In the period covered by the first ESF Corporate Plan (1998-2001), one of the main topics of debate in science policy was the proposal from Commissioner Busquin to establish and promote the concept of the European Research Area. ESF and its constituent bodies provided detailed scientific advice to the European Commission

• Europe's Framework for research - High Level Working Group convened by ESF to review the option of creating a European research council -  Report of the High Level Group (June 2001)
  

• Joint Statement from the European Science Foundation (ESF), All European Academies (ALLEA), and the European University Association (EUA)
  

• ESF response to the EC Communication "Making a Reality of the ERA" PDF
   

• ESF response to the EC Communication "Towards a European Research Area (ERA)" PDF
  

• Navigating the Future: Towards a Marine European Research Area. Position Paper N°3 (March 2001)
  

• The need for high-bandwidth computer-based networking in Europe - Policy Briefing 7

• The future of European Science & Technology Policy: A keynote speech by Dr. José Mariano Gago, Portuguese Minister of Research Policy Briefing 6 (February 2000)

[Further information on ERA and European Union's policy in the field of research and technological development can be found under http://ec.europa.eu/research/]