Achilleas Mitsos, the former European Union director general for research who became general secretary for research in his home country Greece, resigned on 30th December, saying he was unable to deliver the reforms he had promised.

His resignation followed disputes with the deputy minister for education George Panaretos. Heated arguments were apparently centred on mechanisms for peer-review to select projects for funding.

Mitsos took office a year ago with a mandate to redesign the structure of research in Greece. He intended to design a new law which would create an independent granting agency, co-ordinate research across ministries and introduce evaluation at all levels, involving foreign reviewers.

Continual hostilities with Panaretos, however, led to delays both in the law and in distribution of research money. Although European Union structural funds have been allocated to supporting research in Greece, no serious money was transferred to scientists during the whole year.

The government remains committed to the EU standards of research governance that Mitsos supported, though. Greek scientists hope his successor, currently being sought, will be able to find a way of working with Panaretos to break through the impasse.