European research policy chief replaced in reshuffle

Robert-Jan Smits was one of the most powerful people in EU R&D and instrumental in the development of the massive Horizon 2020 science programme. The European commission’s director-general of research and innovation Robert-Jan Smits is leaving the post after eight years. Smits has led the research directorate-general since 2010, but has worked there since 1989 in various policy roles. He oversaw a huge increase in Europe’s research budget from €55 billion (£49 billion) to nearly €80 billion. He also designed the Horizon 2020 programme, as well as working on its successor FP9, which will run from 2021 to 2027.