Live Blog Entries

Commission greenlights €300M French aid to boost small modular reactors

The Commission approved a €300 million French State aid measure to support Nuward, a subsidiary of Electricité de France's (EDF), in developing innovative small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs).

The aid will be provided as a direct grant to cover Nuward's R&D plans until early 2027, focusing on designing, testing, and preparing safety demonstrations for SMRs.

“This project will contribute to the decarbonisation of energy systems and to the EU’s open strategic autonomy, while limiting possible distortions of competition,” said Margrethe Vestager, executive vice-president in charge of competition policy.

Read the full announcement here.

Research infrastructures need more funding under FP10, says ERIC Forum

The European Research Infrastructure Consortia (ERIC) Forum, the umbrella group that brings together major research infrastructures, is calling for an increase in funding for ERICs in FP10, the EU’s next Framework Programme for Research and Innovation.

In a position paper released recently, the ERIC Forum, which represents 28 organisations, say that increased economic support for Europe’s research infrastructures is crucial to ensure the success of FP10.

“It is essential for the EC [European Commission] to engage in dialogue with MS [member states] to support for enhanced budgets under structural funds where applicable, recognising the broadened scope and increased value ERICs now offer in alignment with EU objectives,” reads the document.

The position paper also has recommendations on consolidation, structural support, governance, innovation, and researchers’ access to ERIC services.

“For researchers to fully benefit from the ERIC services now available to them, funding for access to and usage of these services (including physical, remote and virtual user access) at the European level should be continuously available,” the paper says .

Read ERIC Forum’s position paper here.

EIT celebrates 40,000 girls in STEM thanks to Horizon Europe

The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) announced today that Girls Go Circular, a Horizon Europe-funded project, has reached its goal of training 40,000 girls in STEM three years ahead of schedule.

The programme was launched in 2020 as part of the European Commission's Digital Education Action Plan 2021-2027 to empower girls in Europe's innovation landscape and address gender disparity in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

Today, April 25th, marks also the 2024 edition of International Girls in Information Communication and Technology (ICT) Day, which draws attention to the critical need for more girls and women in the ICT sector.

"The Girls Go Circular project was launched with a clear goal: to show young girls and women that Europe’s innovation landscape is incomplete without their ideas, their passion and their visions. Funded under Horizon Europe, our research and innovation programme, the European Institute of Innovation and Technology and its community have a key role to play in closing the gender gap in research and innovation, said EU research commissioner Iliana Ivanova.

“I look forward to seeing these girls and young women shape the future of Europe."

More details here.

EU and Türkiye to boost cooperation in green and digital technologies

The European Union and Türkiye reaffirmed their commitment to intensifying cooperation in green and digital transition and greater integration in the European Research Area, including EU missions and partnerships under Horizon Europe.

EU research commissioner Iliana Ivanova and Mehmet Fatih Kacır, minister of industry and technology of the Republic of Türkiye, met today in Istanbul for the second High-Level Dialogue on science, research, technology, and innovation.

They announced that three Turkish innovation programmes will participate in the European Innovation Council (EIC) Plug-in scheme. Also, a Community Hub of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) will be established in Türkiye by the end of 2024.

“Close cooperation in research and innovation with like-minded partners is a key priority for the European Union. This is why our high-level dialogue was a milestone. We discussed how to deepen our already very successful cooperation even further,” said Ivanova. “Together, we can succeed in the green and digital transitions quicker.”

More details here.

Scandinavian EIT Health network sets up shared data space to boost research

Today, EIT Health Scandinavia launched the EIT Health Biobanks and Health Data Registries platform, a centralised digital hub that aims to connect EU researchers, clinicians, and industry professionals with European biobanks and health data registries to share information and advance medical research.

“With the EIT Health Biobanks and Health Data Registries Portal, not just connecting data; we are connecting minds, fostering collaboration, and propelling healthcare innovation forward,” said Annika Szabo Portela, EIT Health Scandinavia managing director.

Last month, the European Parliament and the Council of the EU reached a deal on the European Health Data Space (EHDS), legislation designed to allow EU citizens access to their health records wherever in Europe and to choose whether or not to allow their anonymised data to be shared for secondary use in research and public health.

Read EIT Health Scandinavia full announcement here.

EU should integrate funding for dual use research in existing programmes, academies say

ALLEA, the European Federation of Academies of Sciences and Humanities representing more than 50 academies from 40 EU and non-EU countries, released today its feedback on the Commission's white paper on options for enhancing support for dual-use technologies in FP10.

According to the paper, creating a new funding instrument dedicated to research projects with potential dual use applications will add to existing administrative burden in EU funding programmes. ALLEA says dual use research projects should be integrated in existing funding schemes.

"Potential future applications are often uncertain at the start of research projects, and a decision at the outset that a project proposal entails a potential dual-use application will be extremely difficult, if not impossible, in many cases,” the paper says.

“The artificial division of research projects based on speculative outcomes is expected to create challenges similar to those already experienced when researchers are asked to categorise their project as basic or applied research before work has even started.”

Read the full ALLEA paper here.

Reshuffle ahead in the Commission’s research directorate-general after top bureaucrat retires

Peter Dröll, a director in charge of ‘prosperity’ in the European Commission’s directorate-general for research and innovation has announced on Tuesday that he will retire from the Commission on 1st of May.

Maria Cristina Russo, the current director for international cooperation will take over Dröll’s position.

Deputy director-general Signe Ratso is said to take over Russo's former directorate.

Read Dröll's announcement here. Read Russo's announcement here.

Commission allocates €112M in grants for research in AI and quantum research

The European Commission has today launched calls for proposals worth €112 million, under the Horizon Europe 2023-2024 Digital, Industrial and Space Work Programme.

Over €65 million will be allocated to artificial intelligence, with €50 million dedicated to enhancing AI capabilities and €15 million for transparent AI systems.

Around €40 million will be invested in quantum technologies, including €25 million for a pan-European quantum gravimeter network and €15 million for next-generation quantum projects.

Additionally, €7.5 million will support projects focusing on European values, citizen-centric digital transformation, and global ICT standardization.

Commission opens new calls worth over €1.25B under Horizon Europe

The Commission announced an investment of over €1.25 billion in research calls through the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) in Horizon Europe.

The funding is earmarked to bolster the development of top-tier doctoral and postdoctoral programmes and to facilitate collaborative research and innovation.

According tothe Commission, approximately 10,000 talented researchers from across the globe are expected to benefit from this funding.

“The €1.25 billion in these calls will catalyse cutting-edge research and boost the careers of thousands of brilliant minds, supporting their mobility across countries and disciplines to acquire new knowledge and skills. We need these excellent researchers in Europe to ensure that we remain at the forefront of scientific progress and succeed in tackling the challenges that we face,” said research commissioner Iliana Ivanova.

More details here.

NATO publishes biotech and human enhancement technologies strategy

In mid-April, NATO released the “first international strategy to govern the responsible development and use of biotechnologies and human enhancement technologies” the alliance had adopted in February.

NATO’s goal is to responsibly adopt these innovations, build trust with stakeholders, and defend against misuse by rivals. The strategy released focuses on defensive applications like biosensors for threat detection and health wearables for military personnel, the document reads.

In the next months, expert research on opportunities and challenges linked to biotech-related solutions will start.

Read the strategy here.

European Commission greenlights new EU co-funded antibiotic

The Commission approved on Monday a new EU co-funded Pfizer’s treatment against serious infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, which causes up to 35,000 deaths in the EU every year.

The studies were conducted with the support of the Innovative Medicines Initiative project COMBACTE-CARE.

“This is fantastic news coming from the EU co-funded project COMBACTE-CARE under the Innovative Medicines Initiative public-private partnership. It provides a new tool to fight antibiotic resistant bacteria, an area where any new breakthrough treatment makes a real difference on public health,” says Marc Lemaȋtre, Director-General of the European Commission’s directorate general for research and innovation.

