Structures providing policy-relevant advice on infrastructures

At present the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation does not make use of a formal advisory structure aiming specifically at research  dinfrastructures. In general advice is given on an ad-hoc basis. The scientific community must show enough interest and apply for funds, which will then be given if the application can compete with other applications. The Danish Research Council organisation is a core player in Denmark to give advice in matters regarding research infrastructure. The Danish Research Council advisory system regarding research infrastructure consists of the following bodies:

• The Board of the Danish Research Councils which handles tasks of common interest and importance to the interdisciplinary and strategic activities of the Danish research Councils, including scientific advice on research infrastructure issues.
• The six Research Councils, each of which provide financial support to research activities, including research infrastructures, and scientific advice in this regard.
• In addition a third kind of committee, set up by the Board, is acting as an ad-hoc committee for evaluation of proposals and setting priorities for funding of expensive equipment. This committee is primarily dealing with infrastructure on a national basis.

Policy development with respect to Life Watch

The Ministry asked out into the public who were interested in which ESFRI projects and the researchers responded that Lifewatch was one of them, and so did the Natural Science Research Council. However, there will not be any national position as such. Scientists wanting Denmarks participation in Lifewatch must compete for the funds with those who wish Danish participation in other ESFRI projects, and the proposals undergo international review.

National Life Watch network 

Danish researchers interested in Lifewatch have formed a Consortium. The Danish Lifewatch Consortium is a loose network of researchers who are working together to assemble an application for the fund supporting Danish participation in ESFRI projects.

Contacts

• For ESFRI: Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation
• Life Watch network: Prof. Henrik Balslev, University of Aarhus