international research first quarter...
TRANSCRIPT
EU-Iran cooperationCommissioner Moedas went to Tehran where he met with Mohammed Javad Zarif, Iranian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ali Larijani, Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, and several members of the Iranian Government This high level visit launched the basis for increased cooperation with Iran in science and research.
IN THIS ISSUE
> Empowering the EU-CELAC Common Research Area
> ERC advocates cutting-edge research in Davos
> Destination Europe in Boston
> Second JSTCC meeting in Algerial
> First calls launched under the co-funding scheme between Japan Science and Technology Agency and the European Commission
And much more…
For full speech please visit: http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-16-548_en.htm
Issue 64
INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH First quarter 2016
... I also want to make sure
researchers in Europe can
collaborate with their counterparts
in other regions of the world without
administrative or financial barriers.
Carlos Moedas
Dear Reader,This is the last issue of the International Research Newsletter.
You can continue to check all news and events via the international cooperation website.
You can also follow us on Twitter @InnovationUnion and @EU_H2020 and on Facebook.
Best regards,
The Editors
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ERC advocates cutting-edge researchin Davos
Against a backdrop of snow-clad mountains, political and business leaders, renowned researches and scholars, and civil society figures from around the world gathered in Davos from 20 to 23 January to discuss pressing global issues. This year, the summit of the World Economic Forum had the overarching theme of «the fourth industrial revolution», but other topics, such as the refugee crisis, were also on the agenda. The ERC took part in the summit for the fourth time, to discuss the need for excellent blue sky research and how this brings about innovation, as well as to showcase the latest advances in science. Thirteen ERC grantees, including Nobel laureates Sir Christopher Pissarides and Sir Konstantin Novoselov, shared their insights in sixteen sessions. The ERC also held an IdeasLab session with four grantees who inspired the audience with the topic «the future of computing». Amongst the leaders in attendance were European Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation Carlos Moedas and ERC President Professor Jean-Pierre Bourguignon who underlined Europe’s efforts to attract the best brains. In the ERC press conference on «Europe, a magnet for talent», they spoke alongside ERC starting grantee Hélène Rey. Named «the economist to watch in 2016» by the magazine the Economist, she is a shining example of brain gain for Europe. She returned to Europe from the University of Princeton mainly thanks to her ERC grant. She also received several attractive offers from other top universities in the US. The summit once again provided a first-rate platform for interacting with influential personalities beyond the ERC’s typical counterparts, a chance to speak to the world press and to convey the message that blue sky research is not an option, but an imperative.
Photo: (l-r) ERC starting grantee Hélène Rey; Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation, Carlos Moedas and ERC President Professor Jean-Pierre Bourguignon at the World Economic Forum in Davos
FOR MORE INFORMATIONMadeleine Drielsma – [email protected] - ERCEA A2
Read the News Alert or watch the ERC press conference
Second JSTCC meeting in Algeria
The EU and Algeria have had a Science and Technology (S&T) cooperation agreement since 2012. Its implementation is overseen by a Joint S&T Coordination Committee (JSTCC). The 2nd JSTCC meeting took place on 8 March 2016 in Algeria. The meeting was co-chaired by Ali Mokrani, Ministry of Foreign affairs and Maria Cristina Russo, Director for International Cooperation at the Directorate-Generale for Research and Innovation. The JSTCC meeting was organised back to back with the 5th sub-committee meeting addressing research and innovation cooperation under the EU-Algeria association agreement. During the meeting, both parties exchanged views on recent policy development as well as R&I cooperation priorities. Existing cooperation instruments and projects, as well as regional policy dialogue platforms with the EU in which Algeria is playing a role were also presented during the meetings. These include the HLPD with Africa, which is supported by a H2020 Project (RINEA) in addition to cooperation in the EU-MED context supported by an ongoing policy support platform (MEDSPRING), and another H2020 funded platform that will start in April. In the margin of these meetings, the European Commission and Algerian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research organised an information session on 9 March 2016. The main purpose of the event was to raise awareness of the Algerian research and innovation community EU about EU R&I programmes. The event was opened by Ali Mokrani and Maria Cristina Russo. During the event, the EU presented research and innovation funding and collaboration opportunities under the EU new framework programme for funding research and innovation, H2020, where Algeria successfully participated in 2 new projects under the programme. During the event, Ms. Russo highlighted the important role Algeria plays in multiple bi-regional platforms including the EU-Africa and EUROMED.
Photo: EU-Algeria Joint S&T Coordination Committee (JSTCC)
FOR MORE INFORMATIONHeba Gaber - [email protected] - EU Delegation to Egypt or
Christopher Gauci - [email protected] - DG RTD C
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Empowering the EU-CELAC Common Research Area
"We have put Research and Innovation on the EU-CELAC map; now let's make the Common Research Area a destination of choice for researchers, innovators and politicians" said Cristina Russo, Director for International Cooperation at DG Research and Innovation.
Based on long-standing links in science and technology between the EU and the CELAC countries, the fifth Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) on Science and Technology of the EU-CELAC Joint Initiative on Research and Innovation launched the Common Research Area .
The meeting of the Senior Officials took place in Brussels, on March 14 and was chaired by Cristina Russo and co-chaired by Plácido F Gómez Ramírez, Vice Minister for Science and Technology, Dominican Republic, representing the CELAC Presidency.
Photo: (l-r) Plácido F Gómez Ramírez, Cristina Russo and Jean-Pierre Bourguignon at
the EU-CELAC meeting
The event was very successful in gathering high level audience and a high number of participation from both EU Member States and CELAC countries. The opening session provided a clear signal on the political importance and visibility of research and innovation in the overall EU-CELAC Partnership. It was attended by the Chair of the EP delegation to the Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly, MEP Ramón Jàuregui Atondo, the EEAS deputy Director for Americas, Roland Schaefer, the Director for Latin America and the Caribbean in DG DEVCO Jolita Butkeviciene, and the Director for Excellence in Science from CNECT Thiery. Van der Pyl and Professor Bourguignon, President of the ERC.
Senior officials agreed to step-in cooperation and commit to deepen strategic partnership in research and innovation focusing on three key pillars: mobility of researchers, access to research infrastructures and strengthened thematic cooperation to jointly address global challenges.
Finally, jointly addressing common challenges requires opening up of national programmes and coordinating EU and CELAC research agendas, as well as increased synergies with instruments of external cooperation. The senior officials identified cooperation area of Climate Change and Environment as a flagship initiative, including in the field of sustainable urbanisation, acknowledging the importance of linking policy making with research and innovation actions, reflected also in the forthcoming mobilization of EU funds to support synergies in the area of Knowledge Management for Climate Services.
It was agreed that participation in multilateral initiatives of global relevance is key for tackling global challenges, such as for instance the role of GloPID-R in rapidly responding to the ZIKA virus outbreak, mirrored in the European Commission ad hoc call for proposals published on 15 March 2016.
To translate the strong political will and commitment towards a Common Research Area into palpable results, the CELAC Presidency announced a high level Senior Officials Meeting on Science and Technology to take place back-to-back to the EU-CELAC Foreign Affairs Ministerial Meeting in the Autumn 2016 in the Dominican Republic.
