July 2009
“Brussels in Brief”:
Highlights on EU policies and funding programmes
related to the knowledge-based economy: The “Lisbon
Strategy”
Le bulletin d'information n'est disponible qu'en anglais
Pour recevoir la newsletter par email, contacter nous
General EU Information
Council of the EU
EU policies and funding programmes for Research, Innovation, Training and Competitiveness
Research Policy
General points
European Research & Innovation projects
ICT
Health
Environment
Agriculture
Nanosciences
Space
Energy
Maritime Affairs
Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Development 2007- 2013 (FP7)
News
European Technology Plateformes
Joint Technology Initiatives
Innovation policy
Education policy
Regional policy
Information society
Other EU Policies and funding programmes supporting the Lisbon Strategy
Environment
Health
Transport
Agriculture and fisheries
Energy
External relations – Enlargement
Maritime Affairs
Maritime Affairs
Research, Innovation, Training and Competitiveness related EU events
List of opened calls for proposals launched by the European Commission
Special chapter on training opportunities
Next Sessions in English in Brussels
Prochaines sessions en français à Paris et Bruxelles
Próximas sesiones en español
-
General EU Information
-
Council of the EU
2009-07-01 - Swedish EU presidency to promote innovation and ERA
The Swedish presidency of the Council of the European Union begins on 1 July and will continue to the end of 2009. The new presidency's work programme has been published, clearly outlining its priorities over the next six months. In addition to tackling the urgent challenges of economy, employment and climate (they will work towards the adoption of a new climate agreement during the international climate negotiations in Copenhagen in December), the work programme stresses strengthening competitiveness by investing in research and education as well as improving the governance of the European Research Area (ERA).
Plus d'information2009-07-10 - Swedish Presidency: research must focus on grand challenges
At a conference on research and innovation held in Lund, Sweden, hosted by the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, approximately 350 researchers, policy makers and representatives from industry and research funding institutions agreed on a declaration stating that European research policy should focus on global 'grand challenges' such as climate change, water shortage and pandemics.
Plus d'information
-
-
EU policies and funding programmes for Research, Innovation, Training and Competitiveness
-
Research Policy
-
General points
2009-07-13 - European Commission and industry to invest € 3.2 billion in economic recovery for a stronger, greener and more competitive economy tomorrow
The European Commission and industry today announced the first round of research calls for proposals injecting €268million in three key market areas in order to trigger economic recovery and make it more sustainable and knowledge-based. A total of €3.2 billion has been earmarked for European public-private partnerships (PPPs) dedicated to develop new technologies in manufacturing, construction and the automotive sectors. These collaborations between the Commission and the industry will foster global competitiveness for European businesses, bring down the excessive energy consumption of Europe's buildings that make up one-third of EU CO 2 emissions, and develop new and sustainable forms of road transport. The three planned partnerships are part of the Commission's European Economy Recovery Plan endorsed by the European Council on December 2008 aiming to promote the convergence of public interest and industry commitment for research.
Plus d'information2009-07-24 - ERC review highlights successes but warns that changes are needed
The European Research Council (ERC) has 'succeeded beyond expectations', according to a newly published review of the ERC's structures and mechanisms during its first two years of operation. Nevertheless, the review panel raises serious concerns about the long-term sustainability of the institution, and calls on the Commission to do all it can to adapt its rules and procedures to the ERC's mission of supporting competitive, frontier research in Europe.
Plus d'information2009-07-30 - Commission launches 53 FP7 calls for proposals
The European Commission has published several calls for proposals in various thematic areas of the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7).
Thematic areas under the Cooperation Specific Programme include:
- 'Health' (three calls);
- 'Food, agriculture and fisheries, and biotechnology' (one call);
- 'Information and communication technologies' (two calls);
- 'Nanosciences, nanotechnologies, materials and new production technologies' (six calls);
- 'Energy' (four calls);
- 'Environment (including climate change)' (one call);
- 'Transport' (six calls);
- 'Socio-economic sciences and humanities' (four calls);
- 'Space' (one call);
- 'Security' (one call).
Calls under the Capacities Specific Programme are dedicated to the following Themes:
- 'Research infrastructures' (two calls);
- 'Research for the benefit of SMEs' (one call);
- 'Regions of knowledge' (one call);
- 'Research potential' (two calls);
- 'Science in society' (four calls);
- 'Activities of international cooperation' (four calls).An additional seven cross-thematic calls combine up to five different Themes. Finally, the European Research Council (ERC) Starting Independent Researcher Grants (three sub-calls) are intended to support up-and-coming research leaders who are about to establish or consolidate a proper research team and to start conducting independent research in Europe.