More details here.

Swiss reductions in education and R&I funding raise alarm

As Switzerland lowers funding for R&I, Swiss academics and researchers are concerned that "fewer financial resources available" will shape the quality of teaching and research.

Last month, the Swiss government announced a CHF 29.2 billion ($32 billion) education, research, and innovation budget for 2025-2028 - a backdrop of CHF 500 million compared to an earlier budget proposed.

"Taking inflation into account, it will be more difficult for the resources available to meet the needs generated by the increase in the number of participants in all areas of education," Education Minister Guy Parmelin said about the decision to lower the budget on March 8.

The ETH Board - the umbrella association of Swiss universities - the Swiss National Science Foundation, and the Swiss Academy of Sciences released a joint statement yesterday in reply to the government's decision.

"There is a risk that the level of services will be cut back and that some of the projects carried out in the interests of Switzerland's economy and society will have to be suspended."

Read the Swiss government announcement here.

Read the joint statement of the Swiss academics and researchers here.

Horizon Europe Ukraine researchers get additional €10M in funding

The European Commission has announced today an additional €10 million grant for MSCA4Ukraine, a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) initiative supporting displaced Ukraine researchers forced to flee their country because of the Russian invasion.

The MSCA4Ukraine fellowship scheme has already supported 125 displaced researchers from Ukraine. The additional funding will increase this number to 175.

“Thanks to Horizon Europe funding, researchers that had to flee Ukraine can continue their work. This successful MSCA scheme is one of the ways in which we provide tangible support to the Ukrainian research and innovation community. Helping Ukrainian researchers and innovators is essential both now and for the sake of the future,” said EU research commissioner Iliana Ivanova.

More details here.

Flood of applications for EU net-zero technology projects overwhelms Brussels

The European Commission has announced that the Innovation Fund's 2023 call for proposals for net-zero technologies has attracted 337 applications from 27 countries, vying for a €4 billion budget. These proposals, totaling €24.6 billion in funding requests, aim to deploy innovative clean technologies with money coming from the EU Emissions Trading System.

The applications span various categories, with the most significant interest in energy-intensive industries, renewable energy, energy storage, and mobility, reflecting a diverse array of projects seeking funding.

“The Innovation Fund is a major catalyst to boost EU cleantech value chains, bolstering the EU’s green industrial leadership and reducing external dependencies and costs. Using the revenues of emissions trading to invest in the green transition, it will ensure that EU industries can thrive in the decarbonised economy of the future,” said Maroš Šefčovič, Commission executive vice-president for the European Green Deal.

Candidates will receive notification of the assessment outcomes in the last quarter of 2024, and those selected will enter into grant agreements during the initial quarter of 2025.

More details here.

Research community pushes for openness of research information

Funders and higher education institutions have signed the Barcelona Declaration on Open Research Information, calling for an open and transparent access to research data.

Signatories committed to four main pledges, including prioritizing openness as the standard for both the utilization and production of research information, collaborating with supportive systems and services for open research information, advocating for the longevity of infrastructures supporting open research information, and collectively driving the transition towards openness in research information.

The document was prepared by a group of over 25 research information experts.

The Coimbra Group of around 40 European universities has also signed the declaration.

Read the full announcement here.

Germany unveils plan to bolster China expertise

The German science and foreign ministries, plus the country’s state education ministers, have agreed on a new plan to bolster China expertise, worried that Germany lacks enough people with in-depth knowledge about the country.

"China is increasingly becoming a competitor and systemic rival. Well-founded and independent Chinese expertise is therefore essential in order to be able to safeguard and assert German interests," said federal science minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger, announcing the plans.

The paper is particularly focused on building Chinese language skills, including at universities.

The announcement comes against a backdrop of growing EU concern that the bloc as a whole also lacks China expertise, with a Horizon Europe project launched in 2022 giving €4 million of funding to European research centres to study the country.

Advancements in AI innovation can lead to environmental progress, report suggests

Today, The Lisbon Council released a new report on the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in boosting environmental responsibility and innovation.

According to the study, "technological innovation in hardware and software can make environmental progress and AI not only compatible but deeply synergetic."

According to the Brussels-based think tank, advancements in AI technology can be harmonized with overarching environmental objectives by focusing on energy efficiency and ecological sustainability.

"We can make computing not only more powerful but also more sustainable," said David Osimo, lead author of the report. "The time for transformative change is now and Europe can be at the forefront of this revolution."

Read the report here.

Switzerland, Brazil advance talks on bilateral cooperation in research and innovation

Yesterday’s Joint Committee on Science and Technology in Brasilia reaffirmed the Swiss-Brazilian commitment to enhancing research and innovation collaboration.

During the event, the two countries reviewed past progress and set future priorities. Key officials led discussions on strategic areas such as entrepreneurship and innovation, biodiversity, and digitalisation.

Switzerland and Brazil signed the bilateral agreement on collaboration in science and technology in 2009. Since then, the countries met six times. The next committee meeting will take place in Switzerland in 2026.

More details here.

China seeks to ramp up innovation in the chemical industry, new report says

For years, China has been a leader in industrial chemicals production for years but played second fiddle to Europe and the US in the development of new technologies in the sector.

However, a recent study published by the Innovation Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF) reveals that China is swiftly advancing in chemical innovation. This progress is evident in various indicators such as Chinese patents, R&D expenditures, and the publication of highly cited academic research papers.

According to the group, China will catch up with the global leaders within the next decade or two.

Read the complete study here.

Commission opens consultation on 2025 Horizon Europe work programme

The European Commission has launched a survey to gather feedback for the development of next year’s Horizon Europe work programme.

As of today, research organisations and lobby groups can contribute to shaping direction of the research and innovation programme in 2025.

Respondents can provide feedback on the six Horizon Europe clusters in Pillar 2, research infrastructures, European innovation ecosystems, the five EU Missions and cross-cutting activities, and the New European Bauhaus facility.

Submissions are accepted until May 6th, 2024 midday, CET.

More details here.

Commission publishes its conclusions from the Clean Transition Dialogues

The European Commission has adopted a communication taking stock of the recent Clean Transition Dialogues with European industry and social partners, which will feed into discussions at the upcoming European Council meeting.

Commission President Ursula von der Leyen launched the dialogues in her 2023 State of the Union speech, as a way to support the implementation of the Green Deal and identify key barriers.

The conclusions include the importance of a simplified regulatory framework, action on energy prices, modern infrastructure, easier access to finance, and a stronger single market.

“My main takeaway is that Europe's decarbonisation must be increasingly driven by market forces, in addition to targets and regulation,” said Maroš Šefčovič, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, who chaired the dialogues. “We need to keep strengthening the business case for the clean tech sector and for the decarbonisation of our energy intensive industry.”

No talks of Horizon association as EU and Australia celebrate 30 years of research cooperation

Today, Australia and the European Union reaffirmed their 30 years commitment to science and technology cooperation.

However, despite years of close research collaboration Australia and EU are not moving the needle on a future association to Horizon Europe.

“From clean energy to health research, our partnership with Australia in science and technology has delivered tangible benefits to our people,” said EU research commissioner Iliana Ivanova. “Let us continue working together on sustainable solutions that will address the challenges of our times.”

Read the details of the 30 years of EU-Australia research collaboration here.

Commission thumbs-ups €2.2B German aid to boost decarbonisation

The Commission approved €2.2 billion German State aid measure to support the dercarbonisation of industrial processes and foster the transition to a net-zero economy under the Green Deal Industrial Plan.

The selected projects will receive direct grants. The German scheme aims to support industrial process electrification and enable the substitution of fossil fuels with renewable hydrogen or renewable hydrogen-derived fuels..

“This €2.2 billion scheme will support industries in investing further into the decarbonisation of their industrial processes. This will help accelerate the green transition. The measure will also help Germany to reduce its dependence on imported fossil fuels faster, in line with the REPowerEU Plan, while ensuring that potential competition distortions are kept to the minimum,” said Commission vice-president Margrethe Vestager.

