Part
01
of two
Part
01
European “Frontier” Research Agencies (Part 1 of 2)
As requested, an overview for each research agency, Austrian Science Fund (FWF), the Swedish Research Council (VR), and the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) has been provided.
I. Austrian Science Fund (FWF)
1. Objectives
— To enhance Austria's science position (both in terms of research quality and reputed scientific location) on the world stage by funding high quality research and improve Austria's innovation system and capabilities.
— To train Austria's personnel for science and research
— To highlight the inseparable link between science and other fields (culture, economy...) and improve public recognition of science and research through purposeful public interactions.
2. Recent trends and adaptations
a. Open Access trend: Following the Berlin Declaration on Open Access to Knowledge in the Sciences and Humanities, the FWF entails and encourages all researchers to publish their peer-reviewed projects freely online. On February 12th, 2018, the Austrian Science Fund declared its partnership with John Wiley and Sons and the Austrian Academic Library Consortium (KEMÖ) to "a three-year combined open access publication and subscription agreement".
For the period of 2017 to 2020, FWF aims to:
— Bring Austria to become the top location for science and improve basic research.
— Effectively allocate resources in different areas.
— Develop and publish new content, including the high-risk topics.
— Establish an FWF Foundation to attract more funds.
To achieve these goals, FWF has implemented the “1,000 Ideas Programme” — a system assisting high-risk projects and “future chairs” — a program specialized for best young scholars. These initiatives will help to improve Austria's reputation as a scientific venue.
3. Other organizations
In Austria, there is another organization named Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG), which also funds basic research and R&D applied research. FFG is a "national funding agency" and belongs to the Republic of Austria.
II. Swedish Research Council (VR)
The Swedish Research Council is under the control of Swedish Ministry of Education and Research. It is a research funding organization and policy-counseling agency for government. VR supports basic research.
1. Objectives
2. Strategies
Gender equality strategy
The Swedish Research Council states in its remit the importance of bringing about gender equality in science institutions. Frequent investigations are conducted on the issue, along with continual screenings of applications handling and follow-up discussions to improve the current situation. Moreover, from 2015 to 2018, the Swedish Research Council participate in a government developmental program specializing in improving gender equality in all initiatives.
3. Recent trends and adaptations
Over the next 10 years, one of the most notable enhancements in the Swedish Research Council's plan is its heavy investment focus on e-infrastructures, bringing its research environments to top-notch quality and achieving global standard.
4. Other organizations
In Sweden, there are 4 major funding research agencies: Vinnova, the Swedish Research Council, Forte and Formas. Vinnova is under the administration of the Ministry of Enterprise and Innovation and specializes in R & D funding. Forte is a research agency under the management of the Swedish Ministry of Health and Social Affairs. Formas also involves in research funding, but specializes in sustainable development.
III. The Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF)
The Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) is a Swiss funding research agency with a mission to foster the development of young talents in science. SNSF focuses on basic research.
— Provide proper environments for excellent research.
— Close the researchers' budget gap
— Promote the value and supports the expansion of knowledge in different fields.
2. Recent trends and adaptations
Most notable trends during the period 2017-2020 are:
— SNSF will continue to focus on project funding, a scheme that helps researchers to apply for funds for project of their preferences.
— SNSF will introduce PRIMA — Promote Women in Academia, which promotes gender equality and supports women in scientific careers.
3. Other organizations
In Switzerland, there are two agencies that directly receive funding from the Swiss Confederation; they are the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) and Innosuisse — Swiss Innovation Agency. While SNSF focus on funding basic research, Innosuisse provides fund to applied research between institutions and industry.
Conclusion
From the research, we can conclude that these three research agencies all conduct basic research. In addition, they also share common goals: to ensure high quality research and improve its country's position in scientific research.