Plus d'information2009-07-31 - Funding opportunities from the European Commission and the cosmetic industry
In a unique joint effort, the European cosmetic industry has decided to match research funds made available by the European Commission under the 7th RTD Framework Programme.
Plus d'information
The European Commission launched a Call for Proposals on 30 July 2009 asking researchers to submit proposals on the development of a strategy towards alternative solutions to animal testing in the field of repeated dose systemic toxicity. The European cosmetic industry has committed to match the funding given by the European Commission, making a total of EUR 50 million available for this theme. -
European Research & Innovation projects
-
ICT
2009-07-01 - The 'virtual human' healthcare modelA revolution in healthcare treatment and diagnosis may be imminent with a pan-European personalised healthcare project, the Virtual Physiological Human (VPH), a Network of Excellence (NoE). Funded with EUR 72 million under the 'Information and communication technologies' Theme of the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7), the VPH aims to create an entire framework to deliver personalised patient computer models for the predictive healthcare of the future. Success could significantly limit the need for animal testing and patient drug trials.
Plus d'information2009-07-02 - Whiskered robot rat gives tactile sensing a boostWhiskers are an integral component of a rat's life. Without them, rats would have a hard time navigating in their world, as well as orientating and balancing themselves. Now scientists from the Bristol Robotics Laboratory (BRL) - a partnership between the University of the West of England Bristol (UWE Bristol) and the University of Bristol (UoB) - in the UK have developed the innovative 'SCRATCHbot' robot rat that is able to search and identify objects by using its whiskers.
Plus d'information2009-07-03 - Worldwide computing grid set to handle data from CERN's Large Hadron ColliderThe Large Hadron Collider (LHC), the world's most powerful particle accelerator, is expected to produce roughly 15 million gigabytes of data annually once it is up and running at the end of this year. The 'worldwide LHC computing grid' (WLCG), which has the crucial role of supporting this data and making it available to physicists around the globe, has already completed two weeks of continuous operation. The experiment marks the first production demonstration covering the full data cycle, from gathering to analysis.
Plus d'information2009-07-13 - Gaming-with-gaze gives people with disabilities an edgeEuropeans are taking virtual technology to new heights - and the COGAIN ('Communication by gaze interaction') project is a fine example. Supported by the 'Information Society Technologies' (IST) Thematic area of the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6) with EUR
Plus d'information2009-07-14 - Europeans making telecoms security a priorityWhen security enforcement in data systems is not up to par, problems eventually emerge. Data privacy is threatened, which could prove troublesome for users and service providers. Users want to have their personal details protected and service providers want to make sure that consumers pay for whatever they download. Enter the BUGYO project, funded through the European intergovernmental initiative Eureka, which targeted the development of a supervision tool that could check the proper use and control of security.
Plus d'information2009-07-29 - Making smart clothes for improved healthA team of EU-funded researchers has succeeded in embedding sensing devices directly into textiles to create garments that are not only comfortable and practical to wear, but also smart. The devices will help physicians keep an eye on their patients. Healthwear ('Remote health monitoring with wearable non-invasive mobile system') was supported with EUR 990,000 by the EU's eTEN programme. The collaborative project targeted the delivery of a service that provides uninterrupted and ubiquitous monitoring of the health condition of people during their rehabilitation phase.
Plus d'information -
Health
2009-07-02 - Key protein not direct cause of heart disease, study revealsA protein that is widely used as an indicator of a person's heart disease risk does not actually cause heart disease, new research reveals. The findings are important because until now many researchers have viewed C-reactive protein (CRP) as a possible target for heart disease drugs.
Plus d'information2009-07-03 - EU-funded study reveals schizophrenia triggersAn international team of researchers has pieced together the puzzle of the genetics of schizophrenia. Published in the journal Nature, their findings bring to light a number of new 'common single-letter variants' in the sequence of the human genome linked to disease risk.
Plus d'information2009-07-06 - Study reveals new diabetes gene - and its 'off' switchEU-funded scientists have identified a gene associated with a higher risk of diabetes, as well as a 'jumping gene' that disrupts its activity and helps to reduce the risk of diabetes.
Plus d'information2009-07-06 - New EU project to probe standards in European hospitalsThe European Union has provided EUR 3 million for a study into raising the quality and safety standards of EU hospitals. The funding will help a research team develop both a best practice guide for hospitals and a framework for assessing how well they measure against these standards.
Plus d'information2009-07-06 - Researchers use new mass spectrometric technique to analyse metabolitesGerman and Czech researchers have developed a new technique to detect metabolites (substances involved in metabolism) in a quick yet comprehensive manner. Their findings have been published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
Plus d'information2009-07-07 - Study sheds light on vitamin D's anti-cancer propertiesA new EU-funded study increases our understanding of vitamin D's apparent anti-cancer properties. The findings support the need for further clinical trials examining the potential of the active form of vitamin D3 to prevent and treat colon cancer.
