On September 16, European Commissioner for Research and Innovation, Maire Geoghean Quinn, replied to a Written Question tabled by MEP Pat the Cope Gallagher (ALDE, IE) on ‘EU R&D policy in developing countries’:
“The main instrument for the implementation of EU research policy is the Framework Programme (FP). It has an important international dimension which, for decades, has included the support and promotion of research and development in, with, and for developing countries through the funding of collaborative North-South research projects. The specific needs and priorities of the developing countries/regions are identified through multilateral and bi-regional dialogues, and in the context of relevant bilateral cooperation agreements and the Millennium Development Goals. Amongst the major thematic areas of the FP targeting development issues are:
Health: Research into Poverty Related Diseases (HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria); Neglected Infectious Diseases; public health and health systems including reproductive and maternal health. In addition to research projects, the Health Research programme also funds the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership .
Food/Agriculture: Research into improved agro-forestry systems, sustainable farming and tolerance of food crops to multiple stresses, including drought and salinity. In the spirit of Policy Coherence for Development, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (DG RTD), together with Directorate-General for Development (DE DEV), Directorate-General for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response (DG AIDCO) and Directorate-General for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (DG RELEX) have developed Guidelines on Agricultural Research for Development .
Information and Communications Technologies: Collaborative research projects, technology roadmaps and technology transfer initiatives have been launched in fields such as low-cost terminals, user interfaces, networking technologies, mobile e-applications or open source software. Research and education networks, grid computing and digital scientific repositories are funded, including their interconnection with the European GEANT network.
Research targeted towards development issues is also funded in the environment and climate, energy and social sciences themes. Furthermore, the Marie Curie actions of FP7 provide 'Incoming fellowships' for researchers to come to Europe and include a dedicated return mechanism for researchers from developing countries. Marie Curie Initial Training Networks for early-stage researchers are open to researchers from developing countries. The International Research Staff Exchange Scheme allows the short-term exchange of researchers between EU/associated-country organisations and organisations in 29 third countries, 22 of which are categorised as 'developing'.
In 2009, DG RTD launched a dedicated 'Africa Call'. This had been identified as one of the 'early deliverables' for the EU-Africa Partnership 8 (Science, Information Society and Space) . There was a total budget allocation of EUR63 million. Emphasis was on 'Water and Food Security' and 'Better Health for Africa'. A principle objective of the Africa Call was to strengthen local capacities in the relevant science and technology fields and their applications, including through appropriate training activities and exchange of staff.
In addition to the activities of the FP, research and development capacity building in developing countries can be funded through the EU's development instruments: the Development Cooperation Instrument (DCI) and the European Development Fund (EDF).
The Food Security Thematic Programme of the DCI is a major source of European funding for agricultural research for development. This programme provided €130 million over four years to the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) which is dedicated to generation of international public goods to support food security and poverty reduction in developing countries. About half of Commission support to CGIAR is focused on Africa. Where capacity is weakest, progress on poverty reduction has been modest and where agriculture usually forms a significant part of national economies. In addition support is provided to regional and subregional research networks such as FARA (Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (EUR10 million), the Association for Strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern, Southern and Central Africa (EUR18 million) and to the Conseil Ouest et Centre Africain pour la Recherche et la Développement Agricole (EUR11.4 million), whose programmes include regional research on crops, livestock, fisheries, biotechnologies and natural resources management.
In 2008, the EDF dedicated some EUR33 million to Science and Technology capacity building in the African-Caribbean-Pacific (ACP) group of states. The objective was to support ACP countries in formulating and implementing Science and Technology policies that can lead to sustainable development and to poverty reduction through economic growth and progressive integration in the world economy.
In 2009, the EDF funded a new programme of competitive research grants on a pan-African level. This is also one of the 'early deliverables' for the EU-Africa Partnership 8. The objective is to promote sustainable science and technology research for Africa's technical, economic and social development as well as to develop programme management capacity in the African Union Commission which will manage the programme. The budget foreseen is EUR15 million.”
