More than a century ago Louis Pasteur observed that "Science knows no country, because knowledge belongs to humanity, and is the torch which illuminates the world." His remark has all the more resonance today with the increasing globa- sation of science, technology, and commerce. But it also underlines an important truth: that science has always advanced most rapidly when it is a collective endeavour, with a strong circulation of knowledge. When it comes to forging cooperation in research, Europe has an impressive track record. This year, the European Union's Framework Programme for Research...