Plus d'information2009-07-13 - EU project tackles pain relief without the side effectsThe EU-funded SOS ('Safety of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs') project is working to provide medical professionals with guidance on the risks (both cardiovascular and gastrointestinal) associated with certain painkillers. Ultimately, the project results should help to better protect patients against these side effects.
Plus d'information2009-07-14 - E. coli protein troika discovered to be essential to survivalScientists in Canada, the UK and the US have for the first time found a link between three proteins in Escherichia coli (E. coli) that are necessary for the bacterium's survival. Because one of the genes is also present in the human genome, the findings have implications for the study of essential processes in humans as well. The study was published in the Journal of Bacteriology.
Plus d'information2009-07-15 - Two hearts beat as oneScientists in Germany and the UK have found that a mother's breathing rate affects the synchronisation of her heartbeat with that of her unborn child. The findings, reported in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, were based on a novel mathematical approach that could be used to detect complications early in pregnancy.
Plus d'information2009-07-16 - Parasite genome sequences offer hope of new drugsThe genomes of two parasites that cause the debilitating tropical disease schistosomiasis (also known as bilharzia or snail fever) have been sequenced. The findings are published in two articles in the journal Nature. As well as uncovering possible targets for new drugs, the researchers identify a number of existing drugs that could be effective against the disease.
Plus d'information2009-07-20 - Better communication to help cancer patients and expertsThe EU has backed an initiative that will help patients and healthcare professionals improve their understanding of cancer prevention, treatment and care in Europe. The launch of a new, dedicated website is a key part of the ambitious project.
Plus d'information2009-07-20 - Patterns of genetic changes found in mental retardationDutch and British researchers have shed more light on the connection between genes and mental retardation or intellectual disability. Thanks to their work, they shrank the list of genes whose changes trigger this disorder from thousands to several dozen. The findings are published in the open-access journal Public Library of Science (PLoS) Genetics.
Plus d'information2009-07-22 - Study shows gene variant raises obesity riskAn international team of researchers has found a connection between a variation in a gene active in the central nervous system (CNS) and an increased risk for obesity. The study, published in the journal Public Library of Science (PLoS) Genetics, adds weight to past findings that our genes play a major role in what we want to eat and how much of it, and in our susceptibility to obesity.
Plus d'information2009-07-28 - Rewards and dopamine affect sensory learning, study showsResearchers in Germany, Switzerland and the UK have confirmed the relationship between dopamine levels and sensory 'reward-based' learning in adult humans. The findings, published in the journal PLoS (Public Library of Science) Biology, raise the possibility that dopaminergic drugs might be used together with reward-based training to treat patients with lapsed sensory processes, such as individuals who have suffered a stroke.
Plus d'information2009-07-28 - Study sheds light on natural killer cells' modus operandiEuropean researchers have worked out how 'natural killer' immune cells determine whether a cell is diseased, and so needs to be destroyed, or healthy, in which case it can be left alone. The findings, published in the journal PLoS (Public Library of Science) Biology, could lead to the development of new ways to boost the activity of these cells and treat diseases.
Plus d'information2009-07-29 - Food supplements under the EU microscopePeople across Europe consume food supplements for a variety of reasons: to ensure that they are getting enough nutrients or to rectify a nutritional deficiency that impacts their well-being, for example. But how safe are they? The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has completed a comprehensive assessment on substances used as sources of vitamins and minerals for food supplements that are found on European shelves.
Plus d'information -
Environment
2009-07-27 - Swedish scientists reveal the role of light in lakesCountering the previously held opinion that productivity in lakes is determined by the availability of nutrient sources, new research has now shown that light is in fact responsible for lake production. The findings, published in the journal Nature, also suggest that the landscape of lakes will alter in years to come as a result of climate change.
Plus d'information -
Agriculture
2009-07-17 - Europeans launch mega campaign to assess air pollutionEnvironmentalists are taking a bite out of pollution thanks to one of the largest monitoring campaigns ever launched in Europe. A total of 20 research teams from across Europe have set up sites in Île-de-France (a region containing the Paris metropolitan area) to investigate sources of particulate pollution in the urban environment. Their objective is to quantify and describe these sources using diverse methods such as ground-based observations at permanent sites or from mobile platforms.
Plus d'information2009-07-23 - Ancient barley DNA could lead to new varietiesUK scientists have extracted DNA from 3,000-year-old barley grains from Egypt's Upper Nile region. A genetic analysis of the grains sheds light on ancient farming methods and could aid in the development of new crop varieties that are able to survive climate change. The findings are published in the journal Public Library of Science (PLoS) ONE.
