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1. Unless specified otherwise in Part Two, joint undertakings shall seek independent scientific advice by means of:

(a) a scientific advisory body to be set up by the joint undertaking in accordance with the relevant provisions set out in Part Two, and subject to the provisions in this Article; or (b) ad hoc requests for independent expertise by the governing board to the joint undertaking on specific questions.

2. There shall be a balanced representation of experts among the members of the scientific advisory body, within the scope of the activities of the joint undertaking, including with respect to gender and geographical balance. Collectively, the members of the scientific advisory body shall have the necessary competences and expertise covering the technical domain in order to make science-based recommendations to the joint undertaking, taking into account the climate, environmental and socioeconomic impact of such recommendations and the objectives of the joint undertaking.

3. The members of the scientific advisory body, as well as invited observers, shall be subject to the obligation of professional secrecy which, by virtue of the Treaties and the rules implementing them, applies to all members of the institutions and their staff, as well as to the Commission’s rules on security regarding the protection of sensitive non-classified and Union classified information, laid down in Commission Decisions (EU, Euratom) 2015/443 () and (EU, Euratom) 2015/444 () respectively.

4. The governing board shall establish an open selection process including specific criteria for the composition of the scientific advisory body of the joint undertaking and shall appoint its members. The governing board shall take into consideration the potential candidates proposed by the states’ representatives group.

5. The scientific advisory body shall elect its chair from among its members.

6. The scientific advisory body shall meet at least twice a year and meetings shall be convened by the chairperson. The chairperson may invite other persons to attend its meetings as observers. The scientific advisory body shall adopt its own rules of procedure. The agenda of meetings shall be made publicly available in a timely manner on the website of the respective joint undertaking.

7. The scientific advisory body shall carry out the following tasks:

(a) advise on the scientific priorities to be addressed in the work programmes including on scope of calls for proposals, in line with the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda and the Horizon Europe strategic planning;

(b) advise on the scientific achievements to be described in the annual activity report;

(c) suggest, in view of the progress of the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda and individual actions, corrective measures or re-orientations to the governing board, where necessary;

(d) provide independent advice and scientific analysis on specific issues as requested by the governing board, in particular as regards developments in adjacent sectors or to support the assessment of applications of potential associated members and contributing partners;

(e) where specified in Part Two, evaluate the results from technology and innovation actions that are funded by the joint undertaking and report to the governing board;

(f) where specified in Part Two, participate in sector integration committees specifically set up between European partnerships under Horizon Europe to enable synergies;

(g) carry out any other task, as specified in Part Two.

8. After each meeting of the scientific advisory body, its chairperson shall submit to the governing board a report outlining the body’s and its members’ opinions on the matters discussed during the meeting. To the extent possible, the report shall be made publicly available on the website of the respective joint undertaking.

9. The scientific advisory body may, of its own initiative, advise the governing board to consult it on specific points not covered by the tasks set out in paragraph 7. To the extent possible, the report shall be made publicly available on the website of the respective joint undertaking.

10. The scientific advisory body shall be informed of the reasons in the event that its advice on the work programme and the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda is not followed.