FOR MORE INFORMATIONMina Stareva – [email protected] – DG RTD C
Upcoming events
Israel Water Association Annual Conference: EU water and energy Initiatives in the region23 May 2016, Tel Aviv, Israel
A workshop devoted to EU water and energy initiatives in the region. The workshop will focus on both Horizon 2020 and the European Neighbourhood Instrument programmes.
Click here for more information.
H2020 Calls update
Topic: EU Cooperation and International Dialogues in Cybersecurity and Privacy Research and InnovationDS-05-2016Closing date: 25-08-2016 - 17:00 (Brussels local time)
For more information on this call and other calls click here
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Selection of Israeli students to represent Israel at European Union Contest for Young Scientists
On 15 March, the closing ceremony and announcement of the winners of 2016 Israel Young Scientists and Developers Competition was held at the Knesset (Parliament) in Jerusalem. This annual contest, which takes place close to the date of Albert Einstein’s birthday, is based on projects designed, developed and researched by outstanding high school students from all over the country and from all sectors of Israeli society. Five of the winners will represent Israel at the European Union Contest for Young Scientists which will take place in Brussels in September 2016. The subjects of the winners’ projects were the connection between our biological clock and moral decision making, a simple inexpensive easy to use hearing aid, and a «combo infusion» system that automates the process of providing consecutive medication to patients.
Photo: Head of Delegation Lars Faaborg-Andersen with the young Israeli scientists who will be competing in the EUCYS in September in Brussels.
FOR MORE INFORMATIONAlexandra Meir – [email protected] – EU Delegation in Israel
EU-Egypt Innovation Day brings together stakeholders
The European Commission and the Egyptian Ministry of Scientific Research organized an «EU-Egypt Innovation Day» on 8 February, 2016 in Cairo. Ms Cristina Russo, Director for International Cooperation at the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation of the European Commission, H.E Ambassador James Moran, Head of the EU Delegation to Egypt, and Dr. Essam Khames, Deputy Minister of Scientific Research opened the event. The Innovation Day brought together around 300 stakeholders from academic institutions, researchers and representatives of industry, financial institutions, NGOs and government as well as innovators, entrepreneurs and start-ups. The Innovation Day included «Research and Innovation cafes», where EU MS – including Spain, France, UK, Germany, Austria, and Czech Republic - presented their research and innovation programmes that enable cooperation between European and Egyptian organizations. Alongside the event, the EC also organised a roundtable with key research and innovation stakeholders. The roundtable aimed at enhancing current EU-Egypt R&I cooperation by bringing together key stakeholders under a single forum to initiate dialogue around current challenges and opportunities of EU-Egypt cooperation. Ms Cristina Russo said: «Egypt is an important EU partner not only in the Mediterranean. Its strategic role goes beyond the Mediterranean further to the Middle East and Africa». She added: «we are glad to note the very good track record of Egypt`s participation in the EU Research and Innovation programmes, including in our current programme Horizon 2020. Egyp’s prominent role in bi-regional EU–Mediterranean initiatives in research and innovation and science diplomacy is commendable».
Photo: C. Russo addressing the audience at the EU-Egypt Innovation Day Opening Session
FOR MORE INFORMATIONHeba Gaber - [email protected] - EU Delegation to Egypt
Horizon 2020 guide for Indian users
An updated version of a comprehensive brochure on Horizon 2020, intended for Indian researchers, has just been published on the website of the EU Delegation to India This brochure is a practical guide for Indian users, packed with detailed concrete explanations and numerous links to additional information sources. The brochure does not exclusively relate to Horizon 2020 but also describes other collaboration opportunities open to Indian researchers, such as Inno Indigo and other ERA-Nets or JPIs.
FOR MORE INFORMATIONDenis Dambois - [email protected] - EU Delegation to India
or visit http://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/india/
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ERC in Washington
For the ninth year, the European Research Council participated in the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).
ERC President, Jean-Pierre Bourguignon, and the Head of the ERC Scientific Department, Jose Labastida, attended this year’s conference which took place in Washington DC with the theme “Global Science Engagement”.
On this occasion, the ERC President met with the EU Ambassador, Mr O’Sullivan and gave a talk on the topic «US-EU Science Outlook and the ERC perspective» to EU Science Counsellors of various Washington based Embassies of EU countries. ERC President Prof. Bourguignon and Dr Labastida also exchanged thoughts on fostering international research collaboration with the NIH and NSF.
President Bourguignon, as well as Antonio di Giulio from DG RTD, took part in a round table with heads of research councils at the Canadian Embassy, with the Governor General of Canada, David Johnston, and the Canadian Research Minister, Kirsty Duncan, in attendance. Organised by the Canada Foundation for Innovation and Universities Canada, the debate explored practical opportunities to increase cooperation between the funding organisations to tackle pressing global challenges such as the Zika virus.
The AAAS conference also included the participation of ERC grantees Professors Martin Jinek, Wolfgang Lutz and Ron Naaman, who discussed their inspiring research. The ERC was also part of the Destination Europe exhibition stand to attract potential applicants and spread the word about the various EU funding opportunities.
Photo: ERC President Jean-Pierre Bourguignon and the EU Ambassador, Mr O’Sullivan, shaking hands
FOR MORE INFORMATIONJames Gavigan - [email protected] - EU Delegation to the US or
Samantha Christey – [email protected] - ERCEA
Destination Europe: Boston 2016
The Destination Europe event in Boston on 5 February welcomed some 220 participants despite the snow. Participants were mainly from Harvard, MIT, Northeastern University, and Massachusetts General Hospital, as well as a number of other research institutions in the Boston area. About 26% of participants were American, 54% European Union and 21% ‘other’. Overall, there were participants from 37 countries. They ranged from PhD students to graduate students and professors in the US who wanted to learn more about research opportunities in Europe. The event also attracted a record number of Member States/Associated countries who wanted to present the opportunities they have to offer. Italy participated for the first time, in addition to Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Ireland, Spain, Czech Republic and France. They presented the opportunities and support that they offer to researchers interested in pursuing part of their career in Europe. H2020 ERC, MSCA and Euraxess were also presented. All were very happy with the event and the exposure it offered them – in a European context. Albert Quintana, a Spanish researcher returning to Europe with an ERC grant after seven years in the US says: «I really enjoyed being part of Destination Europe and interacting with such a wide array of researchers and European funding agencies. It was a unique opportunity to learn about the ongoing innovation and funding programs in Europe. I believe that Destination Europe offers the opportunity to listen and talk to EU-funded researchers and learn about EU funding programs such as the ERC, and their specificities,… encouraging non-EU researchers to apply.» Dan Andree, the Chair of SFIC made the Welcoming remarks and Prof. J-P Bourguignon, President of the ERC made the closing remarks – stressing that Europe is ‘Open to the World’. Once again the exhibition area was extremely popular with experts available to answer the detailed questions of the individual participants. Albert Quintana stated «The participants at the event are also to be seen as multipliers. They can return to their universities and research organizations and spread a positive message about opportunities in Europe.» This was the 11th Destination Europe conference in the US and the 5th to take place in Boston, back to back with the MIT European Career Fair.
