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Petition
for increased EU funding sees decisive response
Heidelberg,
Germany, July 6th, 2005
A petition launched by the European Molecular Biology Organization
(EMBO) and the European Life Sciences Forum (ELSF) calling for increased
funding for research in the EU’s Framework 7 budget has met with
a rapid and decisive response from the scientific community.
EMBO and ELSF instigated the petition in response to the Luxembourg
presidency’s budget proposal of June 2, which suggests a cut of
approximately 40% in the budget for research and innovation –
in contrast to a 10% reduction in structural funds and a 5% cut in agriculture
spending.
To date, over 16,000 scientists have endorsed the call to provide the
resources urgently needed to achieve the objectives of the Lisbon agenda.
The petition is open to scientists of all disciplines and the number
of signatories is currently increasing at a rate of around 1,000 per
day.
EMBO Executive Director, Frank Gannon commented,
 The response
of the scientific community sends a clear message to the political leaders
in Europe. Science is not a luxury item in modern society. It is the
basis of our well-being. The proposal to cut the budget for research
suggests that this message needs to be reaffirmed at a political level.
The results of the petition will be communicated to EU heads
of state and government and the EU ministers for finance and research.
To view the petition and the current number of signatories, go to www.embo.org/petition/petition.php
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