Paper long abstract:

While the European Union has developed into a significant research funding actor through its Framework Programs and Structural Funds, there is a clear divide still between research systems in North West Europe and research systems in CEEC and Mediterranean Countries. In all European countries a need for transition is felt, but the kind of transition is rather different as well as the perspective on science and its societal role. Drawing on experiences in science policy in the Netherlands, Lithuania and Hungary, I will contrast the situations through an assessment of the role the concept of "excellent science" has in the respective research systems. In the Netherlands and other rich and mature research systems, the notion of excellent is becoming a focus issue for debates on perverse effects within funding and academic career systems. In CEEC "excellence" is key to the hope and efforts of research organisations and scientists to link up with global dynamics of science. Excellence science then is not an individual performance but reflects the societal needs of countries for a healthy research system. The paper ends with a reflection upon the possibilities of a science policy studies that acknowledges the situations in CEEC.