Merit should be criterion in funding
«We should ensure that research is subsidized and that the funding mechanisms take merit into account,» emphasized Trichopoulos. Referring to the considerable presence of Greek researchers in the international field, notwithstanding the obstacles often put in their path, he suggested that evaluations should be made «blind» by researchers outside Greece. “Unfortunately Greek society is a small world, where personal feelings and conflicts often influence funding.» «Personally, I am against the mass subsidization of large foundations,» he said. «Because talent is spread out among the body of Greek researchers, everyone should be given a chance to produce work. In any case, no Nobel Prize is likely to be going to Greece, so we might as well support researchers around the country with smaller amounts to cover a wider field, but under strict criteria of merit, in order to enable scientists to take their first steps toward international funding and international systems.»