Photo: Speakers at the Conference
FOR MORE INFORMATIONMary Kavanagh - [email protected] - DG RTD C
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Meeting to engage efforts in the Zika Virus OutbreakOn 26 January, the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Celso Pansera called for a meeting with the Brazilian experts for facing the Zika Virus outbreak with a restricted number of high level scientists and a representative of the EU Delegation to Brazil. Among others well-known scientists, the meeting was attended by the Ambassador João Cravinho, the Science Counsellor Piero Venturi and the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation of Brazil, Celso Pansera. The major objective of the meeting was to discuss the present situation of the Zika outbreak, the possible solutions and the Brazilian participation to the Call on Zika Virus and Microcephaly. The importance of the Horizon 2020 Call on Zika and Microcephaly was highlighted: It will be funded with 10 Million Euros to finance proposals, which opened on 15 March with the project(s) which will already start in June. The Olympics in Rio de Janeiro is a world level event which could be in danger. The government is seriously worried about the repercussions of the outbreak on the Olympic games. The Minister prioritised four research topics to be implemented: virus; vectors; a social program for the contaminated family; and a research platform for optimising the results of the results (with the Ministry of Health in charge). The Ministry of STI is making an effort to elaborate a strategy to contain the virus spread and the Ministry of Health is facing the spread in a front line (also including the use of the Army). It revealed an obvious lack of articulation in order to objectify ways towards a solution. Research groups from all around the country must interact not only with the ‘academic’ but also the ‘civil society’.
Photo: Since May 2015, Zika virus disease – an emerging viral disease transmitted by Aedes mosquito bites - has been spreading in the Americas and the Caribbean
FOR MORE INFORMATIONPiero Venturi - [email protected] - EU Delegation to Brazil
or visit http://ec.europa.eu/health/zika/
Brokerage Event: EU-Brazil Coordinated Call on Advanced Lignocellulosic Biofuels
On 9 March, a workshop was held to present the EU-Brazil coordinated call on Advanced Lignocellulosic Biofuels. This is the European follow up of a singular event held in Sao Paulo in December 2015. The event aimed at exploiting the synergies between Brazil and Europe in terms of scientific knowledge and resources related to advanced biofuels by implementing coordinated projects. The purpose of the call is to promote the advancement of technologies capable of producing, in large scale, biofuels made from lignocellulosic biomass represented mainly by plant fractions that do not serve as human food, such as cellulose and lignin. The call will be opened on 11 May, while the 8 September is the deadline for submission of tenders. The proposals will focus on three subchallenges: gasification of bagasse to syngas and advanced liquid fuel production, including biofuels for aviation; applied research into biomass production logistics and applied research for feedstock diversification for advanced biofuels; and development of new fermentation and separation technologies for advanced liquid biofuels and applied research to increase the energy efficiency of advanced biofuel processes. The meeting was coordinated by RTD’s Directorate for International Cooperation in collaboration with Directorate Energy. The Brazilian Delegation was lead by a representative of the ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation and by CONFAP (Confederation of Brazilian State Foundations) and joined around 15 Brazilian experts of the different sectors of the call. The event had such a demand that it was web streamed through the link: https://scic.ec.europa.eu/streaming/conference-on-h2020-coordinated-calls-on-biofuels-eu-brazil (still active). All presentations of the experts. are available on-line.
Photo: Opening of the EU-Brazil workshop on coordinated call on biofuels
FOR MORE INFORMATIONPiero Venturi - [email protected] - EU Delegation to Brazil
or find the text of the call H2020-LCE-22-2016 here
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Commission Presence at Open Science Events in Tokyo
Two open science events took place in Tokyo over the past month. On 29 February, the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) held a Data Sharing Symposium; and on 1-3 March the 7th Plenary Meeting of the Research Data Alliance took place. This was the first time that an RDA plenary has been held in Asia. The Commission was represented at both events by Jean-Claude BURGELMAN (Head of Unit, A6 – Data, Open Access and Foresight, DG RTD), and at the Opening of the RDA Plenary via videolink by Michael Hager (Head of Commissioner Oettinger’s Cabinet). They were joined by many researchers, data managers, and administrators from Europe who were there to participate in the technical expert working groups of the RDA. The JST event provided an opportunity to learn of efforts towards open science in Japan (Yuko HARAYAMA - Executive Member of the Council for Science, Technology and Innovation (CSTI), the USA (Jim KUROSE – NSF), and Europe (Jean-Claude Burgelman). Burgelman recalled the EU’s 2014 consultation on Science 2.0, the conclusions drawn and the actions taken and planned by the European Commission. In particular he outlined the «Open Innovation, Open Science, Open to the World» initiative of Commissioner Moedas. Carthage Smith from the OECD’s Global Science Forum outlined the policy challenges stressing the need for technical solutions and policy action. Other speakers, mostly from Japan, addressed some of the issues such as costs, need for data skills and careers, talked of data sharing frameworks, data preservation, as well as how open science will shape fields such as the life sciences and materials. The RDA event began with welcome remarks from the RDA and Japanese dignitaries from the Cabinet Office, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports Science and Technology (MEXT) and JST. It was here that Michael Hager delivered his video address. The subsequent Panel Discussion, Towards a Global Internet of Data in the Open Science Era, saw Burgelman present the European Open Science Cloud. This presentation shaped much of the subsequent panel discussion where Burgelman was joined by other experts, including Barend Mons from the European Open Science Cloud High Level Group. A number of speakers observed the rapid progress Japan has made towards developing an agenda on open science which until two years ago was non-existent. In large part the subsequent embrace of open science is due to the 5th EU-Japan Science Policy Forum, held in October 2014, where Robert-Jan Smits, Yuko Harayama, and other high level stakeholders, discussed the topic of Science 2.0. Now, as Dr Harayama noted during her talk, it is important for Japan to promote the initiative so that Japan’s research community is not at a disadvantage vis-à-vis international peers who are already operating within the new open science model.
FOR MORE INFORMATION7th RDA Plenary
https://rd-alliance.org/plenary-meetings/rda-seventh-plenary-meeting.html
First calls launched under the co-funding scheme between Japan Science and Technology Agency and the European Commission
Further to the positive interaction between the European Commission (EC) and Japan’s Science and Technology Agency (JST) over the past year, the 3rd EU-Japan Joint S&T Committee meeting in May 2015 endorsed a co-funding scheme developed by JST in close cooperation with the EC. This scheme has the intention to support EU-Japan collaboration in research and innovation, and to provide funding to successful Japanese participants in open calls for proposals in Horizon 2020.
The co-funding scheme is initially applied to the following two call topics in Horizon 2020, Work Programme 2016-17, which opened in October 2015 (Deadline: first stage - 8 December 2015; second stage - 24 May 2016):
• NMBP-02-2016: Advanced Materials for Power Electronics based on wide bandgap semiconductor devices technology; • NMBP-03-2016: Innovative and sustainable materials solutions for the substitution of critical raw materials in the electronic power system.
