During its initial phase from 2007 to 2010, the Forum addressed four critical issues as identified by a cross-section of stakeholders following consultations organised by the European Commission and the EFC in 2006. These are:
- Research funding policies of philanthropic organisations
- Legal, regulatory and fiscal issues relating to donors and philanthropic organisations
- Governance and ethical issues relating to philanthropic support of research
- Fundraising by universities from philanthropic sources
These issues were investigated through research work, peer learning events and working groups to which a range of interested parties were invited to participate. Further information on these events and working groups - for example on research evaluation and intellectual property rights - can be found on the navigation bar on the left-hand side of this page.
Activities in initial phase
Peer learning and exchange of good practices
The Forum will organise practical seminars for peer learning and exchange of good practices, based on the thematic priorities identified by the stakeholders including the review and evaluation of research foundations’ work, governance, ethics and funding policies.
Documenting foundation actions and practices in funding research
There is currently a lack of data on research foundations and a lack of information on the role of the sector in the field across the EU. Closing this information gap is a priority action for the Forum. The Forum will work on “mapping” philanthropic funding for research in Europe, focusing in particular on foundations’ support and practices, from both a qualitative and quantitative point of view.
Documenting and fostering a more conducive legal and fiscal European environment for philanthropy
The Forum will review and document the legal and fiscal environments for research funding, and obstacles, faced by foundations and other philanthropic donors with regards to: tax-effective giving for research; indirect taxation and V.A.T issues in supporting research; cross-border issues such as cross-border giving, transnational R&D projects and the European Foundation Statute.
Monitoring European developments and programmes underpinning research in Europe and internationally
The Forum will act as a platform to monitor and inform participants about funding and partnership opportunities, as well as new developments relating, among others, to: the 7th Framework programme for research and technology development; the European Research Council and its approach to supporting bottom-up and frontier research; and the European Research Area.