Read the full announcement here.

Switzerland allocates CHF 650M to Horizon Europe back-up scheme

As Switzerland is still waiting to achieve formal association to the Horizon Europe programme, the national Federal Council decided to allocate fundings to finance Swiss participants selected in the 2024 calls for proposals.

This allotment derives from the funding set aside by Parliament in late 2020 to support Switzerland's inclusion in the Horizon programme.

Read the full announcement here.

YERUN: University network releases prospectus for FP10

The Young European Research Universities Network (Yerun) published a position paper aiming to contribute on the vision and design of the next EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (FP10).

According to the group, FP10 should focus on three key priorities, including developing an attractive programme that prioritizes research and promoting equal opportunities for participation in the calls by simplifying processes and streamlining the flow of information in an understandable and user-friendly way.

Finally, Yerun calls for a bigger budget.

“Strengthening our R&I systems is the only way to deliver the technological and social innovation that we need,” reads the document. “For this reason, the budget of FP10 should be more ambitious than the current programme and be above €200 billion.”

Read the position paper here.

EU and India bond over green technologies

The European Union and India have launched an initiative inviting start-ups to work together on recycling batteries for electric vehicles.

This effort is part of the India-EU Trade and Technology Council announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen in April 2022.

The initiative aims to advance the circularity of rare materials and facilitate the transition towards carbon-neutrality in both India and the EU.

“The matchmaking event is a step-ahead to unlock innovative possibilities leading to a green and circular economy. We encourage innovators from the EU to seize this opportunity and explore potential collaborations with their Indian counterparts,” said Marc Lemaître, director-general for research and innovation at the European Commission.

Read the announcement here.

Research lobby commits to sustainable supply of critical raw materials in Europe

EARTO, an association of Europe's leading research and technology organisations welcomed the EU Council’s adoption of EU’s new regulation on critical raw materials.

The EARTO working group on critical raw materials stresses the need for systemic change, stable investment in research and innovation, and regular assessment of data to implement the lists of critical and strategic raw materials.

Additionally, EARTO highlights the crucial role of developing recycling technologies to efficiently utilize low-value waste for a more sustainable future.

Read EARTO’s position paper here.

EU signs deal with Uzbekistan on critical raw materials

Brussels and Uzbekistan have inked a memorandum of understanding to launch a partnership on critical raw materials, part of an attempt diversify supply to the EU as the bloc worries about overdependence on countries such as China.

Uzbekistan has the second largest deposits of critical raw materials in central Asia, according to the EU, including sizable reserves of copper, molybdenum – used in alloys – and gold.

The deal includes “cooperation on research and innovation, including the sharing of knowledge and technologies related to sustainable exploration, extraction, processing and recycling,” according to an EU statement.

“This agreement with resource-rich Uzbekistan will help the EU to secure much-needed access to critical raw materials,” said trade commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis in a statement.

Germany gets €350M aid to boost renewable hydrogen production

Last Friday, the Commission authorised €350 million German State aid measure to support the production of up to 75,000 tonnes of ‘renewable’ hydrogen, an action that will help reduce Russian fossil fuel imports.

Projects selected through a competitive bidding process supervised by the European Climate, Infrastructure, and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) will be supported via an “Auctions-as-a-Service” system within the European Hydrogen Bank. 

“This €350 million scheme is an important step in boosting renewable hydrogen development,” said Margrethe Vestager, Commission executive vice-president in charge of competition policy. “The scheme will support the most cost-effective projects in Germany, reducing costs for taxpayers and minimising possible distortions of competition.”

Read the full announcement here.

Science Europe publishes science-for-policy guidance

Science Europe, an umbrella body of major public funders and research organisations, has released a guide for its members to help them develop their ‘science for policy’ activities, meaning using evidence-based research to inform policies.

“In an era of unprecedented global societal challenges, the role of scientific research in informing decision makers has never been more critical,” said Mari Sundli Tveit, president of Science Europe. “This guidance represents a milestone in our [Science Europe’s] ongoing efforts to improve science–policy interactions.”

Read the guide here.

DFG to push for greater cross-border research cooperation

The German Research Foundation (DFG) plans to boost cross-border cooperation with funding organisations in Europe, according to a new strategy paper published on Wednesday.

Key elements of the strategy paper include expanding research cooperation, and actively participating in developing the new EU Framework Programme.

“Research funding and research policy have long ceased to be confined to a self-contained national space,” said DFG president Katja Becker. “As we see it, the European Research Area is particularly strong if in addition to the EU framework programmes dedicated to research and innovation there are also effective and autonomous national research and funding systems in place, each with their own priorities, funding strategies and opportunities for cooperation.”

The DFG’s Europe Strategy will operate until 2030.

More details here.

UK cleantech sector attracted £2.6 billion in VC investment in 2023

Venture capital investment in the UK cleantech sector reached £2.6 billion in 2023, matching 2021 levels but slightly down on 2022, according to the latest progress report published by the Cleantech for UK initiative.

“This resilience underscores the sector’s stability amidst broader declines in total venture capital investment in the UK,” the report states. Energy and power was the only sector to benefit from increased investment, from £0.68 billion in 2022 to just over £1 billion last year.

But the report warns that securing funding remains difficult, particularly at the first-of-a-kind stage, and that the main UK political parties have scaled back their climate ambitions, resulting in an uncertain environment for investment.

Read the full report, including policy recommendations, here.

EU and Japan tighten research ties

The European Commission has announced a new partnership with Japan on advanced materials signed in Tokyo today.

According to the Coommission, the EU-Japan Enhanced Dialogue on Advanced Materials aims to strengthen collaboration in key sectors like renewable energy, batteries, zero-emission buildings, and semiconductors, as the EU wants to secure a steady supply of advanced materials it needs to deploy new digital and low-carbon technologies.

"The new dialogue on advanced materials strengthens our cooperation with Japan in research and innovation. These materials are critical for our transition to a green future, and by joining forces, we can get there faster. I look forward to seeing the results of this new cooperation with Japan," said research commissioner Iliana Ivanova.

The announcement is a further sign that policymakers in Brussels and Tokyo are moving towards closer cooperation in science and technology. Such efforts have so far fallen short of a full participation of Japan as an associated country in the Horizon Europe programme.

Read the full announcement here.

Germany invests €56M in new research units to advance innovation

The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), one of Germany’s largest research funders, announced the approval of a €56 million fund for 13 new Research Units, including one Clinical Research Unit and two Centres for Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences.

The new networks will help researchers investigate and pursue innovative pathways in topics ranging from applied humanities, bone diseases, robotic construction sites, and the evolution of early land vertebrates.

More details here.

EU and South Korea announce semiconductor deal

The EU and the Republic of Korea recently convened their second Digital Partnership Council in Brussels, led by internal market commissioner Thierry Breton and Lee Jong-Ho, Korean Minister for Science and Information and Communication Technology.

The two blocs reiterated their dedication to collaborating on vital digital technologies, assessing advancements since the inaugural council, and outlining future areas of cooperation. This includes ongoing efforts in semiconductors, 5G, quantum technology, AI, cybersecurity, and new fronts like network connectivity.

"The EU and Korea are leading digital economies and strategic like-minded partners. Today, we took steps to further work together on crucial areas such semiconductors, 5G/6G, cybersecurity, AI, online platforms and connectivity, and joined forces on research projects. Together, we can promote global standards, support innovation and competitiveness and create further opportunities for our economies," said Breton.

More details here.

Commission approves €900M plan to boost carbon-neutral transition

The European Commission has given the green light to a French initiative worth €900 million. This program aims to assist businesses in adopting biomass and renewable hydrogen technologies for energy and fuel manufacturing.

The French scheme’s goal is to facilitate the transition to a carbon-neutral economy, aligning with the objectives of the Green Deal Industrial Plan.