In these topics, Japanese participants may apply for funding from JST. JST will carry out its own evaluation of Japanese applicants prior to that on the EC side. For information about the selection and evaluation procedure on the side of JST, click here.
The EC-JST co-funding scheme is one of the support schemes put in place by EU international partner countries to enable a stronger and more balanced collaboration between their universities, research institutes and enterprises with European ones under Horizon 2020. Within the Horizon 2020 Work Programme for 2016-17, 23 topics specifically encourage cooperation with Japan.
More information on the JST-EC co-funding scheme:• JST call (in Japanese),• Horizon 2020 topics targeting Japan,• EU-Japan Research and Innovation Cooperation.
More information on support available for participation in Horizon 2020 from other international partners of the EU: Australia, China, Canada, Mexico, Republic of Korea, Russia, Hong Kong, Taiwan.
FOR MORE INFORMATIONAnne Haglund Morrissey – [email protected] - DG RTD C
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Joint call published by the European Interest Group CONCERT-Japan
A joint call on the theme of «Food crops and Biomass production technologies» has just been published by the European Interest Group (EIG) CONCERT-Japan, with a deadline on 28 April 2016. The European Interest Group (EIG) CONCERT-Japan is the successful continuation of the ERA-NET CONCERT-Japan project funded by the 7th EU Framework Programme for Research and Technical Development (FP7) from 2011 to 2014. It is an international joint initiative to support and enhance science, technology and innovation (STI) cooperation between European countries and Japan.
The primary function of the EIG CONCERT-Japan is to collaboratively implement multilateral joint funding with the objective of enhancing the cooperation between European countries and Japan in various fields of STI. It also aims at facilitating coordination between participating organisations in their activities relating to EU programmes and international collaborative frameworks through the identification of common preferences, priorities and areas of mutual interest.
As an FP7 project, CONCERT-Japan had a high impact on the coherence and coordination of European collaboration and joint funding activities with Japan as a partner country. Several years of experience showed a high relevance and a need for continuation. Therefore, the European Interest Group was founded as a flexible platform for communication and coordination among STI institutions in Europe and Japan. The collaboration which began in the FP7 project is now continuing independently of EU support as an activity of the European Interest Group, hence the name «EIG CONCERT-Japan». As a collaborative funding activity of the EIG CONCERT-Japan (the third of CONCERT-Japan, the first as an EIG activity), the core members representing France, Germany, Spain, Turkey and Japan have decided to implement a Joint Call on the theme of «food crops and biomass production».
For additional information on the EIG and this Joint Call, please visit the EIG CONCERT-Japan website
FOR MORE INFORMATIONAnne Haglund Morrissey – [email protected] - DG RTD C
Reception to mark a New Year of EU-Japan Cooperation in STI
On 21 January the S&T Section of the Delegation of the EU to Japan organised for the fourth time an S&T New Year’s Reception. About 150 high-level guests represented all major stakeholders relevant for STI in Japan: Government Ministries, the Diet, funding agencies, national laboratories, academia, Japanese and European research institutions and industry conducting R&D in Japan. The reception was also attended by representatives of the S&T Diplomatic Circle in Japan and EU Member States’ S&T Counsellors.
European Union Ambassador to Japan Viorel Isticioaia-Budura stressed that EU-Japan co-operation in STI had been gaining weight and visibility, giving as examples a successful 3rd Joint Committee Meeting in Brussels in March 2015, the establishment of the EU-Japan strategic partnership in STI and the endorsement of a «Joint Vision» on a new strategic partnership in Research and Innovation, by the EU and Japan leaders, during the 23rd EU-Japan Summit in Tokyo in May 2015. The Ambassador highlighted also discussions on possibilities of collaboration with Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development, the launching of the JST co-funding scheme for Japanese researchers to join in Horizon 2020 projects in two selected topics in WP 2016-17, an implementing arrangement between the European Commission and the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), which will allow JSPS fellows to spend time with ERC Principal Investigators in Europe, starting from April 2016, a very successful 6th EU-Japan Science Policy Forum in Kyoto in October and European participation in Science Agora 2015 in November.
Mr. Sadayuki Tsuchiya, Vice-Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology focused in his address on further strengthening EU-Japan cooperation in STI, recognising two important milestones: start of the JST co-funding scheme and the signing, in his presence, of the IA for ERC-JSPS cooperation. The Vice-Minister also stressed a very successful collaboration with the EU on STI policy. Finally, he recalled that in 2016 Japan will host the G7 Summit and a number of Ministerial meetings, in particular the S&T Ministerial Meeting, chaired by Yuko Shimajiri, Minister of State. Dr Shigeharu Kato, Executive Director of RIKEN national laboratory, who proposed the official toast, spoke about developments in RIKEN, in particular the discovery of element 113 by its researchers, and expressed the wish for stronger cooperation with Europe.
FOR MORE INFORMATIONLeonidas Karapiperis - [email protected]
Tom Kuczynski - [email protected] and
Lee Woolgar - [email protected] - EU Delegation to Japan
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EU-Japan Symposium on 5G: From Challenges to StandardisationThe EU Delegation to Japan and the Embassy of France organised a two day event on 8 and 10 February addressing the fifth generation (5G) mobile communication systems. The event, co-sponsored by Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), the 5G Infrastructure Association (5G PPP) and the 5G Mobile Forum (5GMF), brought together over 30 expert speakers and well over 200 attendees. Bernard Barani, Deputy Head of the Network Technologies Unit in DG CNECT represented the European Commission. In 2015 the EU-Japan 5G Joint Declaration was signed by Commissioner Oettinger (DG CNECT) and Minister Takaichi (MIC) to strengthen cooperation towards a definition of 5G, work together towards common standards, identify the appropriate radio frequency bands, and cooperate on future applications and eco-systems. 5G PPP and 5GMF also signed a Memorandum of Understanding agreeing to collaborate in road mapping and developing the next generation of mobile communications. Mobile phones are no longer used to only call or text people, but also to access internet, watch videos or play games resulting in a higher volume of data on mobile networks. This trend is set to continue and the Internet of Things will bring devices from other «vertical» sectors online, such as automobiles, health and energy, further increasing strains on existing networks. Furthermore, increased traffic and different types of connections will arise, placing emphasis not only on the speed with which data can be transmitted, but also reducing the latency between connections, and increasing energy efficiency. At the event, presentations on the policy initiatives, research roadmaps and strategies for 5G in Europe and Japan were made. Research being undertaken on radio access and network technologies was introduced. Examples of EU-Japan cooperative projects in 5G research were presented, with representatives from the MIWEBA, RAPID, and GreenICN projects giving updates on their progress. Later this year, further new Horizon 2020 projects on 5G will be launched based on the coordinated calls between DG CNECT and MIC. The audience heard about the initiatives that are in play towards standardisation, as well as the implementation of field tests and demonstrations. In their closing remarks, Dr Walter Mohr (Nokia) and Dr Kohei SATOH, (5GMF) noted that the technical approach between Europe and Japan is similar, but that there are some differences of approach towards «verticals» which could be complimentary. They observed that the availability of appropriate frequency bands is a key issue, and there can be a sharing of experiences between Europe and Japan. Further questions relate to which bands could be used for deployment, and when to start such deployments. They also noted that EU-Japan cooperation could forge consensus towards standards and roadmaps. Dialogue and collaboration towards WRC-19 and technology demonstrations will be very helpful to both sides.
