Project description
Exploring knowledge paradigms and the market for ideas in research
The research community has set out to change our lives with new approaches that revolutionise the way we interact with the world. In carrying out their work, researchers have a huge pool of prior knowledge from which to draw, providing them with a basis on which to model their efforts. In addition, the so-called market for ideas informs a researcher’s decision regarding topic choice, its marketability and funding prospects. The EU-funded KnowEvoIAndIdeasMkt project will create a model based on prior knowledge and the market for ideas to allow the prediction of researchers’ choices and determine the evolution of knowledge over time. The model will help derive key answers as to the way research should be approached.
Objective
"The Evolution of Knowledge shapes our policy choices. Researchers decide what to research, with whom to collaborate, and how much to invest into discovery. While researchers enjoy institutionalized or implicit scientific freedom, two categories govern the researcher's decision which question to address and how much effort to exert: (i) prior knowledge and (ii) the market for ideas.
Prior knowledge is vital to determine how knowledge evolves. Researchers stand on the shoulders of giants and use conjectures derived from previous discoveries when they address problems. They assess their ex ante prospects on finding an answer by looking at related findings.
However, researchers also operate in the market for ideas. Careers depend on how marketable an idea is, how well researchers exploit synergies and complementarities with collaborators, what topics range high on the policy agenda, and what funding opportunities the researcher can access. In sum, how much effort the researcher invests depends crucially on the market for ideas.
Our work combines these two aspects and proposes a flexible model to predict the researcher's choice and determine the evolution of knowledge over time. The model is set up with the data in mind to be able to derive meaningful counterfactuals. We can derive implications for designing the market for ideas, e.g. through adapting the funding architecture.
We address questions such as: When should funding focus on cost reductions (e.g. grants), when on rewards (e.g. prizes)? When should we push for ""moonshot discoveries"" when for incremental research? Should researchers collaborate with experts on similar topics reducing coordination efforts, or with more distant ones exploiting complementarities? Should we let researchers compete on the same topic increasing the probability of finding a solution, or should we urge researchers to differentiate, increasing the number of questions covered?
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-GF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - Global Fellowships
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2021-PF-01
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
28903 Getafe (Madrid)
Spain
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.