“This €900 million scheme will help companies to increase the use of energy and fuels produced from biomass and renewable hydrogen. By reducing the reliance on imported fossil fuels, it will contribute to the achievement of the EU’s goals. This measure is an important step in the transition to a net-zero economy, while protecting the level playing field in the Single Market,” said Margrethe Vestager, Commission vice-president.

Read the full announcement here.

ERC invested more than €2B in AI research, report shows

The European Research Council (ERC) has allocated over €2 billion since 2007 to support cutting-edge research in artificial intelligence (AI), a new ERC report reads.

Significantly, the document highlights a considerable array of initiatives in healthcare and environmental sustainability, encompassing studies on clinical procedures, diagnostic automation, biomedical exploration, as well as endeavors focused on climate action and the shift towards renewable energy sources.

A recent published Science|Business analysis on AI funding in Horizon Europe shows the pace of AI-related research grants accelerating. A large proportion of projects approved are in healthcare, in topics such as breast cancer and cardiac arrhythmia.

"The report underscores the indispensable role of ERC-funded frontier research in addressing societal, economic, and ethical challenges posed by AI. Acknowledging the rapid pace of advancements in the field, particularly in generative AI, the ERC Scientific Council remains vigilant, stressing the importance of researcher accountability. We must ensure that we stay ‘smart in a smart world," said Gerd Gigerenzer, Vice-President of the ERC Scientific Council.

Read the full ERC report here.

Report urges EU action on new technologies

A Brussels think tank has set out a series of policy idea to regulate five new and potentially destabilising technologies, including advanced biotechnology and mind-reading neurotechnology.

Ahead of a new Commission taking office later this year, the Brussels-based International Centre for Future Generations, has released an overview of the state of play in neurotechnology, biotechnology, climate intervention tools such as geoengineering, quantum technology, and advanced artificial intelligence.

“This new wave of emerging technologies obliges the EU to move even faster and more effectively to govern technological progress within the rule of law and with an eye towards human well-being,” urges Five Emerging Technologies to Act On Now.

Canadians can join ERC teams following renewed deal

The European Research Council (ERC) has signed a deal to allow researchers supported by three Canadian funding agencies to temporarily join the research teams of ERC grantees.

The agreement covers academics supported by the Canada’s Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

The deal follows a similar arrangement signed in 2016.

Estonia approved for full membership of CERN

Estonia has been accepted as a full member of CERN, one of the world’s largest research labs. It means Estonia will have voting rights in the CERN Council and other bodies, and can participate in CERN decision making processes.

Estonian companies will also have the advantage of being able to participate in international procurement without limits.

“CERN's industrial procurement is high-tech, and in cooperation with CERN it is possible to develop new capabilities, products and technologies, helping the achievements of top science to reach business,” said Estonian Minister of Economy and Information Technology, Tiit Riisalo.

Estonia will become CERN’s 24th full member if confirmed by governments and parliaments of the organisation’s other member states.

RTOs have a crucial role in Knowledge Valorisation, association says

RTOs are the missing puzzle piece bridging the gap between basic science and the market, according to a paper released last week by the European Association of Research and Technology Organisations (EARTO).

“Research and Technology Organisations (RTOs) are key players in this process, acting as intermediaries between the scientific community and industry with their diverse expertise, infrastructures, and networks: RTOs play a vital role in transforming raw knowledge into tangible products, services, and processes with/for the industry,” reads the paper.

Read the full paper here.

Polish scheme to attract international researchers opens

A Call for applicants for a scheme to bring scientists and researchers to Poland is now open. The Ulam NAWA programme, run by the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange, supports foreign students in carrying out research or completing a postdoctoral internship in Poland for a period of between six to 24 months.

The call for applicants runs until 5 May. This is the sixth edition of the programme that has so far supported 303 scientists from around the world.

The programme offers a monthly scholarship of PLN 7,500 (around €1,600), plus a lump sum of PLN 4,000 (around €930) for accommodation costs, as well as extra for travel costs and childcare and disability support.

Find out more here.

EU research grants alert: Commission launches new funding & tenders portal

The European Commission has updated its funding and tenders portal where researchers and entrepreneurs can find the latest calls for proposals under EU programmes.

The new design separates the funding and procurement sections, the homepage has been upgraded to make it easier to use. Elsewhere, the search functionality has been improved to make it easier to find calls for proposals, tenders or partners.

The portal will also offer recommendations for new funding opportunities based on the users’ preferences.

EIB allocates €19M in funding for 23 cities achieving climate-neutrality

The Commission has revealed an additional funding injection of €19 million from the European Investment Bank (EIB) for advisory services designated for cities awarded with the EU Mission Label. This agreement is set to be enacted in the forthcoming amendment of the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2024.

The EU Mission Label was awarded today to 23 cities part of the EU Mission for Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities under Horizon Europe.

Read the full announcement here.

European Commission presents initiative to boost biotechnology and biomanufacturing

The European Commission has unveiled its plan to support biotechnology and biomanufacturing in the EU, and to make the sector more competitive internationally.

It aims to address three key challenges facing the industry: difficulties moving from research to the market; access to finance; and regulatory complexity and long approval times.

The proposal includes plans to launch a study on how biotech legislation could be streamlined, and to establish an EU Biotech Hub by the end of this year to help companies to navigate the regulatory framework.

“With the potential to solve some of our most pressing problems, biotechnology also largely supports Europe’s economy and it provides high-quality jobs,” said Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice-President of the Commission.

ERC plans to publish extensive analysis of funded projects

The European Research Council (ERC) is drafting a report on the impact of the research projects it funded under the EU’s 7th Framework Programme from 2007 to 2013.

According to an ERC preview of the report, 58% of the funded projects contributed to significant advances, and another 20% achieved crucial scientific breakthroughs.

“As we examine the findings of these ex-post evaluations, we gain invaluable insights not only into the impact of the ERC’s pioneering years but also into the trajectory of future frontier research,” said Jesper Svejstrup, vice president of the ERC Scientific Council.

Read the preview report here and the full announcement here.

EIC Fund boosts deep tech companies, Commission report says

The 2023 EIC Fund investments in deep tech enterprises - totalling around €1.2 billion - are leveraging over €3.5 from the private sector for each euro invested, says the Impact Report 2023 released by the European Innovation Council (EIC) today.

“The European Innovation Council (EIC) has emerged as a game-changer in supporting deep tech innovation in Europe. This Impact Report shows how the EIC supports the growth of high potential startups while at the same time building a European community of deep tech investors. This is crucial to ensuring the future of our companies and strengthening EU leadership in critical technologies,” said Iliana Ivanova, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth.

Read the full announcement here.

EU offers Egypt talks on Horizon Europe association

European leaders have offered Cairo talks on associating to Horizon Europe, as part of a €7.4 billion investment deal seen as a way of inducing Egypt to stem the flow of migrants to the EU.

According to a statement by Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and several EU leaders on 17 March, “Egypt can now negotiate its accession to other EU programmes such as Creative Europe and Horizon Europe”.

In 2022, Tunisia associated to Horizon Europe, despite human rights concerns from some MEPs following an effective coup by the country’s president.

Talks breakthrough means Swiss academics can apply to ERC as normal

The European Research Council has confirmed that researchers based in Switzerland can now apply to calls as if the country were associated to Horizon Europe, meaning they can take up grants without having to leave Switzerland.

Bern’s long-running exclusion from Horizon Europe has meant ERC grantees cannot be based in Switzerland – Swiss winners have had to decamp to an EU or associated country.

But now that wider political talks between Switzerland and the EU have made progress, transition measures mean that Swiss researchers can apply to the ERC as normal.

An association agreement is still yet to be agreed, and will be necessary before Swiss researchers can actually receive ERC grants.