FOR MORE INFORMATIONLeonidas Karapiperis - [email protected] or Lee Woolgar
[email protected] - EU Delegation to Japan
EU-Japan R&I collaboration in aeronautics - passing the baton to 4 new projects
On 12 April, representatives of industry and academia from the EU and Japan (ONERA, Dassault, MTA SZTAKI, Unmanned Solutions, University of Exeter, JAXA, University of Tokyo, Ricoh, ENRI and Mitsubishi Space Software) met at the Tokyo University to kick-off the VISION project, one of the 4 new joint EU-Japan projects in aeronautics, that resulted from the Mobility for Growth 2015 call ‘International cooperation in aeronautics with Japan’. The VISION project tackles issues related to flight control technologies for enhanced safety and will involve, among others, the development of adaptive control, in-flight self-learning systems and interfaces for pilot assistance, especially at emergency situations. Tom Kuczynski from the Delegation S&T Section delivered a message. The other 3 projects are: FUCAM, coordinated by Airbus Group, that aims to develop conceptual cabin design for short and medium range aircrafts operating in the Asian market after 2025 (kicked-off in Munich in February), SHEFAE2, coordinated by Rolls Royce, that aims to develop and demonstrate lighter integrated heat exchanger systems for the turbofan engine (started in Derby in March), and EFFICOMP, coordinated by Airbus Group, objectives of which are to propose R&D activity to reduce cost and increase ramp up production of composite parts for structural application on aerospace products (kicked-off in Paris in April). It was already the second call in aeronautics coordinated with the Japanese Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry (METI). All 3 projects, which had resulted from the first coordinated call in 2011 under FP7 (HIKARI, on technology roadmap for future high speed air transport, SHEFAE, on heat exchangers, and JEDI-ACE), have been already completed. The final meeting of JEDI-ACE project, on developing new de-icing coatings for aircrafts, the ice sensor system for real-time measurements of ice accretion and an integrated ice protection system de-icing, took place in Yokohama, Japan on 14-15 March. JEDI-ACE intends to present its results at the International Airshow in Berlin in June. The Head of the Delegation’s S&T Section Leo Karapiperis, joined the meeting where he delivered a message of congratulations and thanked METI for its support. METI representative also expressed their appreciation of the ongoing EU-Japan cooperation in the area of aeronautics. Next to ICT and critical raw materials, aeronautics is one of the three priority areas of R&I collaboration between the EU and Japan. This collaboration is currently supported by SUNJET2, a CSA coordinated by Airbus Group Innovations working closely with The Society of Japanese Aerospace Companies, in order to identify mutually beneficial areas for collaboration.
FOR MORE INFORMATIONLeonidas Karapiperis - [email protected]
Tom Kuczynski - [email protected]
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Serving and Strengthening Science – the European Science Foundation (ESF) meets EU Science Counsellors in Beijing
On 15 March the EU Delegation Beijing hosted a presentation and discussion between representatives of the European Science Foundation and the EU Member State Science Counsellors as well as representatives of European Research Funding and Promoting Institutions based in Beijing. Dr Jean-Claude Worms, Chief Executive Officer of the European Science Foundation and his colleagues introduced the new structure, mission and vision of ESF in view of becoming a major science services provider to main decision-makers and science stakeholders in Europe and world-wide. China as important partner country for Europe in research and innovation would be a significant stakeholder to explore further cooperation with ESF.
FOR MORE INFORMATIONLaurent Bochereau - [email protected] - EU Delegation in China
Opening of a Centre of Excellence on Nuclear Security in BeijingOn 17 and 18 March the EU Delegation in Beijing represented the Joint Research Centre (JRC) at a Symposium on Capacity Building for Nuclear Security which took place at the occasion of the inauguration of a new Centre of Excellence on Nuclear Security in Beijing. Ensuring nuclear security and promoting non-proliferation is a task requiring international collaboration. Within the Euratom programme, the JRC provides technical and scientific support to EU policies in nuclear safety, security and radiation protection, and carries out education, training and information activities in the field. The Symposium was co-organised between the Chinese Atomic Energy Authority (CAEA), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the US Department of Energy. During the series of rich presentation by international nuclear security experts, the activities of JRC and in particular its European Nuclear Security Training Centre (EUSECTRA) located at the JRC Institute for Transuranium Elements in Karlsruhe were presented. The festive inauguration of the Centre of Excellence on Nuclear Security, which is now the world’s largest of its kind, presented a milestone for nuclear capacity building in Asia and offers excellent opportunities for closer collaboration between the JRC and other European stakeholders with China in this critical field. Under the EU China Agreement on R&D for Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy (R&D PUNE) a subcommittee on nuclear security and safeguards is committed to find ways for profound cooperation between JRC and the CAEA through the Centre of Excellence.
FOR MORE INFORMATIONSaid Abousahl - [email protected] - Joint Research Centre or
Alexandra Lehmann - [email protected] - EU Delegation in China
Two Indo-European Joint Calls for proposals are now open for applicationsWithin the framework of the INDIGO Partnership Programme, two Indo-European Joint Calls for proposals are now open for applications : an Innovation call on bioeconomy and a S&T Call on biobased energy.
Innovation Call on Bioeconomy
Deadline: 31 August 2016
The following projects can be funded under the Innovation Call: Indo-European projects designed to lead to innovative products, services or processes of significant economic and/or societal value.Joint innovation projects shall also address applied research and technological development implemented in partnership between innovative SMEs and research performing institutions based in India and Europe.
Who can apply? Consortia have to involve at least three partners: two from two different European countries participating in the Innovation call (France, Germany, Norway, Spain) and one from India. The participation of SMEs, industries and clusters is strongly recommended. Partners from countries other than those participating in the IPP Innovation Call can join a consortium but have to secure their own funding.
S&T Call on Biobased energy
Deadline: 12 July 2016
Topics covered by the S&T Call:• Biofuels• From waste to energy
The following projects can be funded:Indo-European excellent research projects with a maximum duration of 3 years will be funded.
Who can apply?Consortia have to involve at least three partners: two from two different European countries participating in the call (Belgium - Wallonia region, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia) and one from India. Partners from countries other than those participating in the IPP S&T Call can join a consortium but have to secure their own funding.
FOR MORE INFORMATIONFlorent Bernard - [email protected] - DG RTD C
or Lucie Durocher - [email protected]
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HORIZON 2020 - publicationA European research and innovation roadmap for climate services
The ambition of this report edveloped by the H2020 expert group on climate services is to offer a framework for discussion to the relevant actors and to the stakeholders. It paves the way to shared solutions and pathways facilitating the development of a market for climate services that provides benefits to society. The report offers an essential contribution to achieving the EU objectives of an Energy Union with a forward looking climate policy.
