Commission announces 7 leading scientists to head its new Science Advice Mechanism

The European Commission is today announcing the 7 leading scientists that will form the high level group at the head of the Commission’s new Scientific Advice Mechanism (SAM). The announcement also marks the official launch of the Mechanism itself. Carlos Moedas, Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation, who will be oversee the group’s work, has welcomed the announcement saying: “I am delighted that the Scientific Advice Mechanism (SAM) announced by President Juncker just a few months ago is now up and running. The support from the scientific community has been tremendous with many eminent scientists coming forward to help. The seven exceptional scientists I have appointed to the group will take the use of independent science advice in Commission policy making to a new level. The European Commission will rely on their independent advice on a range of complex policy issues where high-level scientific input is needed”. The Science Advice Mechanism is being launched six months after President Juncker and Commissioner Moedas unveiled plans for a new independent scientific advice system at the Commission. The SAM high level group will draw on scientific advice and experience from Member States and around the world by creating a stronger link with national science academies and other bodies. A grant of €6 million has also been foreseen for the networks of academies and learned societies as part of the Commission’s Horizon 2020 Work Programme for 2016. More information about the new SAM high level group is available here. Click here for the dedicated SAM website.