Strengthen role of European Innovation Council in FP10, says life sciences alliance

EU-LIFE, an alliance of 15 European life sciences research institutes, has set out its vision for the European Innovation Council (EIC) in the next EU R&I framework programme, FP10, after undertaking a similar exercise for the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions.

It calls for strengthening the role of the EIC and for rebalancing funding, so that public funds focus on higher-risk low technology readiness levels (TRLs), while promoting private investments at higher TRLs. It argues the Pathfinder and Transition instruments should solely be supported by public funding with the Accelerator relying on private investment.

It goes on to state that “overly complex parts of Horizon Europe such as Pillar 2, and programmes with questionable impact such as the EIT should be restructured and/or deprioritized to provide more funds to the EIC.”

Read the full statement here.

Germany launches funds to boost fusion energy development

German Federal Minister of Education and Science Bettina Stark-Watzinger presented the new funding programme for fusion energy, aka "Fusion 2040 - Research on the way to the fusion power plant." The investment is intended to boost the technologies, components, and materials needed for a fusion power plant in the country by the early 2030s.

"The energy crisis has made us realise how important a clean, reliable and affordable energy supply is. And fusion is a huge opportunity to solve all our energy problems,” said the Minister. "I want us in Germany to be among the first to build a fusion power plant."

Read the full announcement here (in German).

European children should be taught ‘nature of science’, says academy of sciences group

It is vital to teach children of primary and post-primary school level about the nature of science and research ethics, says the European Federation of Academies of Sciences and Humanities (ALLEA).

The group argues that with advanced technology becoming increasingly ingrained in our everyday lives, it is essential for children to learn about concepts such as the tentative and empirical nature of scientific knowledge, the role of evidence and experimentation, the difference between theories and hypotheses, and so on.

In a statement titled ‘Early Learning Opportunities for Shaping a Scientifically Literate Society’, ALLEA sets out recommendations for making European children more scientifically literate and conscious of research ethics.

You can read the full statement here.

France to launch R&D agency for defence AI and supercomputer dedicated to defence

The French Ministry of the Armed Forces will launch a Ministerial Agency for Defence AI (AMIAD), minister Sébastien Lecornu announced as he presented the new strategy on artificial intelligence.

The agency is set to recruit 300 people, including numerous researchers, split between its research site at the École Polytechnique engineering school in Palaiseau outside of Paris, and a production site in Bruz, near Rennes.

“Its mission will be to provide France with sovereign control over these technologies to avoid depending on other powers,” Lecornu said. “The technological leap that artificial intelligence represents is without doubt what will revolutionise the way wars are fought. Or even, more importantly, avoided, like the atom before it.”

The ministry wants to introduce AI into administrative tasks as well as operational missions. It also wants to acquire its own supercomputer by 2025, which will be based in Suresnes, a western suburb of Paris, and will be used to treat classified data. Defence companies will also have access to the supercomputer to hone their technologies.

FP10 papers: Technical universities back call for €200

EuroTech Universities published a prospectus for FP10 stressing the pivotal role of science and technology universities in Horizon Europe’s enhancement and refinement.

The Alliance calls for budget transparency, increased support for collaborative basic and applied research, and strengthening partnerships with countries outside the EU. Joining other research organisations, EuroTech wants to see a doubling of the Horizon Europe budget to €200 billion to FP10, too.

Read the position paper here.

UK and Germany team up to boost research

Bettina Stark-Watzinger, Federal Minister of Education and Science of Germany, and Michelle Donelan, UK Secretary of State for Science, Innovation, and Technology, signed a joint statement on future bilateral research cooperation between the two countries yesterday in London.

The partnership will focus on key technologies such as artificial intelligence, battery research, quantum and fusion research, and research security.

“Germany is the UK’s second-largest trading partner, as well as a critical science and research partner through the likes of Horizon Europe and CERN. To capitalise on this, bringing our shared strengths in science and technology together will be essential,” said Donelan.

Read the full announcement here (in English) and here (in German).

EIT launches new hub in the UK

After UK’s recent association to Horizon Europe, another step was made today to strengthen the partnership between London and Brussels with the launch of the EIT Hub UK by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT).

“The new EIT Hub will bring together innovators from the EU and the UK to work together on solutions to our common challenges. I look forward to our collaboration continuing to bear fruit, shaping a future that we want,” said Iliana Ivanova, European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth.

Read the full announcement here.

EU Missions info days: New topics and funding opportunities

The European Commission is hosting an online info session to present new funding opportunities part of the EU Missions in Horizon Europe in the areas of health, climate and the environment.

The event will take place on 25 and 26 April. Details are available here.

Time's up for Horizon Europe Cluster 6 calls

The bell rang, closing the calls for proposals for the €890 million EU funds dedicated to Horizon Europe Cluster 6: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment.

The European Research Executive Agency (REA) announced the closing, after receiving a total of 1,269 applications for the seven calls proposed.

EUFarm2Fork—the grant that included most topics and funds—received the highest number of applications. Project ideas focused on 'New healthy and sustainable food products and processes' and 'EU-African Union cooperation on agroforestry management for climate change adaptation and mitigation.'

More details on the results here.

EU plans to further improve gender balance in the R&I sector

On Women’s Day, the Commission set a new goal to achieve minimal gender balance in R&I by adding 200,000 women to the field of energy transition by 2050.

According to the EC report released last week, women in the renewable energy sector represent 22 percent of the workforce and are subject to gender pay gaps and discrimination.

The document suggests significant cultural, societal, and policy changes to promote STEM careers for women and increase their representation in the EU energy sector.

Read the full report here.

Germany and France launch joint hydrogen R&D fund

The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research (MESR) announced a joint call for proposals to fund innovative hydrogen R&D projects.

The two countries will provide a budget of between 1.5 and 2.5 million euros that will be earmarked for a three-year collaboration between applicants from at least one German and one French research institute.

Projects must be submitted by May 6, 2024.

More details are available here.

Commission to boost R&I knowledge with new guidelines for researchers and innovators

The European Commission has announced recommendations for industry-academia co-creation and citizen engagement to maximise the transformation of R&I results into solutions that benefit society.

The Commission wants to encourage researchers and innovators to build strong partnerships between, and to build up links between research organisations and societal actors.

“These codes of practice, developed with stakeholders, will be a valuable tool for bridging the gap between the lab and the market and for boosting knowledge valorisation," said Iliana Ivanova, EU commissioner for research and innovation.

Read the full announcement here.

Helmholtz releases wish list for the next EU Framework Programme

Germany’s largest research organisation is putting its weight behind a call by MEPs for a €200 billion budget for FP10, the EU’s next Framework Programme for Research and Innovation.

In a position paper released last week, Helmholtz says increased investment is crucial to ensure the success of FP10.

Bigger funds would help the EU solve big challenges such as digital transformation, energy transition, climate change, the depletion of natural resources and the degradation of ecosystems.

“To meet all these enormous challenges, an increased, very ambitious research budget is key to promoting future innovative and creative solutions – and a sustainable future for Europe,” the paper says.

In an interview with Science|Business in January, Helmholtz president Otmar Wiestler said FP10 should include EU-wide efforts to take industrial leadership in new technologies.

European Research Council presents results of its democracy research projects

While 2024 is the election year for around 64 countries and the European Union, for the European Research Council (ERC) it is the chance to evaluate the outcomes of the projects it funded on democracy.

The ERC published a report that explores the outcomes of its €368 million funded projects in voting behavior, digital campaigns, and disinformation, among others.

The report is not putting forward any policy suggestions, however, it seeks to present decision-makers with scientific evidence for addressing challenges to democratic systems worldwide.

More details are available here.

Call for an EU research agenda on the impact of climate on health

The European Commission has launched preparations for its new Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) on climate and health, after collecting large amounts of input from experts at a conference on the health impact of climate change.

At an event held in Brussels last month, the Commission brought together nearly 500 researchers, decision-makers and funders to discuss critical challenges and priorities in climate change and health research.