To download click here
China-EU Workshop on Water & Air – Challenges and Opportunities
The EU Delegation to China, the Chinese Ministry for Environment Protection and the Chinese Research Academy for the Environmental Sciences (CRAES) jointly organized the «China-EU Workshop on Water & Air – Challenges and Opportunities» that was held in Beijing on 14 and 15 March. This workshop, conducted in presence of representatives of the EU DG Environment and the JRC, and their counterparts of China’s Ministry of Environmental Protection, provided a great opportunity for policy makers, scientists and stakeholders to engage in a dialogue about their experience on how to deal with the joint global challenges of air and water pollution. Both European and Chinese experts were presenting key challenges and solutions from the edge of research, with the focus areas being legislative frameworks, effective implementation, monitoring and remediation of pollution, policy harmonisation and enforcement. Following the presentations, there was ample room for lively discussions between the participants, to further the mutual understanding between China and the EU in view of common priorities, and to level the ground for future cooperation.
FOR MORE INFORMATIONLaurent Bochereau
or Vicky Pollard - [email protected]
EU Delegation to China
Dissemination event for PDSF study on researcher mobility
In 40 years, the EU and China relations have matured into a comprehensive and strategic partnership under which research and innovation represents a key pillar. To further develop this partnership, EU China mobility of researchers is crucial for building better innovation systems and developing new knowledge, enhancing bilateral scientific and technological cooperation, developing careers of individual researchers and developing skills of people behind research and innovation. Funded by the Policy Dialogue Support Facility a joint study conducted by a team of European and Chinese experts examined the current situation of researchers’ mobility between EU and China, analyzed factors influencing the mobility choice and pattern, identified challenges for mobility and suggested solutions that can be taken up by policy makers to improve the mobility and to balance the flow of researchers between both sides. A dissemination event on 26 January 2016 presented the preliminary results of the study and triggered a dynamic debate on how to better define and promote mobility.
FOR MORE INFORMATIONLaurent Bochereau
EU Delegation to China
Promotion of Horizon 2020 and the Chinese Co-funding Mechanism in Shanghai
On 25 and 26 February EU China research and innovation cooperation through Horizon 2020 and the MOST Co-funding Mechanism (CFM) was promoted in Shanghai: one of China’s most important R&D hubs and the country’s future no. 1 technological innovation centre. A Horizon 2020 information seminar at Shanghai Jiaotong University attracted around 60 researchers, heads of departments and faculty who, following the presentations, engaged in lively discussions and Q&A expressing great interest in Horizon 2020 and CFM. Meetings with the Vice President of Shanghai Jiaotong University, the Shanghai Municipal S&T Commission but also European Member State and European industry representatives confirmed the importance of strengthened and balanced EU China collaboration through the available funding mechanisms on both sides.
Photo: Info Session at Shanghai Jiaotong University
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Round table «Image of the Russian Science in the World»On 8 February, the Russian News Agency TASS hosted a round table under the heading of «Image of the Russian Science in the World», which the EU Delegation to Russia and several foreign embassies attended.
Invited to the event were Russian and foreign journalists, university representatives, members of the academic community and representatives of government authorities.
The need for further internationalisation of Russian science and improvement of its image abroad was recognised by all speakers. A new joint project of the TASS News Agency, Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, the National Research University Higher School of Economics and Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech) was announced in this context.
It is planned to launch «Russian Scientists Newsfeed» in English, which would provide coverage of news related to the achievements of Russian Scientists and would distribute the information to an international audience.
Launch ceremony of French Tech Hub MoscowOn 25 January, the EU Delegation to Russia took part in the official launch ceremony of French Tech Hub Moscow. The event was held at the premises of the Skolkovo Innovation Centre in the presence of Emmanuel Macron, France’s Minister for the Economy, Industry and Digital Affairs.
The launch ceremony was attended by French and Russian entrepreneurs, start-ups, SMEs, large companies and media. The creation of French Tech Hub Moscow is part of the French Tech initiative that was established by the French Government in late 2013 to unite the key actors working towards French start-ups’ growth and to increase the attractiveness of France for foreign investments. The French Tech Hub in Moscow is the third in the world after New York and Tokyo.
First ‘Helmholtz-Wintergespräche’ held in MoscowThe EU Delegation to Russia took part in the first in what is planned to become an annual series of events ‘Helmholtz Winter Dialogues’ (‘Helmholtz-Wintergespräche’) held on 9 February in Moscow.
The purpose of the event was to bring together key scientists and research policy makers from Germany and Russia to discuss ways to further develop & strengthen bilateral scientific
research cooperation. Among participants of this year’s event were representatives of several leading Russian research institutes, research-funding foundations and government agencies (e.g. Aide to the Russian President Andrey A. Fursenko, Deputy Minister of Education & Science Lyudmila M. Ogorodova, Director of the Russian Science Foundation Alexander V. Khlunov, Chairman of the Russian Foundation for Basic Research Acad. Vladislav Panchenko).
The German delegation included the new President of the Helmholtz Association Prof.Dr. Otmar Wiestler, Dr. Edelgard Bulmahn, Vice-President of the German Bundestag, representatives of the German Federal Ministry of Education & Science and German research institutes. Welcoming speeches were made by the German Ambassador to Russia, Rüdiger Freiherr von Fritsch, followed by Deputy Minister Lyudmila M. Ogorodova and the EU Ambassador to Russia Vygaudas Ušackas. The keynote speech was delivered by Prof. Dr. Otmar Wiestler. The subsequent podium discussion was devoted to latest developments in and potential for cooperation in biomedical research.
The discussion showed clear interest in a more active and deeper cooperation between Germany and Russia in this area.
Third Sentinel satellite carried into orbit on a Rockot launcher
The third Sentinel satellite developed by the European Space Agency was successfully launched on 16 February on a Russian Rockot launcher from Plesetsk, Russia. The satellite is a part of the Copernicus environment programme.
The launch was initially planned for October 2015 and was several times postponed. The Sentinel-3 carries a series of cutting-edge sensors to provide data for monitoring the environment and supporting civil security activities. Over oceans, it will measure the temperature, colour and height of the sea surface as well as the thickness of sea ice. Over land, this innovative mission will monitor wildfires, map the way land is used, check vegetation health and measure the height of rivers and lakes.
It is reported that two more launches of Sentinel satellites using the Rockot launcher are planned for 2016.
FOR MORE INFORMATIONRichard Burger - [email protected] - EU Delegation to Russia
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EU-Africa cooperation in Researchand Innovation
Roots to Empowerment
On 6 January 2016 the International Centre for development oriented Research in Agriculture (ICRA) published a 40 minutes education film focusing on the Public-Private Partnership set-up between the 2SCALE project, Nigerian Breweries/Heineken and Psaltry, a Nigerian company making starch from cassava roots. The film is an example of inclusive business set-up, and public and private work going hand in hand for the benefit and empowerment of thousands of farmers and other local business actors.
