As part of its 2013-2018 strategic plan, ERS is currently working on the launch of a Research Agency, which will support respiratory research across Europe.
A new editorial, written by the Research Agency working group, and published in the latest ERJ outlines the mission and vision of the Agency and the value it will add in a challenging research environment.
The central aim of the Research Agency is to facilitate respiratory research through the coordination and support of the respiratory research community and its efforts to obtain funding. Structured around four strategic areas of activity, the Research Agency aims to harness the experience and reputation of ERS to form an international umbrella organisation to further respiratory research. The areas are:
- Standards, Guidance and Training
- Supporting Researcher Career Development
- Obtaining Funding, Coordinating Research Projects and Clinical Studies
- Data
Professor Stephen Holgate, Chair of the ERS Science Council, commented: “The current environment for research is complex and challenging and we believe that there is a significant opportunity here for ERS to help improve this situation. The Research Agency will be an investment in the future of respiratory research and we believe it can have a positive impact, ultimately improving the health of respiratory patients.”
Over the next few weeks, initial steps for the development of the Research Agency will commence. This will include an online survey of members’ analysing the respiratory cohorts they are currently involved with, supporting consortiums in Horizon 2020 applications, and conducting a pilot project of combining data sets in airway diseases to evaluate common treatable traits.
If you have any questions about the ERS Research Agency, and its development and integration within the Society please contact us: scientific@ersnet.org