Experts raised pressing issues, including the slow translation of research into policies, funding disparities for climate and health research in the Global South, and inequalities in data availability across regions. They called for more qualitative research to represent diverse perspectives and facilitate inclusive climate adaptation and mitigation strategies to safeguard public health.

More details here.

Commission report: Big R&I boost needed to reach climate neutrality goals

Making the EU economy climate-neutral requires a new and improved research and innovation agenda, according to a new report by the European Commission.

The EU is planning to become the first climate neutral continent by 2050, but the lofty goal might not be achievable without increased investments and improved strategies for research and innovation.

"The EU must intensify its efforts and revisit its approach to R&I to ensure it is fit for purpose and well equipped to support the next wave of breakthrough innovations that will be required to achieve climate neutrality in the EU and globally,” the report says.

The full report is available here.

Life sciences alliance sets out vision for future of MSCA

EU-LIFE, an alliance of 15 European life sciences research institutes has set out its vision for Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions under the next EU R&I framework programme, FP10, due to begin in 2028. 

The alliance sets out two versions of how it sees the MSCA programme, one realistic and the other ambitious. In both, it calls for increased investment into the scheme. The ambitious version also calls for a new scheme to better connect the MSCA to the European Research Council and another to help MSCA grant winners commercialise their research. 

The MSCA grants are the EU’s main funding scheme for post-doctoral researchers. EU-LIFE’s set of more than 50 recommendations for the scheme comes in the context of the European Commission’s consultation on the future of the programme. 

Read the full statement here. 

EU signs wind power agreement with Azerbaijan

EU wind power companies have signed a memorandum of understanding with Azerbaijan's Renewable Energy Agency to tap the potential wind power of the Caspian Sea.

The agreement was signed during a visit by energy commissioner Kadri Simson to Baku last week.

“We see now a growing interest from EU renewable companies to work with Azerbaijan and in your country,” she said in a speech last week.

“The signature of the memorandum of understanding with EU wind companies in the margins of this Ministerial is a very important step”.

Simson also hailed a 46% increase in gas supplies to Europe between 2021 and 2023.

Brainport Eindhoven designated a NATO defence innovation accelerator

Brainport Eindhoven has been designated by NATO as an accelerator as part of the Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) programme, which helps start-ups to develop dual-use technologies.

It becomes the first Dutch region to be granted the status. Other DIANA accelerator sites are located in cities including Tallinn, Copenhagen, Turin, Seattle and Boston.

The announcement was made during a ceremony celebrating the first anniversary of the Brainport Innovation & Technology for Security ecosystem on Wednesday 28 February.

UK private sector R&D spending lagged inflation during 2022

R&D spending by UK businesses in 2022 grew more slowly than the country’s soaring inflation rate – though its pharmaceutical industry remained the top spender, according to a new report from the Office of National Statistics (ONS).

While inflation jumped 9.1% during 2022, private sector R&D spending rose 6.4% to £49.9 billion, of which pharma spent £9 billion.

The report is the latest product of a controversial effort by the statistics office to improve the way it counts private sector research spending. The topic, though normally unnoticed outside the professional statistics world, caught headlines in late 2022 when ONS announced that for some years it had been inadvertently undercounting the value of private sector R&D. It said a better count would put the value at £43 billion for 2020, up by £16.1 billion, or 62%, from its prior estimates.

That raised the estimate of national R&D spending in a way that could be interpreted as a success for the Conservative government’s push to make the country an “innovation powerhouse”.

In fact, as the politically independent statisticians explained at the time, the revision reflected in house efforts to fix problems they had started to see in their statistical methods. Counting business R&D spending – especially of small companies – is particularly difficult for statisticians in most countries.

ONS’s latest report suggests it isn’t yet finished checking its sums. To get the new figures, it said it had greatly expanded the number of businesses it surveys about R&D activities, and gathered more detailed information from many of them. But it added that it may make further methodological changes in the months ahead – and until then, it isn’t yet endorsing its detailed breakdown of the numbers as final (a ‘National Statistic’, in its language). Nor is it yet producing a final estimate of how important R&D is to the UK economy overall, as a percentage of gross domestic product.

Mix civilian and military R&D, expert commission tells Germany

Germany’s annual assessment of its research, innovation and technology system has recommended the government remove the country’s “strict separation” between military and civilian R&D.

The report, written each year by a panel of experts and presented yesterday to chancellor Olaf Scholz, concluded that this division should be “fundamentally reconsidered and abolished where appropriate”.

Linking civilian and military research leads to spillover effects that enhance both types of innovation, the report argues. “Germany has so far largely foregone these positive effects due to its strict separation of military and civilian research.”

The recommendation is not a shock, as last year’s report also called for more synergies between civilian and military R&D. But the call comes as EU countries mull their response to a suggestion from the European Commission that dual use research be permitted in the successor to Horizon Europe.

DIGITALEUROPE calls for ambitious FP10 budget with more incentives for industry

Industry association DIGITALEUROPE has joined calls by MEPs for the successor to Horizon Europe, Framework Programme 10 (FP10), to have a €200 billion budget, more than double that of the current programme.

In a new report on innovation in the EU, the group suggests the programme should dedicate 25% of its funding to digital targets and initiatives.

FP10 should incentivise industry participation, it argues, “including through technology-readiness-level (TRL) balance and more attractive legal and contractual conditions”.

SMEs would also benefit from harmonised rules of participation across connected programmes such as Digital Europe, and from efforts to minimise the administrative burden for beneficiaries, according to the report.

Most EU-funded hydrogen R&D happens in north-west Europe, Commission report says

According to a new monitoring report by the European Commission, hydrogen projects funded through the EU framework programmes for research and innovation are largely concentrated in a few countries in north-west Europe.

Most of the EU’s contribution to the development of hydrogen technologies in Europe is funnelled through institutionalised public-private partnerships, the so-called Joint Undertakings, the report says.

Since 2007, the Commission financed nearly 800 projects, with more than €2.9 billion. While a large share of funding focuses on mobility applications, particularly in the field of aviation, projects targeting all parts of the hydrogen value-chain have been financed

Participants are mainly located in the north-west of Europe, and Germany, France and Italy are key players in hydrogen research.

Hydrogen valleys are also blossoming in Europe, with 17 hydrogen valleys funded by the R&I programmes, the report says.

The full report is available here.

EIT releases new strategy for EU outermost regions

The European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT) has announced it will increase its efforts to boost innovation capacity in EU outermost regions: Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Réunion, Martinique, Mayotte and Saint-Martin (France), the Azores and Madeira (Portugal), and the Canary Islands (Spain).

The plan is part of the EIT regional innovation scheme (RIS) which was launched in 2014 and expanded in 2021, with the aim to lose the innovation gap between European countries, boosting the performance of areas scored as 'modest' or 'emerging' innovation ecosystems.

The EIT plans help EU outermost regions strengthen their technology transfer capacity, and come up with a tailored fundraising programme for start-ups in need of financing.

More details are available here.

Maria Leptin explains recent changes to ERC’s evaluation system

In a new report published by the European Research Council (ERC), president Maria Leptin lists the main outcomes of the funder’s recent assessment of grant evaluation procedures.

In the past year, the Scientific Council of the ERC introduced changes in the evaluation processes and evaluation forms for the 2024 calls for research proposals.

In a report dedicated to that process, Leptin explains the reasoning behind the changes and the decisionmaking process that led to them.

The report is available here.

European Parliament approves strategic technologies fund in wider budget agreement

The European Parliament this week approved the new Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP), the EU’s plan to mobilise investments in the digital, deep tech, cleantech and biotech sectors, as part of wider agreement on the mid-term revision of EU’s long-term budget (MFF).

It follows an agreement on the MFF budget between the European Council and Parliament earlier this month.

STEP was originally intended to be a €10 billion package but with budgets across the bloc stretched, especially in light of a €50 billion package to support Ukraine, it was trimmed down to just €1.5 billion, all of which will be channelled through the European Defence Fund (EDF). Read more about the cuts to step here.