Kwame Nkrumah Scientific Awards
The Kwame Nkrumah continental awards for 2015 were presented by European Commission Vice-President Kristalina Georgieva during the opening of the 26th African Union Heads of State and Government Summit in Addis Ababa, on 30 January 2016. The 2015 laureates are Professor Tebello Nyokong of Rhodes University, South Africa, and Professor Umezuruike Linus Opara from Nigeria, based at Stellenbosch University, South Africa. The former was honoured with the «Basic Science, Technology and Innovation Award» for her work in the field of nanoscience, and the latter received the «Life and Earth Sciences Award» for his work in agricultural engineering. The EU has sponsored the prestigious Kwame Nkrumah Scientific Awards since 2009. Under this initiative, awards are given to top African scientists at national, regional and continental levels. The EU’s support for the Kwame Nkrumah Scientific Awards is part of the EU-Africa collaboration in Science, Technology & Innovation (STI), under the Human Development component of the Joint Africa-EU Strategy (JAES).
Calls for submission of proposals
Ebola and other filoviral haemorrhagic fevers (Ebola+) programme: future outbreaks The call was published on 18 December 2015 and will remain open for a period of two years with the following cut-off dates for submission of proposals: 15 September 2016, 16 March 2017, 14 September 2017, 15 March 2018.
FOR MORE INFORMATION (ALL PAGE)Nienke Buisman - [email protected] - DG RTD C
Kick off Meeting for ESASTAP 2020
The kick-off meeting of the ESASTAP 2020 project took place on 25-26 February 2016, in Cape Town in South Africa. The meeting effectively launched the activities of the latest incarnation of a project series which has been supporting R&I cooperation between the EU and South Africa since 2005. The project running until 2019, aims at advancing further the EU-SA bilateral STI cooperation, building on the work and results of three preceding actions and responding to the needs and recommendations at the policy dialogue level, in particular to the mandate of the JSTCC and to the adopted Roadmap for cooperation between South Africa and the European Union. In previous years the ESASTAP project series (ESASTAP, ESASTAP-2 and ESASTAP+) has successfully provided support to the bilateral dialogue. ESASTAP 2020 aims at advancing further the EU-SA bilateral STI cooperation, building on the work and results of three preceding actions.The project has the following four objectives: • Enhance the R&I cooperation under the main programmes and
thematic areas of common interest• Enrich and facilitate the policy dialogue• Foster Innovation partnerships• Promote greater coordination and synergyThe ESASTAP project series has been instrumental in enhancing the success of the SA-EU science, technology and innovation cooperation. The work of the three generations of ESASTAP projects has been commended by the JSTCC and by other relevant EU and national SA actors with which the bilateral platform established close synergies over time. On the first day of the meeting, ESASTAP 2020 also hosted its first workshop entitled "ESASTAP 2020 workshop on Science for Policy Advice". The workshop took place on the occasion of the "Global Network of Science Academies-Inter Academy Partnership (IAP) conference on Science Advice and General Assembly 2016" which was held on 28 February to 2 March 2016 in Hermanus, Cape Town hosted by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf).
Photo: Participants to the ESASTAP 2020 Kick-off meeting
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International Dengue Conference in Colombo (Sri Lanka) This conference held on 26-28 February was the final dissemination event of the DengueTools FP7 project. The aim of the project was to develop monitoring strategies for Dengue fever, to have better diagnosis and new methods to combat the spread of the disease. Dengue is a major public health problem affecting more than half of the World's population living in tropical and subtropical regions. It is estimated that there are 390 million apparent dengue infections each year. Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes of the Aedes spp. The incidence of dengue has grown dramatically around the World in recent decades due to the consequences of irrationally fast urbanisation, climate change and modern lifestyle. There is presently no commercialised vaccine. The Zika virus, which is responsible for the current emerging epidemic, is similar to the one causing Dengue, and it is transmitted by the same mosquito vectors. Some of the findings for combating Dengue fever could also be used to fight the Zika virus which were discussed during the satellite meetings. His Excellency the President of Sri Lanka, Maithripala Sirena was present in the opening session, has well as several Ministers (Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine, Local Government and Provincial Councils) and the Pakistani Chief Minister of Punjab. This is a sign that controlling Dengue is one of their political priorities. There were about 400 participants (mainly from Sri Lanka and South East Asia countries such as Pakistan, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and South Korea). Other FP7 projects also participated in the conference: IDAMS and DENFREE. The Epidemiological Unit of the Ministry of Health Sri Lanka, organiser of the conference and participant in the project, is coordinating the national Dengue control programme that includes eight other Ministries. The EU has contributed considerably to the Dengue research capacity of the country through the FP7 project, as the laboratory-based sentinel surveillance system will remain enhancing the disease control and obtaining more accurate data on the disease burden.
Photo: International conference on Dengue and Dengue haemoragic fever 2016 - with the participation of the President of Sri Lanka, Maithripala Sirena
FOR MORE INFORMATIONInmaculada Penas Jimenez - [email protected] - RTD Dir E
«ERC – Open to the World»: breathing new life into a global vision
10 March marked Jean-Pierre Bourguignon’s first visit to the African continent in his role as President of the ERC to give a speech in the global gathering of the Next Einstein Forum - an event to boost African research. On this occasion, the ERC launched a new social-media campaign: «ERC – Open to the World». Internationality has always been at the heart of top science. Researchers are the first to travel and collaborate with teams all over the world. Cooperation grows, often unofficially, through common work, advice, communication. This spontaneous effort needs to be nurtured, and the ERC has always acknowledged that this is also part of its role. The ERC wishes to break down barriers preventing researchers from working in different countries and even continents. As part of its mission, it aims to attract bright minds from all over the World to Europe, and this also means travelling to other continents to reach as many top scientists, scholars and policymakers as possible. The new slogan is very much in line with the ERC’s international effort and is also in harmony with Commissioner Moedas’s «Three Os». «ERC – Open to the World» follows the former international awareness raising campaign from 2012, «ERC goes Global», and will use different media to do just this: inform, not only in Europe, but all over the globe, that the opportunities offered by the ERC are for researchers of every nationality and scientific background. The ERC offers grants that allow researchers to perform top science in any EU or Associated Country, and encourages scientific exchange of brilliant minds through several agreements (known as implementing arrangements). So far, the ERC has funded around 6400 projects run by researchers of 66 different nationalities. This includes over 400 non-European researchers, of which the biggest groups are nationals of the US, Canada, Russia, Australia, India and Japan, most of which were already in Europe when they applied for the grant. What’s more, 17% percent of the ERC team members, i.e. post-docs, PhD students, master students and technicians, are of non-European nationality. The ERC’s agreements already concluded with seven countries - the US, South Korea, Argentina, Japan, China, South Africa and Mexico - focus on allowing non-European scientists from these places to come and work in an ERC team for short to medium periods of time. Such collaborations give rise to lasting ties and to win-win situations, contributing to brain circulation says Prof. Bourguignon, as more countries line of to sign such agreements.
