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The National Science Centre in Poland says that annual reports for research projects and post-doctoral fellowships must be submitted by agreed dates.
However, the funder promises leniency for those affected by coronavirus.
In addition, the Centre recommends that scientists reconsider any trips to research labs outside of the country.
Vinnova, Sweden’s innovation agency, has said it will not let coronavirus affect its core activities.
“Our calls for proposals and decisions on funding of research and innovation proceeds as usual,” the agency says on its website.
Most of Vinnova's employees will work from home until further notice, however, with the majority of agency meetings moving online.
The European Commission issued guidelines to airlines “to ensure EU passenger rights are applied in a consistent manner across the EU.” It said if an airline cancels a flight, it “must reimburse or re-route the passengers.” If the passengers cancel their own journeys, then reimbursement depends on the ticket type, and airlines may issue vouchers.
Zhang Xinmin, head of the China National Center for Biotechnology Development said in a press conference that the antiviral drug Favipiravir was proven very effective in clinical studies conducted on 200 patients. "In view of the safety, obvious efficacy and availability of the drug, researchers have officially recommended favipiravir to medical teams and suggested it be included in the treatment plan as soon as possible," he said.
A total of €30 million has been allocated by the Spanish government to research projects on coronavirus, with €24 million going to the Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII). The institute will develop an urgent aid programme for projects that aim to generate knowledge about the infection. The National Center for Biotechnology at the Spanish National Research Council will get €4.5 million to study the new coronavirus and work on the development of vaccines.
US vaccine company Moderna has announced the first participant has been dosed in NIH-led Phase 1 Study using their COVID19 vaccine candidate.
This Phase 1 study will provide important data on the safety and immunogenicity of mRNA-1273. Immunogenicity means the ability of the vaccine to induce an immune response in participants. The open-label trial is expected to enroll 45 healthy adult volunteers ages 18 to 55 years over approximately six weeks.
The European Commission has offered of up to €80 million in financial support to the German biotech CureVac AG. “I hope that with this support we can have a vaccine on the market perhaps before autumn," said EU commission president Ursula von der Leyen. "This could save lives in Europe and in the rest of the world," she said.
Most staff at the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) is now working remotely until further notice. "We are working hard to ensure our organisation remains fully operational and delivers full business continuity during this exceptional period," the EIT said in a statement.
EIT staff are barred from business travel, events or meetings, while visits to the EIT Headquarters in Budapest and the EIT Liaison Office are postponed or cancelled.
"We aim to not disturb the EIT's core activities though certain non-critical activities may need to be re-prioritised," the statement said.
A team of medical research and bioethics at the Oxford University has provided European governments, including the UK, with evidence to support the feasibility of developing a contact tracing mobile app that is instant, could be widely deployed, and should be implemented with appropriate ethical considerations. The team recommends that the mobile application should form part of an integrated coronavirus control strategy that identifies infected people and their recent person-to-person contacts using digital technology.
The European Commission has announced it will extend deadlines for Erasmus+ strategic partnerships and for the Erasmus charter for higher education.
The commission recommends authorities in member states to invoke force majeure clauses that would enable them to postpone planned activities in the EU’s exchange programme Erasmus+ and to increase costs incurred by the outbreak. Many participants are unable to travel to other countries, while others are unable to return home from host institutions abroad.
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