Ever wondered how European research and innovation policies are shaped from within? This episode of The Insider brings you right to the heart of EU policy-making with Carla Matias dos Santos, Research and Space Councillor at the Permanent Representation of Portugal to the EU in Brussels.

Carla is not only an expert in her field but also a key player in representing Portugal's priorities in science, innovation, and space policy within the EU. In this episode, Carla pulls back the curtain on Brussels’ intricate world of diplomacy and decision-making, sharing her first-hand experiences and the challenges of balancing work and life in this dynamic hub.

What we covered:

🔹 Coreper's Role in Policy Shaping: Coreper, or the Committee of Permanent Representatives, is where ‘hardcore diplomacy’ happens. Carla explains how this committee sets the stage for final decisions by aligning EU-wide goals with national interests. This is where negotiations get real, and consensus is built before issues reach the Council.

🔹 EU’s Co-Decision Process: We dive deep into how the European Parliament, Commission, and Council work together under the co-decision framework to shape policies. Carla elaborates on the complexities of balancing technical expertise with the democratic voice of the EU’s citizens.

🔹 Impact of the Draghi Report and MFF: With major implications for the future of EU research funding, Carla discusses the Draghi report and potential shifts in the Multi-Annual Financial Framework (MFF). Will research and innovation maintain a standalone value in the budget, or risk being absorbed into broader competitiveness funds?

🔹 The Importance of Stakeholder Engagement: Carla sheds light on the essential role of stakeholder voices in Brussels and how Portugal advocates for a dedicated research office to enhance collaboration, share insights, and influence EU policies from the ground up.

🔹 International Collaboration and Future Challenges: We discuss why international cooperation is critical in the face of global competition and how security concerns shape collaborative policies with countries like the US and China.

Carla’s perspective highlights the dynamic shifts in the EU's strategic research agenda, the growing influence of the European Parliament, and why stakeholder participation is key to securing a strong research future.

In this episode, Ricardo Migueis discusses the implications of FP10, the EU's framework for research and innovation. He highlights the importance of balancing excellence with regional inclusivity in funding, the potential of a trust-first model for project evaluation, and the need for national contributions to meet EU budget targets. The conversation emphasizes the critical role of regional voices in shaping research policies and the necessity for cohesive efforts across all levels of governance to ensure Europe's competitiveness in innovation.

Takeaways

• FP10 is crucial for Europe's global competitiveness.
• Regional voices are essential in the funding conversation.
• Cohesion in funding is as important as excellence.
• National contributions to R&D budgets are lacking.
• A trust-first model could enhance project efficiency.
• Public research has significant social and economic impacts.
• Skills development is vital for future innovation.
• EU funds should complement, not replace, local investments.
• Balancing regional needs with high-impact projects is key.
• The future of FP10 will shape Europe's innovation landscape.

Chapters

00:00: Introduction to FP10 and Its Importance

03:10: Regional Perspectives on Research Funding

06:03: The Trust-First Model and Its Implications

In this episode, we sit down with Professor Marco Piccardo, the first INESC researcher to win an ERC grant while at INESC, marking a major milestone in his professional journey. Marco shares the fascinating intersection between creativity and scientific research, drawing from his groundbreaking ERC grant-winning project, MetaPOWER. He offers a rare glimpse into the unpredictable nature of idea generation, the importance of collaboration in refining research proposals, and the critical strategies behind a successful ERC application.

Our conversation goes into both the personal and professional challenges Marco faced, shedding light on his approach to balancing the pressures of academia with the need for creative space. A key focus of this episode is "slow productivity" a concept that emphasizes sustainable, high-quality research outputs over time, which Marco argues is essential for long-term success in a demanding field like his.

In addition, we explore the role of institutional support in fostering innovative research, a factor Marco credits as crucial in his achievements. Whether you're an aspiring researcher, an academic, or simply curious about the inner workings of cutting-edge science, this episode offers valuable lessons on perseverance, planning, and the art of managing both ideas and energy in the world of research.

Key Takeaways:

• Creativity is at the heart of groundbreaking research.
• Ideas often emerge when least expected.
• Writing a successful ERC proposal demands both creativity and meticulous organization.
• MetaPOWER aims to revolutionize the way we understand laser-matter interactions.
• Crafting a compelling ERC proposal is a delicate balance between art and science.
• Long-term planning is essential for securing major research grants.
• Maintaining work-life balance remains a significant challenge in academia.
• Embracing slow productivity can improve the quality of scientific outputs.
• Institutional support plays a pivotal role in achieving research success.
• Energy management is key to sustaining long-term research efforts.

Episode Chapters:

00:00 - The Birth of Creativity: How Ideas Emerge

07:12 - Navigating the ERC Grant Application Process

10:31 - Introducing the MetaPOWER Project: Vision and Impact

17:36 - Strategic Insights for Crafting a Winning ERC Proposal

25:14 - Balancing Work and Life in the World of Research

37:45 - Future Directions for MetaPOWER: What's Next?

53:21 - The Critical Role of Institutional Support in Research Success