Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

[**Avis juridique important**](../../../editorial/legal_notice.htm)

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# 91997E2021

**WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2021/97 by Carlos ROBLES PIQUER to the Commission. Continued Japanese cooperation in basic brain research** 
  
*Official Journal C 076 , 11/03/1998 P. 0066*

  

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2021/97 by Carlos Robles Piquer (PPE) to the Commission (11 June 1997)

Subject: Continued Japanese cooperation in basic brain research

In the middle of April 1997 48 research grants and 160 two-year post-doctoral scholarships were granted for 1997 by the Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP), the Scientific Council of which is chaired by the French Professor Pierre Chambon.

The Board of Trustees chaired by Dr Kozo Iizuka announced that the budget for 1997 would amount to $ 47 million, 80% of which would still be provided by Japan, whilst the United States and the European Union would provide 10% each.

Aid was first granted in 1990 and two assessments (ARA and PREST) were carried out recently. Can the Commission say whether it agrees with the positive scientific evaluation given by these assessments? Furthermore, does the Commission consider that the same level of European participation should be maintained in this non-profit-making organization, which is devoted to international cooperation in basic research into the brain and biological functions?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission (1 August 1997)

The European contribution to the Human frontier science programme (HFSP) is shared among those Member States participating in the world economic summits. The Community and Switzerland are management supporting parties. The Community contributes ECU 800 000, i.e. approximately 2% of the 47 million US dollars budget for 1997.

As foreseen in the statutes of HFSP a scientific evaluation of the programme had been undertaken by eminent scientists, and a general review of the Human frontier science programme carried out jointly by ARA consulting Group Inc. (Canada) and Policy Research in Engineering, Science and Technology (PREST), University of Manchester (United Kingdom). The results of the review were that this programme has been very successful in supporting scientific transcontinental collaboration at the highest level. The grant scheme has been identified as unique. The recommendations were that for the time being the scientific areas concerning brain research and molecular approaches should be maintained and the programme should continue.

At a meeting in Washington on 20 May 1997 representatives of the funding parties agreed that the programme should continue and that the budget should be increased, in particular, in order to ensure a critical mass of research grants. The next general review of the HFSP will take place in 2001.

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