EU-ANSA agencies' engagement in the EU research knowledge cycle : an overview

The European Union Agencies Network for Scientific Advice (EU-ANSA) consists of technical and regulatory agencies that provide scientific advice to EU policymakers; these agencies are thus both a source and a user of knowledge. The scientific evidence that underpins the agencies' scientific advice is typically generated by formal research. In collating and systematically reviewing the scientific evidence available to address real-world problems, the agencies also identify where gaps in the evidence exist. Hence, agencies have a deep understanding of the research knowledge available as well as where knowledge gaps limit the quality of advice produced. Agencies therefore have a deep-rooted interest in research and in the generation of knowledge as it underpins the evidence base upon which their advice outputs are derived. The EU-ANSA conducted a survey to map how its member agencies engage with EU research funders and researchers in the research knowledge cycle, which is conceptualised as a sequence of identification of research needs, as advocacy of these needs to EU research funders, as assistance in the assessment of research proposals and as an engagement with ongoing EU research projects. The survey is the basis for discussion about the engagement of agencies in the research knowledge cycle, further elaborated by case studies illustrating good practice examples by agencies, leading to some general conclusions and suggestions.