France cuts €900M from 2024 research and higher education budget

France is cutting €900 million from its research and higher education budget for 2024 in line with wider spending cuts totalling €10 billion in an effort to reduce its budget deficit with economic growth slower than expected.

The government is also slashing €2 billion from environmental and energy transition programmes.

Fewer than 10% of life science researchers understand EU and US AI laws

Only 9% of life science researchers understand EU and US legislation on artificial intelligence, according to a new survey of 125 life science professionals carried out by the Pistoia Alliance.

The EU is on the verge of passing its groundbreaking AI act designed to create the world’s first regulatory framework around uses of the technology. Member states reached a unanimous agreement on the content of the act earlier this month, but it still must pass through more steps before final approval that should come later this spring.

The US, on the other hand, has loose regulation of the technology and is only in the early phases of creating legislation.

The new survey found that as much as 35% of life science professionals surveyed have “no understanding at all” of AI legislation. On top of this, 21% said that existing regulations were blocking their research.

Read the full report here.

DIGITALEUROPE urges EU and member states to revamp single market

Industry association DIGITALEUROPE has published a series of recommendations aimed at making the European single market fit for the digital age.

“We applaud the push for common data spaces, robust cybersecurity and responsible AI development,” said director general Cecilia Bonefeld-Dahl in her forward to the report.

“However, the devil lies in the details. Inconsistent digital laws and fragmented regulations in crucial areas have resulted in a labyrinth of burdens, deterring investors and stifling innovation,” she said.

The publication explores 10 obstacles, including connectivity, disparate data laws, and inconsistent procurement rules, and recommends solutions.

European industries call for a bold biotechnology and biomanufacturing initiative

Representatives from the biotech industry and beyond have come together to call on the European Commission to be ambitious in its forthcoming Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Initiative.

Europe is slow to translate biotech R&I into industrial application and manufacturing at scale, says a position paper signed by organisations including EuropaBio, Good Food Institute Europe, and the European Confederation of Pharmaceutical Entrepreneurs (EUCOPE).

The initiative, due to be presented in the coming months, is “a unique opportunity for the EU to build on its strong research and innovation base towards clear industrial, societal and market targets,” it reads.

The organisations offer five core principles which they say should underpin Europe’s approach to biotechnology and biomanufacturing. These include ensuring competitive market access for products in Europe, unlocking the full potential of the single market, and creating attractive investment frameworks.

You can read the position paper here.

EIT Award winners and European Prize for Women Innovators finalists announced

The winners of this year’s EIT Awards were announced at the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) Summit in Brussels on Tuesday.

The winners were recognised for their ground-breaking innovations in four categories: the Changemaker Award, the Innovation Team Award, the Venture Award, and the Public Award. They specialise in technologies from sodium-ion batteries to sustainable biofoams. Learn about the winners here.

The ten finalists for the European Prize for Women Innovators, awarded by EIT and the European Innovation Council (EIC), were also announced at the Summit, with the winners set to be revealed at the R&I Week opening on 18 March. See the full list of finalists here.

Europe must double climate investments to reach 2030 targets, report says

Climate investments in the EU economy grew by 9% in 2022, but must still double for Europe to hit its 2030 climate targets, according to a new report from the Institute for Climate Economics (I4CE).

The report tracked public and private investments in 22 sectors that are critical to the transformation of energy, building and transport systems, which totalled €407 billion in 2022, or 2.56% of GDP. At least €813 billion of investment, or 5.1% of EU GDP, are needed every year in those sectors, it calculates.

“Given the scale of the current deficit, and the expected reduction in EU climate funding in the years to come, some additional EU public funding is likely required to contribute to closing the Climate Investment Deficit,” the authors write.

You can read the report here.

Research ministers endorse statement on ‘ethical compass’ for international cooperation

Research ministers have endorsed last Friday a statement on principles and values for international cooperation in research and innovation.

The statement calls for a roadmap for joint principles and values for international cooperation, in coordination with UNESCO, UNCSTD, OECD, International Science Council, G7, G20, Council of Europe, and other international fora.

“Scientists and innovators, no matter where in the world they live and work, must be able to reach out to one another and work together across borders and cultural traditions, based on a foundation of mutual trust and understanding,” said Iliana Ivanova, EU commissioner for research and innovation.

“This is what we are working towards: to establish a global ethical compass for research and innovation with people and values at its heart,” she said.

Commission launches R&I foresight platform

The European Commission has launched futures4europe, a foresight platform brining experts and research and innovation policymakers from across the EU.

With a view to supporting the reflection towards for the next Framework Programme, the platform provided 8 foresight policy briefs that have now been published by the Commission:

Ireland to send its first talent and innovation attaché in San Francisco

Ireland’s research minister Simon Harris has announced the location of the first Talent and Innovation Attaché position as the West Coast of the United States.

The Minister made the announcement as part of the US launch of the government’s 2030 strategy for international education and innovation.

“I am really pleased to confirm the decision to announce the first of our planned six Talent and Innovation Attachés will be based in the United States,” Harris said.

““The person will be based in San Francisco – the epicentre of innovation and talent in America and Ireland will now have a person permanently based there, dedicated to promoting Ireland as a destination for education and research,” he added.

EIT launches solar industry skills academy

The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) has launched a European Solar Academy, to support solar technologies and SMEs with a focus on training and reskilling employees.

The academy will have a starting budget of €4 million, and is the latest skills initiative to be launched within the EIT Campus. Existing programmes include the European Battery Academy and the Deep Tech Talent Initiative.

“The new Solar Academy […] shows that the EIT ecosystem is a trusted network that is agile and ready to deliver on key policy priorities,” said Nektarios Tavernarakis, chair of the EIT governing board.

The announcement was made during the EIT Summit in Brussels on Tuesday 20 February.

Postdoctoral researchers won €260 million in MSCA grants in 2023

Postdoctoral researchers won €260 million in Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action grants in 2023 to fund their work in universities, research centres and businesses.

In total, 1,249 researchers won grants out of 8,039 overall applications, making a success rate of 15.8% for two. This was spread over two calls: European Postdoctoral Fellowships

and Global Postdoctoral Fellowships, with €221.40 million awarded to 1,110 researchers for the former and €39.07 million awarded to 139 researchers for the latter.

The first projects are due to start at the earliest in April 2024.

Alongside the winners, 1,737 applicants who received a quality score of 85% or above but who did not get funding due to limited budgets were awarded a Seal of Excellence stamp. This instrument helps them to secure national funding for their proposals.

The next call for MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships will open on 10 April 2024.

Europe must ensure optimal funding of battery research to reach potential, EU partnership says

A new strategic guide to ensure the EU allocates funding to battery research and technology in the best possible way has been published today by BATT4EU, a European co-programmed partnership.

The guide highlights the global importance of batteries in the green transition and Europe’s lag behind, for example, China in financing battery research and innovation.

The European battery market could be worth as much as €250 billion per year by 2025, according to the European Battery Alliance. To capitalise on this potential, Europe must optimise its funding of batteries.

“Innovation is… costly and despite the generous funding made available to Europe’s industry and research organisations, it is essential that limited available financial resources are allocated in the best way to maximise the impact of research and innovation efforts,” BATT4EU states.

You can read the full Strategy for Research and Innovation here.

European Health Data Space must be done right, says university alliance

University alliance LERU has warned against EU institutions rushing through legislation on a European Health Data Space before June European elections, expressing concerns over inconsistencies being written in that could impact scientific research and innovation at universities.

LERU has published nine recommendations to the EU to ensure that the regulation, which the group welcomes, is in the best interest of researchers. These include creating a definition of scientific research that is consistent with other EU data frameworks, clearly defining all data categories, ensuring coordination between national health data access bodies and the EHDS, among others.

The proposal for a regulation on the EHDS was launched in 2022 and it is currently being negotiated in trilogue discussions between the European Council, Parliament and Commission.

