Over the past 50 years, ESF has positioned itself as a major actor in supporting research management at an international level. In recent years, its main lines of action have focused on connecting stakeholders and enabling the implementation of science operations, from grant evaluation and research assessment to projects, networks, and programme management, adapting to a rapidly changing research area and meeting new societal needs.

For the next five years (2023 – 2028), ESF aims to develop its activities around four lines of action, designed to amplify the work and impact of research stakeholders across Europe and beyond:

• Research Quality Assessment and Grant Evaluation
• Supporting and Hosting Scientific Structures and Networks
• Management of Co-funded Research Programmes
• Strengthening EU-funded projects

ESF’s strategy includes further development and strengthening of these lines of action, in order to generate a critical mass of activities and bring ESF to become recognised as the not-for-profit European high-quality science management provider by the end of the decade.