1749\u0022\u003EEuropean research area\u003C\/a\u003E, a \u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/commission\/presscorner\/detail\/en\/ip_20_1743\u0022\u003EEuropean education area\u003C\/a\u003E and a \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/education\/education-in-the-eu\/digital-education-action-plan_en\u0022\u003Edigital education action plan\u003C\/a\u003E, which contribute to a more inclusive, greener and digital Europe when it comes to research and education.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E2. Over the course of the pandemic, as the scientific advice and information has emerged, everyone has had to adapt. How did you choose the EU\u2019s research priorities for coronavirus?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe European Commission started addressing the virus at the very beginning of the outbreak. Overall, we are investing more than \u20ac1 billion as part of the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/global-response.europa.eu\/index_en\u0022\u003ECoronavirus Global Response\u003C\/a\u003E. And we coordinated European and global research efforts.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOf course, it all had to start with trying to understand the virus better. In January, we launched our first \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/info\/sites\/info\/files\/research_and_innovation\/research_by_area\/documents\/ec_rtd_cv-projects.pdf\u0022\u003ECovid-19 emergency call\u003C\/a\u003E to advance our knowledge on the novel virus. Since then, we have continued with additional research and support actions, capitalising on Europe\u2019s scientific capacity and the latest developments in the field. This includes support for infrastructures and data resources that enable decisive research.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWe also launched short- and long-term activities. For example, nearly 30,000 people\u0026nbsp;from 114 countries participated in the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/info\/news\/euvsvirus-hackathon-develop-innovative-solutions-and-overcome-coronavirus-related-challenges-2020-apr-03_en\u0022\u003EEUvsVirus hackathon\u003C\/a\u003E to generate 2,150 innovative solutions by the end of April. A \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.euvsvirus.org\/\u0022\u003Etotal of 2,235 partnerships\u003C\/a\u003E which span different forms of funding and benefits, such as mentoring, were brokered by the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/research\/eic\/index.cfm\u0022\u003EEuropean Innovation Council\u003C\/a\u003E (EIC). The EIC also awarded \u20ac166m for the development of solutions to combat the coronavirus pandemic.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThanks to the Horizon 2020 funding programme we are able to act on multiple fronts, from frontier research and cooperation with Member States, to start-ups and involving citizens.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E3. How has the pandemic reshaped European research priorities and what impact will it have on these long-term?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETo be ready for a next crisis, we must support researchers and innovators to work together, share results and data openly and acquire the skills they need to provide us with solutions for our societal challenges. With the plans for a new \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/commission\/presscorner\/detail\/en\/ip_20_1749\u0022\u003EEuropean research area\u003C\/a\u003E unveiled on 30 September, we propose to join forces with all EU countries to prioritise investment and reforms in research and innovation, improve access to excellence for researchers across Europe and ensure results efficiently find their way to the market.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn April, we initiated an \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/info\/files\/first-eravscorona-action-plan-short-term-coordinated-research-and-innovation-actions_en\u0022\u003Eaction plan\u003C\/a\u003E, which was adopted by Member States and helped to coordinate all the research and innovation efforts with national administrations, focusing on coordination of funding, research data and information exchange. In less than two weeks (on 20 April) we launched the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.covid19dataportal.org\/\u0022\u003EEuropean Covid-19 data portal\u003C\/a\u003E to enable the rapid collection and sharing of available research data to support researchers in Europe and around the world.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBut it is not only about supporting the communities. It is essential to deliver concrete results, like \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/reopen.europa.eu\/en\u0022\u003ERe-open EU\u003C\/a\u003E, a platform that contains essential information allowing a safe relaunch of free movement across Europe. It provides real-time information on borders, travel restrictions, and public health and safety measures.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIn Horizon Europe, the next EU research and innovation funding programme that runs from 2021-27, health projects will cover virology, vaccines, treatments and diagnostics, and the translation of research findings into public health policy measures. The climate, energy and mobility, digital industry, and space clusters will aid the scale-up of research resources in climate-related domains and ensure that European enterprises have access to the technologies and data they need.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EResearch and innovation are vital for fighting the pandemic, as well as for sustainable and inclusive recovery.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\u0022tw-text-center tw-text-blue tw-font-bold tw-text-2xl lg:tw-w-1\/2 tw-border-2 tw-border-blue tw-p-12 tw-my-8 lg:tw-m-12 lg:tw--ml-16 tw-float-left\u0022\u003E\n \u003Cspan class=\u0022tw-text-5xl tw-rotate-180\u0022\u003E\u201c\u003C\/span\u003E\n \u003Cp class=\u0022tw-font-serif tw-italic\u0022\u003E\u2018Research and innovation have never been so high on the political agenda.\u2019\u003C\/p\u003E\n \u003Cfooter\u003E\n \u003Ccite class=\u0022tw-not-italic tw-font-normal tw-text-sm tw-text-black\u0022\u003EMariya Gabriel, EU Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth\u003C\/cite\u003E\n \u003C\/footer\u003E\n\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\n\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E4. How exactly do you see the role of R\u0026amp;I in the recovery from the effects of the pandemic \u2013 including social, educational and economic?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EI want Europe to emerge stronger and more resilient from this crisis. For that to happen, research, innovation and education are indispensable, and investments are key. The current crisis is also a unique opportunity for the EU and its Member States to strengthen their policy coherence and joint efforts towards achieving resilience and sustainability.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHorizon Europe will be crucial to this. It will support crucial health and climate-related research and innovation activities. Its new wave of \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/info\/horizon-europe-next-research-and-innovation-framework-programme\/european-partnerships-horizon-europe_en\u0022\u003EEuropean Partnerships\u003C\/a\u003E will ensure long-term strategic cooperation between public and private actors covering critical areas such as energy, transport, biodiversity, health, food and circularity. The new \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/info\/horizon-europe-next-research-and-innovation-framework-programme\/missions-horizon-europe_en\u0022\u003EEU missions\u003C\/a\u003E will tackle some of our most pressing societal challenges, such as adaptation to climate change, saving more lives from cancer, restoring our ocean and waters, greener cities and healthy soils.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWe also should not underestimate the impact this crisis has on people\u2019s mental health, such as the psychological impact of quarantines. We will continue to support research in social sciences and humanities, as well as in behaviour and mental health. For example, we supported four new research projects with \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/info\/sites\/info\/files\/research_and_innovation\/research_by_area\/documents\/ec_rtd_coronavirus-new-research-projects.pdf\u0022\u003E\u20ac28 million to investigate behavioural, social and economic impacts\u003C\/a\u003E of the outbreak responses.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003E5. The proposed Horizon Europe budget has been cut at a time when arguably research has never been more visible and important. What\u2019s your take on this?\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EIndeed. Research and innovation have never been so high on the political agenda. Only science and technology will help us to tackle concretely the ongoing global threats and challenges. And Covid-19 has served as a timely reminder to all of us of the necessity to invest in research and innovation as well as to cooperate with our partners despite tensions at a geopolitical level.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EResearch and innovation play an essential role in shaping Europe\u2019s future.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELike President von der Leyen, I have expressed that the budget reduction is a regrettable decision. We believe that the original Commission proposal was ambitious, but also realistic. Nevertheless, after the July European Council, Horizon Europe still keeps a robust budget envelope to prepare the competitiveness of the European economy for the widest social benefit of the citizens. And we need to recognise that additional funds will also be allocated from \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/info\/live-work-travel-eu\/health\/coronavirus-response\/recovery-plan-europe\/pillars-next-generation-eu_en\u0022\u003ENext Generation EU\u003C\/a\u003E, the \u20ac750bn recovery instrument for Member States, to Horizon Europe.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOn 29 September, Member States came to agreement on the last remaining open issues of Horizon Europe concerning budget, international cooperation and synergies with other EU programmes. The Commission will act as an honest broker in the forthcoming trilogues (negotiations between the Council, Parliament and Commission) on the new budget. A timely agreement on Horizon Europe is in the best interest of our researchers, innovators, companies but most importantly citizens.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EOne thing is certain, we will not be successful in our ambitions without collaboration from regions, cities and villages. We are working on a joint action plan with the Committee of the Regions to build an inclusive research and innovation landscape in Europe.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWe need strong links with our neighbours in this area. The \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/ec.europa.eu\/info\/news\/towards-innovation-agenda-western-balkans-2020-sep-28_en\u0022\u003Einnovation agenda for the Western Balkans\u003C\/a\u003E will contribute to this aim.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWe need to be concrete about what we want to achieve in the short term: to bridge the innovation divide (the difference in innovation capacity between different parts of Europe), to foster a fair and just transition, to develop innovation ecosystems in every region in Europe, and to provide the necessary resources for all our talent.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EExcellence and inclusiveness are the two sides of the same coin. The EU can only succeed if everyone progresses.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/textarea\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E\n\n \u003Cdiv id=\u0022edit-body-content--description\u0022 class=\u0022ecl-help-block description\u0022\u003E\n Please copy the above code and embed it onto your website to republish.\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n \u003C\/div\u003E\n\u003Cinput autocomplete=\u0022off\u0022 data-drupal-selector=\u0022form-wnnnklv8zu0-sgwtydv-tmd59sg9w5usa0crub3oc5e\u0022 type=\u0022hidden\u0022 name=\u0022form_build_id\u0022 value=\u0022form-WNNNKLv8Zu0_SgWTydv-tMd59sg9w5usA0CrUb3Oc5E\u0022 \/\u003E\n\u003Cinput data-drupal-selector=\u0022edit-modal-form-example-modal-form\u0022 type=\u0022hidden\u0022 name=\u0022form_id\u0022 value=\u0022modal_form_example_modal_form\u0022 \/\u003E\n\u003C\/form\u003E\n\u003C\/div\u003E","dialogOptions":{"width":"800","modal":true,"title":"Republish this content"}}]