FOR MORE INFORMATIONSamantha Christey, [email protected];
Madeleine Drielsma, [email protected]
and Carla Palmieri, [email protected] - ERCEA Communication Unit
or Follow «ERC – Open to the World» twitter campaign: #ERCworld
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SPI organizes the official launch event of the new H2020 Project INCOBRA on EU-Brazil STI Cooperation
Sociedade Portuguesa de Inovação (SPI) has successfully organized on 18 March the event Innovation Horizons for European Union and Brazil – Opportunities and Challenges for Investment and Funding, which was held in the University of Porto Rectory Auditorium in Oporto, Portugal. The event represented the official launch of the H2020 Project INCOBRA, which aims to stimulate increased cooperation between research and innovation actors from the EU and Brazil, to support the identification and implementation of targeted international cooperation activities and to contribute to eliminating remaining obstacles to bilateral cooperation at this level. INCOBRA Project consortium is composed of a total of 13 partners from both sides of the Atlantic. The event provided concrete information on the innovation ecosystem of Brazil, Portugal and the EU, also identifying the latest information on upcoming funding and investment opportunities for research and innovation cooperation between Brazil and the EU. The event showcased specific examples of actions that might contribute to further focus, increase and enhance bilateral collaboration between Brazilian and European research and innovation actors. The event counted with the participation of a high level speakers panel and had more than 80 participants, represented by a wide array of stakeholders from Europe and Brazil, including research organizations, universities, industrial companies, funding agencies and public bodies, among others. Taking advantage of the experience and know-how of the panel, the event allowed all the participants to be more acquainted with the current state of the art of the EU-Brazil cooperation on Science, Technology and Innovation and with the upcoming activities of INCOBRA, also representing the kick off activity for mobilizing and engaging the participants in further research and innovation cooperation initiatives with Brazil.
Photo: official launch event of the new H2020 Project INCOBRA on EU-Brazil STI Cooperation
FOR MORE INFORMATIONRossella Paino - [email protected] - RTD C
[email protected] or download the presentations here
NetBiome-CSA has strengthened biodiversity partnerships and international research cooperation
Biodiversity is inherently valuable and plays a critical role in providing ecosystem services that all life on Earth (including ours) depends upon. The loss of species and habitat diversity is the greatest threat to the resilience of the planet and to the future of humanity itself. Harbouring over 80% of the known species diversity, and many unique ecosystems, Outermost Regions (ORs) and Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) are a vital asset for Europe. However, there are significant challenges in nurturing and managing this biodiversity. In fact, the EU overseas entities receive a disproportionately small fraction of the investment for biodiversity research and contain limited expertise within their borders. The NetBiome network has been working over the last ten years to correct this imbalance. As an ERA-Net it has funded a number of research projects thereby strengthening links between scientists and addressing societal needs in EU Overseas entities. As part of the CSA project it has enlarged the network, both geographically and in scope by mobilising a wide range of biodiversity stakeholders – civil society, knowledge institutions, companies and governments. It has also produced two major results that will guide and support the network actions in the future: (1) a strategic document presenting key policy recommendations to tackle common challenges in biodiversity research and management, and several research priorities to support these recommendations; (2) a Biodiversity Management Toolbox, which is an online information and communication platform with a repository of documents (on good practices for biodiversity management and on ecosystem valuation) and a forum bringing together a growing number of biodiversity stakeholders on Europe’s ORs and OCTs. These key outputs and the future of the NetBiome network were discussed at the 2nd NetBiome-CSA International Conference held at the European Parliament last April 6.
Photo: NetBiome-CSA partners and Advisory Board members at the 2nd NetBiome-CSA International Conference
FOR MORE INFORMATIONSofia Cordeiro - [email protected]
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CONTACT US!EDITORS
LUCIANA DA SILVA SANTOS [email protected] + 32 2 295 6944
VALÉRIE DIERCKX [email protected] + 32 2 298 7748
INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION DIRECTORATEDirectorate-General for Research and InnovationEuropean Commission
FOR ONLINE VERSION KINDLY VISIThttp://ec.europa.eu/research/iscp/index.cfm
© European Union, 2016ISSN 2315-358X
FOLLOW US ALSO ON
40th anniversary of the opening of the EU diplomatic representation in Ottawa and 20th Anniversary of the EU-Canada S&T Agreement
Canada is one of the EU’s oldest and closest partners with diplomatic relations starting formally in 1976. Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau underscored in early 2016 the strong partnership between Canada and the European Union and affirmed the desire to further strengthen the relationship.
2016 indeed marks the 40th anniversary of the European Union in Canada – four decades since the opening of its diplomatic representation in Ottawa, and of the 1976 Framework Agreement for commercial and economic cooperation between the European Communities and Canada. The 1976 Framework Agreement, the first of its kind between the European Union and an industrialised country, enabled the European Union and Canada to turn their purely economic relationship into a solid Strategic Partnership.
Today, the European Union and Canada work closely together on global challenges, such as climate change, energy security and regional stability throughout the world. Canada also participates in EU election observation missions and EU civilian and military operations. The European Union is Canada’s second largest trading and investment partner, an economic partnership that will become even stronger once the Comprehensive Trade and Economic Agreement (CETA) comes into force.
This jubilee year comes at a time of enriched relations between the European Union and Canada, symbolized by the new Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) and CETA. To underscore this anniversary year, a series of commemorative activities throughout 2016 will be organized, including conferences, cultural activities, sporting events and online photo/drawing contests.
2016 also represents a milestone for Science and Technology relations between the EU and Canada. An Agreement for Scientific and Technological Cooperation has been in place since 1996 and is not limited in time. The responsibility for the S&T cooperation dialogue lies with the EU–Canada Joint Science and Technology Cooperation Committee (JSTCC). The JSTCC meets on a regular basis to review progress and provides new directions for cooperation in the fields of science and technology. The next meeting is scheduled to take place in June 2016 in Brussels and a 20 years anniversary celebration of the EU-Canada S&T cooperation is planned. During the 20 years of cooperation between Canada and Europe in the field of science and technology many partnerships have been forged at academic, private and public levels. As a result Canadians participate actively in the European Union’s Framework Program and Europeans participate in Canadian research programs.
Today the main areas of cooperation with Canada are Marine and Arctic research, health, Aeronautics and ICT. Aeronautics has even become a best practice for a coordinated call under the first years
of Horizon 2020. The exchange of researchers between Canada and the EU has been an enormous success. Only in the last Framework Programme nearly 500 Canadian researchers have benefited from funding through Marie Curie Actions (2007-2014).
The mutual advantages of strong Canada-EU science, technology and innovation partnerships are evident. Many EU priority areas for research overlap with those of Canada and cooperation is in particular strong when both sides address jointly today’s global societal challenges. Working collaboratively enables researchers to interact with the world’s best minds and organisations thus avoiding duplication of effort and enabling the benefits and risks to be shared.
Photo: EU-Canada cooperation illustrated by
ERA-CAN Plus
FOR MORE INFORMATIONWolfgang Wittke - [email protected] -
DG RTD C or Luigi Scarpa De Masellis -
EU Delegation to Canada
Check the video from the ERA-CAN Plus project
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