Policy profile: a framework for the classification, prioritization and analysis of research for European environmental regulators

The SKEP ERA-NET (Scientific Knowledge for Environmental Protection) is a consortium of European public sector organizations funding environmental research. The network is funded by the European Commission's Sixth Framework Programme (FP6). The aim of the network is to facilitate the improvement of science-into-policy processes and to support evidence-based regulation. This paper contains a description of the categorization and review of current environmental research within the network. It also illustrates how a comparison of current activities combined with perceptions of future needs can provide an analysis of research gaps. The importance of an assessment of relative research costs in such a gap analysis is emphasized. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.