The second Corporate Plan of ESF covered the period from 2002 to 2006 and introduced the "ESF Scientific Forward Looks". This new key science policy approach aims to medium term perspective on future directions of multi-disciplinary research in Europe. The plan stressed the importance of providing views and positions statements on science and science policy matters by ESF and its Standing Committees and Experts Boards.
Selected science policy activities undertaken in the period from 2002 to 2006 are:
Systems Biology: a Grand Challenge for Europe
ESF Science Policy Briefing N°25 (October 2005)Scientific Perspectives for ESA's Future Programme in Life and Physical Sciences in Space
Recommendations of the ESSC-ESF following an Evaluation of the European Programme for Life and Physical Sciences and Applications in Space (ELIPS) of the European Space Agency. (September 2005)Modelling in Coastal and Shelf Seas - European Challenges
Marine Board ESF Position Paper N°7 (June 2005)Research on Infectious Diseases
ESF Science Policy Briefing N°24 (August 2005) - Supplement to the Policy BriefingESF Scientific Forward Look on Nanomedicine
ESF Science Policy Briefing N°23 (February 2005) - Forward Look Report NanomedicineFostering international cooperation between scientists in Europe - the role of research councils
NWO-ESF Conference, Amsterdam November 2004 - Conference ReportESF statement on the Green paper on Europe's Space Policy
ESF Science Policy Briefing N°22 (July 2003)Open Access: Restoring Scientific communication to its rightful owners
ESF Science Policy Briefing N°21 (April 2003)Science Communication in Europe
ESF Science Policy Briefing N°20 (March 2003)Integrating Marine Science in Europe
ESF Marine Board Position Paper N°5 (November 2002)ESF Scientific Forward Look on Global change research
ESF Science Policy Briefing N°19 (September 2002) - Forward Look Report Global ChangeHuman stem cell research : Scientific uncertainties and ethical dilemmas (second edition)
ESF Science Policy Briefing N°18 (August 2002)Agents for change : Bringing industry and academia together to develop career opportunities for young researchers
ESF Science Policy Briefing N°17 (July 2002)Towards a new paradigm for education, training, and career paths in the natural sciences
ESF Science Policy Briefing N°16 (July 2002)Marine Biotechnology
A European Strategy for Marine Biotechnology Position paper N°4 (December 2001)
ESF provides the scientific, administrative and technical secretariat for COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology).