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Science is about to get back into Washington’s good books – and not before time, says Science|Business’s Nuala Moran.

The Wellcome Trust is reaching outside the UK to fund translational research and derisk projects for future investors.

The European Commission’s Directorate-General for Education and Culture has issued a call for tenders for the design and testing of a global ranking system for universities.

The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia has ratified the European Patent Convention and, on 1 January, became a member of the European Patent Organisation (EPO).

After a late start, Spain’s entrepreneurial culture has taken root. It remains modest compared to other major European countries, but the credit crisis does not yet seem to have stifled innovation.

ETH Zurich is celebrating a record year for spin-offs, creating 23 companies in 2008. Six companies were established in computer science and six in communication technologies and services; four in bio-technology/pharmaceuticals; four in electrical and electronics engineering; two in medical devices, and one in micro- and nanotechnology.

The Norwegian Government is weighing a Euro 300M rescue package for the biotech industry as part of a national financial rescue package it is due to announce by the end of January.

Graham Spittle, Vice President Software for UK, Ireland and South Africa with IBM, has been re-appointed as Chair of the UK Technology Strategy Board (TSB), for a further three years.

Plans to build a pan-European market for research have won powerful backing from national governments.