Funding for research on ecology, forest sciences and agrarian sciences

14.11.2014

Question for written answer E-009339-14
to the Commission
Rule 130
João Ferreira (GUE/NGL) , Miguel Viegas (GUE/NGL)

Research on ecology, forest sciences or agrarian sciences does not have the same timescale as other scientific fields. In brief, much more time is needed to obtain results, meaning that research projects will necessarily last longer and it is more difficult to attract the interest or involvement of companies interested in cycles and rhythms of profitability that do not always fit with the aforesaid timescale.

The rules — both national and European — governing funding for R&D projects in these fields do not always take this specific feature into account, with detrimental consequences for the researchers’ work and its results.

In view of this, can the Commission say how this specific feature of the scientific fields could be better taken into account in the current programme funding rules and measures? Is it considering the possibility of putting forward amendments to the rules so as to give more consideration to this particular aspect?