Dear EGU Expert,

Our first Science for Policy Newsletter of 2024 highlights various opportunities and resources that will kick-start your policy engagement this year! Read on to learn about calls for evidence from the European Commission, science-policy pairing schemes across Europe, the Council’s approval of conclusions on the impact of research in policymaking, and your chance to join the European Open Science Forum.

If you have any further questions or comments about the policy opportunities that exist for scientists in Europe, don’t hesitate to get in touch via policy@egu.eu or on the EGU’s official Science for Policy Twitter Account @EGU_Policy.

Best wishes,
Chloe Hill, EGU Policy Manager

As part of the European Commission’s Scientific Advice Mechanism, Science Advice for Policy by European Academies (SAPEA) provides independent and transparent scientific evidence in response to official requests by the European Commission. SAPEA currently has an open call for experts to provide evidence on Cross sectoral evidence-based governance for One Health in the EU.

SAPEA’s Young Academies Science Advice Structure network is currently seeking nominations for early- and mid-career researchers who are experts on this topic and who would like to contribute to this expert working group or provide relevant scientific material and expertise. If you’re a researcher working on this topic or on an adjacent topic (such as health-related issues linked to environmental stressors and climate change), you can nominate yourself or a colleague by sending an email to Stephany.mazon@sapea.info with a curriculum vitae and a short statement on the relevance of the candidate’s expertise by 17 January 2024.

Science-policy pairing schemes provide researchers with the opportunity to gain a better understanding of how policymakers use evidence, the political landscape relevant to their work, and how they can more effectively engage in policymaking processes. Pairing Schemes are generally for a short period (a few days or weeks), allowing researchers to undertake them while remaining in their current research position. They not only provide policymakers with access to scientific expertise but also encourage them to consider research in their future decision-making!

December’s GeoPolicy Blog post lists various pairing scheme opportunities including the Pairing Scheme hosted by the Luxembourg National Research Fund which researchers working for an accredited Luxembourgish Research Institution can apply for until 14:00 CET on 24 January 2024.

In December, the European Council approved conclusions on the impact of research and innovation in policymaking, supporting the contribution of science to reinforce policymaking and its ability to enhance cooperation and cohesion. The Council’s conclusions were supported by a foundation of studies and initiatives produced by the European Commission over the last few years including the Better Regulation agenda that supports evidence-informed, transparent EU law-making, the Recommendation on the guiding principles for knowledge valorisation, and the Working Document – Supporting and connecting policymaking in the Member States with scientific research.

The Council’s conclusions on the impact of research and innovation in policymaking highlight the willingness of European policymakers to engage with the scientific community and their desire to engage with effective science advice mechanisms to support their decision-making. You can read the Council’s Conclusions here.

The European Commission’s Consultations and Calls for Evidence provide individuals and organisations with an opportunity to contribute to the EU policymaking process by providing feedback on Commission initiatives as they take shape or are being evaluated. Both individuals and organisations that are listed on the EU’s Transparency Register can engage in this feedback mechanism!

8th Environment Action Programme – Mid-term Review

The 8th Environment Action Programme outlines the EU’s 2023 priority objectives for environment and climate policy as well as its long-term vision of living well, within planetary boundaries. The European Commission is calling for evidence and feedback on the Programme to helping assessing its progress in achieving the programme’s 2030 priority objectives, its 2050 vision, and in establishing a robust monitoring framework that is capable of assessing systemic change.

You can read 8th Environment Action Programme and provide your feedback here until midnight on 26 January 2024.

Protecting waters from pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources

The EU’s current rules on nitrates aim to protect water quality by reducing and preventing pollution. While water quality has improved in the EU in recent decades, pollution by nitrates can still be a serious problem. This evaluation will assess how well these rules have worked and whether they are still fit for purpose considering the EU’s ambition on environmental and climate policy, and its goals to achieve sustainable and resilient agriculture and food security.

You can read more about this consultation and provide evidence and feedback here until midnight on 8 March 2024.

The 11th edition of the EuroScience Open Forum will take place from 12-15 June 2024 in Katowice, Poland. Every two years, the EuroScience Open Forum brings together scientists, entrepreneurs, politicians, journalists, and citizens are going to discuss the latest scientific achievements, the arts, and their impact on society. In 2024, the event will focus on six thematic areas to which participants can submit an abstract.

You can read more about ESOF2024 here and submit an abstract for the event here before midnight on 31 January 2024.