PHILANTHROPY FOR R&D.

• Position: European Union. European Commission would provide funds for research and development - Brief article

In the search for greater funding to support European research and development, the European Commission is turning to philanthropy. The EU executive announced on 23 January the creation of an expert group that will draw up guidelines aimed at helping universities attract donations, noting the wide variations in member states' performance at present. While these philanthropic sources - such as foundations, trusts, and non-profit associations - currently fund more than 16% of university R&D expenditure in the UK and Sweden, the EU average is as low as 4.2%. The expert group, whose...