1.JEDI LAUNCHES THE TRANSATLANTIC ‘SCIENCE FELLOWS’ PROGRAM AND WELCOMES THE BEST SCIENTISTS GLOBALLY TO BECOME PMs OF ITS MOONSHOT PROGRAMS

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The Joint European Disruptive Initiative, the European ARPA, is launching its “Science Fellow” program, offering 10 Program Manager positions for some of the best scientists from all over the world, starting with scientists from the Americas (the ”Transatlantic Science Fellows“). The Fellows will be offered to contribute to JEDI Moonshot Science & Technology Programs in the fields of energy, lifesciences and computing - in areas ranging from fusion to AI & biology, and from material sciences to quantum.

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The “Science Fellows” program is aimed at increasing international cooperation in research, at a time of global uncertainties. It is open to the best brains, that can choose to remain in their home country, while contributing to some of the most pressing challenges of our times where science and advanced tech can make a major difference.

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2. JEDI INITIATES A COALITION OF MAJOR EUROPEAN & INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATIONS COMMITTED TO SCIENCE AND ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY

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At the occasion of the ”Choose France and Europe for Science” conference organized in La Sorbonne on May 5 in presence of President Emmanuel Macron and Ursula von der Leyen, we are launching a coalition of non-governmental funders of science and advanced research.

 

The goal of this coalition is fourfold:

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1. To mobilize civil society and philanthropy to do much more for research, and not expect everything from the public sector. European foundations commit only a fraction of what their US counterparts mobilize for science

2. To demonstrate how complementary foundations can be with the public sector: foundations bring huge speed, agility and tackle some of the boldest challenges. They can also be a trigger for more public support.

3. To coordinate better the efforts among foundations – the philanthropic landscape for science, in particular in Europe, is still very fragmented, and would gain from better information on various programs, best practices sharing, less duplications, while ensuring that each foundation retains full flexibility towards its own goals

4. To potentially launch joint programs – especially given the current context of accelerated climate change, technological leaps such as in AI, and pressure on free science and research in some parts of the world

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3. JEDI REVEALS ITS SCIENCE & PHILANTHROPY RADAR SHOWING THE POTENTIAL OF MOBILIZING PHILANTHROPY & CIVIL SOCIETY FOR SCIENCE IN EUROPE

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JEDI will soon publish the very first  ‘Science & Philanthropy Radar’, tracking how much is spent on science/tech by philanthropies - globally, and in Europe. Here some of the first great insights that can be disclosed:

 

   (i) Each of the top 3 foundations (all US) give more to science than the top 10 European foundations together

   (ii)On money spent on science, the 1st European foundation is ranking only #6 globally (behind 5 US ones)

   (iii) Among the top 10 European foundations giving to science and tech, 9 are from Nordics, Germany or the UK

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André Loesekrug-Pietri, President and Scientific Director of JEDI, underlined: ”JEDI represents the largest deeptech ecosystem in Europe, with thousands of scientists, researchers, deeptech startup founders and industry CTOs. Our main focus is to launch Moonshot research programs, for prosperity, leadership and resilience of European and democratic societies”. He added: “We are keen to rally foundations to increase even more their commitment to research and science, and stand by scientists under pressure all over the world. The potential of philanthropy in Europe is massive: it is an agile and bold complement to public efforts, to solve some of the most pressing challenges of our time, and champion an economy and a research ecosystem reflecting humanistic values.”

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