The European Commission has today launched a call asking experts from all fields to participate in shaping the agenda of Horizon 2020, the European Union’s future funding programme for research and innovation.

This marks the first time that the Commission has launched such a call for its research and innovation programme. Advisory groups will provide high quality and timely advice for the preparation of the Horizon 2020 calls for project proposals.

Groups will be set up on topics of major concern for European citizens, such as climate change, making renewable energy more affordable, ensuring safe food or coping with the challenges of ageing.

European Research, Innovation and Science Commissioner Máire Geoghegan-Quinn said: “Our aim is to reach the broadest range of experts who will help us to deliver innovative ideas, sustainable growth and new jobs. Introducing this transparent and inclusive call for Horizon 2020 means we are reaching out to the entire European research and innovation community. I would in particular like to encourage women and individuals with the right expertise but who have not been involved in the past to show their interest.”

The expert advisory groups will start their work during spring of this year to provide advice in time for the first Horizon 2020 calls, which are expected to be launched by the end of 2013. Individuals and actors wishing to be considered for the first advisory groups have until 6 March 2013 at 5 p.m. Brussels local time to register. The call for expressions of interest will stay open for the lifetime of the Horizon 2020 programme in order to accommodate the renewal of groups at the end of each mandate.

Individuals can express their interest, acting either in a personal capacity, as representatives of collective interest groups or as representatives of organisations.

Details of the criteria on which selection will be based, including the profile of experts, are set out in the call. The full text and guidance on how to register can be found through the following link: http://ec.europa.eu/research/horizon2020/index_en.cfm?pg=h2020-experts