EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 



The recent evolution of science and technology (S&T) poUcies and programs in Western Europe gives 

 strong indications of a developing umbrella structure for S&T strategic planning, research coordination and 

 resource development. The EC Commission is not the only locus of multilateral research and 

 research-related activities in Western Europe, but it is rapidly becoming the largest source of funding and 

 adnriinistrative and planning resources for such cooperation. The principal characteristics of this evolving 

 organizational paradigm are as foUow^s: 



• multilateral S&T cooperation within the EC appears to be leading to integration of overall 

 poUcymaking, strategic R&D planning and coordination of resource creation and allocation, strongly 

 influenced and led by the EC Commission; 



• all EC members support this cooperative paradigm, to varying degrees, w^hUe the EC Connmission 

 assumes a growing but contentious role in stimulating, guiding and making it operational, 

 incorporating it in the larger movement toward economic and pohtical integration; 



• the EC Commission is moving quickly to develop pohcies and activities to support international 

 cooperation in S&T; on several important topics, such as environmental protection and global 

 warming, the EC represents the member states collectively in the international arena; 



• the EC member nations' primary responsibUity for research support, facilities and human resources 

 remains paramount; the EC superstructure is to be integrative, and supplementary of member state S&T 

 undertakings; 



• the evolving situation in Western Europe implies significant challenges facing US decision-makers, 

 chiefly: 1) obtaining an accurate, comprehensive assessment of European S&T integration; 2) resolving 

 differing internal US government views about exercising US influence on that process; and 3) 

 allocating, or reallocating, resources among bilateral and multilateral cooperative activities; 



Six areas of concern in US-European S&T relations are highhghted by this report, with appropriate pohcy 

 and operational recommendations. Those most pertinent to NSF, suggesting possible action on the agency's 

 part, are as follows: 



• US Government S&T Relations with Europe: NSF should institutionalize and expand ongoing contacts 

 and cooperation with the EC, using the newly-estabUshed US-EC Joint Consultative Group on S&T as a 

 mechanism to stimulate cooperation and concertation of international S&T activities. 



• US-EC Human Resources: Supply, Education and Mobility: Increased U.S. efforts to support pre- and 

 post-doctoral exchanges should include exploring a joint US-EC program of one-year research 

 sabbaticals. 



• US Access to European Research Programs and Results: A joint US-EC database and communications 

 network for S&T information and research programs and results should be developed and funded. 



• Collection, Assessment and Dissemination of European S&T Information: NSF information collection & 

 assessment and pohcy support capabihties regarding European S&T should be increased and utilized 

 more widely. 



• Civilian Research and Technology Assistance to Central and Eastern Europe: A US-EC effort should aim to 

 famiUarize East European researchers with Western R&D management practices, to better utilize 

 Western technology transfer and to promote innovation and market-oriented research & technology 

 development. 



