HORIZON BLOG: European R&D policy newsbytes (Archived_02)

Tokyo and Brussels have signed a cooperation deal that they say should pave the way for "in-depth cooperation in research and development" on semiconductors. 

Following a summit on 13 July, the powers agreed to cooperate in a range of areas to secure semiconductor supply lines, just as tensions over the technology between China and the West ratchet up. 

They also agreed to allow mutual access to each other's supercomputers, and to "continue to exchange views for Japan's possible association to Horizon Europe".

UK Research and Innovation and the German Research Foundation (DFG) have inked a new memorandum of understanding to work more closely together. 

It should allow scientists from both countries to more easily submit joint funding proposals. 

According to the DFG, the deal is an "important signal" that the two countries will continue to work closely together despite "difficult" negotiations over the UK's membership of the EU's Horizon Europe research and innovation programme. 

The European Commission has today announced the funding of 41 large-scale clean tech projects through the Innovation Fund worth a total of €3.6 billion. 

The projects are located in 15 different countries and are all due to begin operations before 2030. The EU expects the projects to contribute to reducing the amount of CO2 emissions emitted by 221 million tonnes over their first 10 years. 

The Innovation Fund is financed through the EU’s Emissions Trading System (ETS). This works by setting a cap on the amount of emissions that certain companies produce. Those that produce fewer emissions than the set limit can sell their unused allowance to other companies. The EU is able to use some of that revenue to pump into the Innovation Fund. 

The EIT Climate-KIC has launched a new initiative to support businesses working to tackle rising global temperatures called the Investing for 1.5C. It has been co-launched with founding partners Ship2BVentures and UnaTerra. 

Kirsten Dunlop, CEO of EIT Climate-KIC, said that Investing for 1.5C is about “making a clear statement that we’re ready to shift mindsets and behaviours not only to limit warming, but to create a world where we thrive”. 

“It says that we are willing and able to invest in entrepreneurs who are building the high-impact businesses of the future, reshaping demand for energy and materials.”

The EIT Climate-KIC is a project of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology aimed at supporting innovation that can mitigate the effects of climate change.

A new €100 million investment instrument targeting SMEs working to respond to major health threats has been launched through the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) initiative. 

The funding for the instrument, called HERA Invest, will come from the European Investment Bank, which will provide venture loans covering up to 50% of total project costs. 

It seeks to primarily back companies working on developing medical solutions to pathogens with pandemic or epidemic potential; chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats originating from accidental or deliberate release; and antimicrobial resistance.

The European Commission opened a month-long public consultation on the framework for monitoring and evaluating the EU’s €26.2 billion education and mobility programme, Erasmus+.  

Stakeholders can comment on the framework that sets out indicators to monitor and analysewhether the programme is meeting its objectives until 8 August. 

Leave your feedback here. 

The European Commission has taken the first step in setting its vision for Web 4.0 and virtual worlds in new strategy adopted this week. 

The strategy aims to shape global standards and support skill development, industry and deployment of virtual public services. The strategy includes a proposed public-private partnership on virtual worlds under Horizon Europe to foster R&I in the sector, which, if approved by policymakers, could launch as early as 2025.  

The metaverse is a key part of the puzzle as the EU looks to digital as one of the main drivers of economic growth in the coming years, with the global virtual worlds' market size is estimated to grow from €27 billion in 2022 to over €800 billion by 2030. 

The European Parliament has today adopted the EU Chips Act, including €3.3 billion for research and innovation in the field.

Half of that budget will be allocated from Horizon Europe.  

Among other things, the funding is aimed at enabling the creation of a network of competence centres aimed at addressing the EU's skills shortage and attracting new talent for research, design and production.

The Chips Act is the EU's main tool for securing the supply of chips in a changing geopolitical context. The law is meant to boost production and innovation, and establish emergency measures against shortages.

The European Commission has adopted the 2024 work programme for the European Research Council (ERC).

The plan includes new elements in the assessment of research proposals and candidates’ CVs, and in the evaluation process. 

The new plan also introduces lump sum funding in Advanced Grants and updates the structure of evaluation panels.

The document is available here.

The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) has launched a new prize to award universities, companies and other bodies up to €60,000 help recognise European training in deep tech, an area of innovation based on scientific or engineering breakthroughs. 

Applicants have until 31 October to submit an application, including a video pitch, for the Deep Tech Talent Training Prize. 

"This prize recognizes and praises the exceptional contributions of European organisations, such as universities, training providers, and companies, in tackling the challenges of deep tech training," said Nektarios Tavernarakis, chair of the EIT's governing board.