The European Commission are consulting on the Common Research Framework for Research and Innovation that will replace the seventh Framework Programme after 2013 http://ec.europa.eu/research/csfri/index_en.cfm. This Green Paper lays out a new approach to European funding, which, among other points, includes a greater focus on innovation and grand challenges, and the abolition of a separate ring-fenced strand of funding for humanities and socio-economic sciences.

We believe Arts and Humanities research has an essential role to play in Europe's future, both in terms of its fundamental quality and significance, and in terms of the crucial contribution this research can make to key European grand challenges. The AHRC submission to the European Commission is available here (111kb pdf). We have also contributed to, and are fully supportive of, the RCUK response (305kb pdf).

We would like to encourage organisations and individuals to submit their own responses to this consultation. This consultation is the major opportunity to influence research funding in Europe as the new common Research framework will set the research and innovation agenda for several years. We urge you to respond to the consultation and ensure that the distinctive and relevant voices of arts and humanities researchers are heard in Europe. 

If you have any questions about the AHRC response please contact Lucy Parnall (European Strategy and Development Manager) l.parnall@ahrc.ac.uk