A European RD4SD Platform – an ad hoc study Paul M. Weaver ICIS, University of Maastricht, NL 1. Introduction A recommendation of the VISION RD4SD project is to develop activities for building and strengthening European RD4SD capacities on a continuing basis and for developing a consistent reference framework for the practice of RD4SD. An initial sketch of the key targets and orientations for a capacity-building facility or process has been developed. Discussions within the VISION RD4SD project and supporting research make clear that the integrating, interfacing and transformative aspects of RD4SD pose challenges for researchers and that gaps (quantitative and qualitative) exist in existing scientific capacities to fulfil these functions efficiently and effectively. Capacity-building and community strengthening activities are needed; however, the organisational form for these activities is still to be decided. A European Competence Centre for RD4SD was initially proposed. Latest project thinking has raised suggestions of a European RD4SD Platform. A targeted outcome of the VISION RD4SD project is a plan that specifies the details of an initiative for building and strengthening RD4SD capacities. The purpose of this ad hoc study is to provide information relevant to further specifying this idea, establishing its viability, and determining how to carry it forward. The study: sets out the need and the idea as these are seen currently (section 2); outlines the general science policy context within which any such facility or process for capacity building would have to be placed and made operational (section 3); indicates which communities, networks, centres, platforms and resources already exist (section 4); describes the features of existing ‘models’ of competence centres, networks, and platforms in the science and science policy domains and experience with these to date (section 5); and concludes with an initial reflection on the venture and a mapping of potential stakeholders in it (section 6). This is a short (10-day) study. It is intended to contribute information useful to the discussion. The study is therefore indicative, not exhaustive. 2. The identified need and the idea The VISION RD4SD project workshops and discussions so far have made clear that, as a complement to usual forms of disciplinary science, a different kind of science is needed to meet the aims of the Europe 2020 Strategy and to address the grand societal challenges: a science that responds to