Horizon Europe is well underway, but the world of European R&D policy goes well beyond the confines of the €95.5 billion R&D programme. EU climate, digital, agriculture and regional policies all have significant research and innovation components. National governments often come up with new R&D policies, decide to fund new research avenues, and set up international cooperation deals. This blog aims to keep you informed on all of that and more.
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You can read the full archive of this blog here.
The European Commission has launched three new research partnerships in advanced materials, textiles and photovoltaics.
Later this year, the Commission will announce the first funding opportunities under the partnerships.
“By uniting research and industry, we accelerate innovation, drive smarter investments, and bridge gaps in Europe’s research and innovation landscape,” said Ekaterina Zaharieva, EU Commissioner for startups, research and innovation.
Read more here.
European and African research organisations say the EU should “strengthen strategic commitments in and through research, innovation and higher education with low- and middle- income countries.
In a statement published this week, 15 research organisations and associations from European and Africa say the EU should increase budgets for research and innovation to fulfill the egenda of its foreign aid scheme, the Global Gateway.
“Research-driven international collaborations provide the foundation for sustainable, prosperous knowledge-based economies and are instrumental in tackling common challenges, including health threats, climate change, and digital transformation,” the statement says.
“In the next [EU multiannual budget], we have an outstanding opportunity to put financial heft behind our commitment to the EU Global Gateway, including its crucial fifth pillar, research and education,” says Jan Palmowski, secretary-general of The Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities.
Read more here.
The European Commission should help strengthen research and technology organisations with additional funding for deep-tech spin-offs, says the European Association of Research and Technology Organisations (EARTO).
“[Research and technology organisations] are instrumental in transforming cutting-edge research into market-ready innovations,” EARTO said in a position paper submitted to the Commission for a public consultation on a new European strategy for start-ups and scale-ups due to be presented later this year.
Read the EARTO statement here.
The EU should have a comprehensive, well-funded FP10, according to an open letter signed by 32 European Academies of sciences, arts and humanities.
Academies say the EU Framework Programme should have a bigger budget, provide simpler funding schemes and better mechanisms to support national research systems.
Read the letter here.
The EU and South Africa have agreed to strengthen cooperation in innovative cancer treatments, nuclear research for civilian use and sustainable development, the European Commission has announced.
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited Cape Town this week together with European Council President António Costa. They attended the eighth EU-South Africa bilateral summit to reaffirm Europe’s commitment the “strategic partnership” between the two parties and boost collaboration in various fields, including scientific research.
Von der Leyen announced the start of negotiations on a new trade and investment deal with South Africa, worth €4.7 billion.
Read more here.
Universities are backing broader efforts to strengthen links between EU funding programmes, but disagree with plans to integrate the next Framework Programme for research and innovation, FP10, into a broader Competitiveness Fund, according to a statement by the European University Association (EUA).
EUA says that such a move poses risks that could undermine the core mission of the Framework Programme and welcomed the Warsaw Declaration signed this week, a diplomatic effort by all member states to safeguard a standalone FP10.
“EUA urges the European Commission to maintain FP10 as a stand-alone programme, ensuring it continues to serve as a catalyst for scientific excellence, knowledge, innovation, and long-term societal progress,” EUA said.
Read the full EUA statement here.
Two recipients of European Research Council (ERC) grants have received the Wold Prize, one of the most prestigious international science awards.
Moty Heiblum, a three times ERC grantee, works on mesoscopic physics and is one of the winners of the Wolf Prize in Physics. The Wolf prize in agriculture went to the ERC grantee Jonathan Jones for his research on plant immune systems.
The prize has been awarded in Israel since 1978 to scientists and artists for "achievements in the interest of mankind and friendly relations among people ... irrespective of nationality, race, colour, religion, sex or political views."
Read more here.
The EU should commit to a strong health research strategy in the next Framework Programme for research and innovation, says The Guild of European Research-Intensive Universities.
The Guild says the EU should supplement national funding in basic early-stage research and too through FP10. “To keep innovating at a global level, the entire research continuum, starting with fundamental research, must be supported as a matter of priority,” said Jan Palmowski, secretary general of The Guild.
Read the statement here.
EU officials travelled to Seoul last week, prefacing an imminent agreement on Korea’s participation in Horizon Europe.
Representatives of the European Commission’s directorate general for research and innovation and the Korean ministry of science discussed plans to deepen bilateral research and innovation cooperation.
More details here.
The European Innovation Council (EIC) has picked the nine finalists for its annual competition for women innovators.
The finalists competed in three categories:
- Women Innovators: open to founders and co-founders across the EU and associated countries. The winner will receive €100,000, and two runners-up will receive €70,000 and €50,000, respectively.
- Rising Innovators: for promising young innovators under the age of 35. The winner will receive €50,000, and two runners-up will receive €30,000 and €20,000, respectively.
- EIT Women Leadership: For exceptional members of the EIT community. The winner will receive €50,000, and two runners-up will receive €30,000 and €20,000, respectively.
The winners will be revealed at the EIC summit on 3 April.
More information about the finalists is available here.
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