Commission’s annual single market and competitiveness report calls for more focus on strategic technologies

The European Commission has published its first annual single market and competitiveness report, tracking yearly developments according to the nine competitiveness drivers identified in the EU’s 2023 Long-term competitiveness Communication.

These include the functioning of the Single Market, access to private capital, public investment and infrastructure, research and innovation, energy, circularity, digitalisation, education and skills, and trade and open strategic autonomy.

The report notes that R&I investments in the EU have fallen slightly to 2.2% of GDP, well below the target of 3%. It calls for more focus on strategic technologies, “including those with dual-use potential”, and for steps to “strengthen the translation of research results into practical business applications”.

“More efforts are needed to pull in investments, boost our strategic technologies and ensure that our workforce is equipped with the right skills,” said Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice President of the Commission.

UK government promises to tackle research bureaucracy

The UK government has laid out the measures it is taking to simplify the funding process, in its response to an independent review of research bureaucracy, published in July 2022. The review was led by Professor Adam Tickell, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Birmingham.

The response details how funders will free up time for researchers, develop new ways of collecting and analysing data, harmonise their application processes, and more.

“Reducing unnecessary bureaucracy is a task that requires constant vigilance and ongoing effort,” said Science and Technology Secretary, Michelle Donelan in her forward to the government response. The full document can be consulted here.

UK announces £100M in funding for biotech innovation

The UK will award £100 million to biotech projects to develop new technologies that will help prepare for pandemics, innovate farming, and protect against floods, the government’s Science and Technology Secretary, Michelle Donelan, has announced.

The money will support six new Engineering Biology Mission Hubs, to be led by UK universities, and 22 Mission Award projects. Full details of the recipients are available here.

Donelan also announced an additional £21 million for the UK Biobank, which will be invested in a new robot freezer, to store 20 million samples of biological data.

Technology and scientific advances are “the true engine room of growth”, and the investments will contribute to “cementing the UK as a science and technology superpower by 2030”, Donelan said.

EU enlargement: Potential new EU member states need a say on FP10

Countries in advanced talks to join the European Union need to have a voice in the planning of the EU’s next research and innovation programme that will run between 2028-2035, Anastas Mishev, a professor at the North Macedonian University of Ss Cyril and Methodius, North Macedonia, told a Science|Business conference today.

“Our biggest hope is becoming part of the union,” Mishev said. “But until then, it is important for us to be asked to be a part of what is being planned, to have our say and not to be outsiders waiting to join like it was with all the previous programmes.”

He added that western Balkan countries have been heavily reliant on funding support from EU R&I framework programmes over the years, and that support needs to continue. “We want to avoid a two-speed Europe,” Mishev said, emphasising the importance of investing in all countries and regions of Europe.

Monica Dietl, executive director of the Initiative for Science in Europe (ISE), speaking on the same panel said that the possibility of new member states joining the EU should be considered when planning the budget for the next framework programme.

“The more countries there are, the more budget we need,” she said. “We know that currently, many excellent projects are not funded. The guideline should be, being able to fund all excellent projects all over the programme.”

Mishev and Dietl were speaking during a panel discussion on EU enlargement during a Science|Business’ conference celebrating 40 years of EU framework programmes.

EDA opens contest for best defence research papers

The European Defence Agency (EDA) has published a new call for applications to its research, technology, and innovation papers award.

The competition, now in its second year, focuses on innovative technologies, processes, and applications for enhanced future defence capabilities.

EDA is looking to receive applications from early career researchers until 29 March 2024. The awards will be presented at Eurosatory in Paris in June with each winner receiving €4,000.

This year, selected papers will focus on research ideas which, if implemented between now and 2035, would contribute to enhance specific EU defence capabilities.

The Guild calls for more long-term funding for European Universities alliances

The Guild of European research-intensive universities is calling on national governments and universities to join forces with the European Commission to boost funding for European Universities alliances

According to a statement by The Guild, the EU should provide “comprehensive support to university alliances” but EU funding alone is not enough. “The sustainability of the initiative will require concerted efforts of national governments and institutional commitments,” the Guild said.

“The alliances differ in scope and modus operandi,” said Ole Petter Ottersen, acting secretary-general of The Guild. “This is how it should be: there is not a single way forward, but many, and they should all be explored in the living experiment that the university alliances represent,” he said.

The full statement is available here.

EIC launches strategic procurement programme

The European Innovation Council (EIC) has launched the SPIN4EIC Strategic Innovation Procurement Programme, a new initiative aimed at helping innovators access procurement markets in Europe and beyond.

EIC beneficiaries will get tailored assistance to learn about procurment opportunities and take part as bidders in public or private tenders. The programme will also help public and private buyers connect with innovators.

A launch event of the programme will take place on 22 February.

The Joint European Torus reports fusion energy breakthrough

The Joint European Torus (JET), the EU-funded large infrastructure located in the UK, has demonstrated the ability to reliably generate fusion energy whilst simultaneously setting a world record in energy output.

After running since 1983, JET has reached the end of its lifespan and is due to be decommissioned, but in a swansong on what it has achieved, it was reported that in the final deuterium-tritium experiments (DTE3), high fusion power was consistently produced for 5 seconds, resulting in a ground-breaking record of 69 megajoules using a mere 0.2 milligrams of fuel.

Fernanda Rimini, JET senior exploitation manager, said, “We can reliably create fusion plasmas using the same fuel mixture to be used by commercial fusion energy powerplants, showcasing the advanced expertise developed over time.”

Ambrogio Fasoli, programme manager at EUROfusion, which oversees the EU’s Euratom programme said, “Our successful demonstration of operational scenarios for future fusion machines like ITER and DEMO, validated by the new energy record, instil greater confidence in the development of fusion energy. Beyond setting a new record, we achieved things we’ve never done before and deepened our understanding of fusion physics.”

Over 300 scientists and engineers from EUROfusion – a consortium of researchers across Europe, contributed to the landmark experiments at the UK Atomic Energy Authority site in Oxford.

YERUN paper: Three steps to make careers in academia more attractive and sustainable

The Young European Research Universities Network (YERUN) ahs published a list of three policy steps needed to improve careers in academia, in response to a call for evidence by teh European Commisison.

The three steps are:

Step 1: Celebrating diversity of contributions and creating paths for talent to grow
Step 2: Creating adequate support systems for continuous skills development
Step 3: Empowering universities with adequate framework conditions to support diverse career developments.

Read the full paper here.

MEPs back proposal to reform strict rules governing gene-edited plants

The European Parliament has adopted its position on the Commission’s proposal on New Genomic Techniques (NGTs), which are more targeted and precise than first-generation genetically modified organisms (GMOs), but are currently subject to the same restrictive rules.

MEPs agreed with the proposal to split NGTs into two different categories. NGT plants which are equivalent to plants which could be obtained by conventional breeding would be exempted from the requirements of the GMO legislation.

MEPs also voted to ban patents for all NGT plants, plant material and processes.

“I hope member states will soon adopt their position so we can adopt the new rules before the European elections and give the farmers the tools they need for the green transition,” said rapporteur Jessica Polfjärd MEP.

“The successful integration of new genomic techniques into farming practices will not only drive economic growth but also pave the way for a more sustainable and resilient agricultural sector,” said Garlich von Essen, secretary general of industry association Euroseeds.

Chips JU announces €216M for projects in semiconductors, microelectronics and photonics

The Chips for Europe initiative moves forward with a second round of funding calls worth €216 million under the Chips Joint Undertaking (Chips JU), the European Commission has announced today.

The new calls are aimed at giving a boost to the European semiconductor industry. The goal is to move technologies from the lab to manufacturing faster, as the EU is scrambling to secure a domestic development and production of advanced microelectronics and semiconductors.

The calls target consortia organised around EU companies that are active in these fields. More details about deadlines and how to apply are available here.