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REPORT (2023/2184(INL))

With recommendations to the Commission on promotion of the freedom of scientific research in the EU

A-9-2023-0393

Committee on Industry, Research and Energy · Rapporteur: Christian Ehler

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Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text. The paragraph links open the paragraph a statement rests on — check the text itself before relying on it.

Parliament's resolution asks the Commission to propose a binding act on the freedom of scientific research, based on Article 182(5) and Article 179(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, following the principles in the Annex. It finds that this freedom is under pressure and eroding in the Union, harming innovation, competitiveness and democracy, and that the Bonn Declaration lacks implementation instruments at European level. It calls on the Commission to use its legal authority to protect this freedom, and on member states to respect it and not restrict it unduly in the name of public interest. It defends researchers' labour rights and stable contracts, especially for early-career researchers, and asks for a European Fellowship Scheme for Researchers at Risk. The Annex sets out definitions of the freedom of scientific research, the rights of individual researchers, the institutional autonomy and obligations of research organisations, and the obligations of governmental bodies.

Committee position. The committee proposes that Parliament request the Commission to submit a binding act on the freedom of scientific research, following the principles and aims in the Annex, and calls for action by the Commission and member states to protect and promote it.

Key points

  1. Reaffirms the Union's commitment to fundamental rights, including academic freedom and the freedom of scientific research in all scientific disciplines and the arts.
  2. Finds that precariousness harms the freedom of scientific research and defends researchers' labour rights, stable contracts, decent wages and social protection.
  3. Emphasises equal opportunities and gender equality, and calls for clearer career paths, transparent recruitment and social security for early-career researchers and doctoral candidates.
  4. Stresses academic self-governance, including researchers' say on the governance and labour conditions of their institution, and their rights under Article 12 of the Charter.
  5. Encourages research organisations to engage in international cooperation and science diplomacy, and insists the Union be a safe haven for researchers at risk.
  6. Says freedom of scientific research must respect the highest ethical standards and integrity, foster Open Science, and require transparency of funding.
  7. Calls for open knowledge, protection of non-commercial sharing of research results under Union law, and open-access publication of publicly funded results.
  8. Urges the Commission to use its legal authority to prevent backsliding and to fund scientific pluralism across the full spectrum of research.
  9. Calls on member states to ensure measures taken for public interest, national security or public safety do not unduly restrict the freedom of scientific research.
  10. Calls on the European Council to support protection and promotion of this freedom in all member states, and for additional public funds for independent research.
  11. Requests the Commission to submit a proposal for an act on the freedom of scientific research under Article 182(5) and Article 179(1) of the Treaty.
  12. The Annex recommends defining the freedom, listing researchers' rights, requiring institutional autonomy with researcher involvement, and obliging governments to respect, protect, promote and ensure it.

Who is affected

  • Scientific researchers: the Annex lists their rights, including free choice of research topics, publication and access to information.
  • Scientific research organisations: they should have institutional autonomy and involve researchers in decision-making.
  • Member states and their governmental bodies: they must respect, protect, promote and ensure the freedom of scientific research.
  • The Commission: asked to use its legal authority and to submit a proposal for an act.
  • Early-career researchers and researchers at risk: targeted for clearer career paths and emergency placements.

Figures and deadlines

  • On the Academic Freedom Index all member states scored above 0,85 in 2008; in 2022 the lowest score was 0,34.

Legal basis: Article 182(5), in conjunction with Article 179(1), of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.