Plus d'information2009-07-23 - € 28 million EU support for the promotion of agricultural productsThe European Commission has approved 16 programmes in 12 Member States (Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Latvia, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom) to provide information on and to promote agricultural products in the European Union. The total budget of the programmes running between one and three years is € 62.1 million, of which the EU will contribute € 27.8 million. The selected programmes cover organic products, dairy products, meat, wine, fruit and vegetables, olive oil, honey and flowers.
Plus d'information -
Nanosciences
2009-07-03 - EU study tackles nanotoxicology dilemmaHow nanoparticle toxicity (i.e. nanotoxicology) affects the health and environment of Europeans is a concern that many researchers are currently investigating. Rising to the challenge is the NHECD ('Nano health-environment commented database') project, funded under the EU's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) to the tune of EUR 1.45 million. The project partners are seeking to create a critical and commented database on the health, safety and environmental impact of nanoparticles. The project coordinator is Professor Oded Maimon from Tel Aviv University with participants from JRC (Italy), IVAM (Netherlands) and tp21 (Germany).
Plus d'information2009-07-22 - EU-funded study follows 'nanoferries' into cellsEU-funded researchers in Germany have succeeded in tracking individual nanoparticles as they make their way into target cells, applying a highly sensitive, real-time microscopic technique that delivers high spatial and temporal resolution. Their findings, reported in the Journal of Controlled Release, were an outcome of the MAGSELECTOFECTION ('Combined isolation and stable non-viral transfection of hematopoietic cells: a novel platform technology for ex vivo hematopoietic stem cell gene therapy') project.
Plus d'information2009-07-27 - New device makes invisibility a realityOne of the first things that come to mind when thinking about Harry Potter and his cloak is ... invisibility. Researchers in Spain have developed a device that makes objects invisible under a certain kind of light. Called 'dc metamaterial', the device brings the inside of the magnetic field down to zero but does not change the exterior field. The results of the study are published in the journal Applied Physics Letters.
Plus d'information -
Space
2009-07-02 - European researchers make advances in solar eclipse studiesEuropean researchers have succeeded in linking solar observations from satellites with ground-based observations. They used state-of-the-art image processing tools to reveal spatial details, effectively showing the structure of the coronal magnetic field. The findings are published in a review in the journal Nature.
Plus d'information2009-07-09 - Europeans develop ultra-fast astronomical cameraScientists at the European Southern Observatory (ESO), working together with researchers from three French laboratories, have developed a new ultra-fast camera that can take 1,500 finely exposed images per second. Called OCam, this camera uses a detector called CCD220 that was developed by e2v Technologies in the UK. The team said OCam will be a major component of the next generation of adaptive optics instruments of the ESO's Very Large Telescope (VLT), in particular for the Spectro-Polarimetric High-contrast Exoplanet Research (SPHERE) instrument.
Plus d'information2009-07-13 - Herschel delivers 'spectacular' resultsEarly trials of the instruments on board the European Herschel satellite have produced spectacular images of the Universe. The results of these test observations were far better than anyone had expected and astronomers are now extremely optimistic about the scientific studies lined up for Herschel over the coming months and years.
Plus d'information2009-07-15 - Europeans reveal smoking gun in cosmic ray acceleration efficiencyAstronomers recognise that cosmic rays - high-energy atomic nuclei (mostly protons) travelling through space at close to the speed of light that hit the Earth's atmosphere - have enough energy to produce defects in electronic components. New research, published in the journal Science, shows that galactic cosmic rays emerge from within the Milky Way, the galaxy containing our solar system. The protons, which move at the Universe's 'ultimate speed limit', have been accelerated to energies that surpass those generated by the Swiss-based Large Hadron Collider at CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research).
Plus d'information -
Energy
2009-07-16 - Study suggests safer energy supplies via SuperSmart GridA new study suggests that Europe could achieve safer supply of energy and climate change mitigation through renewable energy. The study also outlines how a 'SuperSmart Grid' could support long-distance transmission and decentralised energy production. Ultimately, such a grid could enable a complete renewable energy system by 2050. The study is part of CIRCE, a project funded with EUR 10 million under the EU's Sixth Framework Programme (FP6). Scheduled to end in 2011, CIRCE is targeting the development of an assessment of the climate change impacts in the Mediterranean area.
Plus d'information -
Maritime Affairs
2009-07-08 - Scientists aboard a new fishing management projectAn EU-funded project that brings together fishermen and scientists to discuss the problems faced by the fishing industry has completed an evaluation of how scientists and fishermen see their collaboration. The GAP1 ('Bridging the gap between science and stakeholders: phase 1 - common ground') project, funded with EUR 6 million under the 'Science in society' Thematic area of the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7), is the first phase of a programme to develop action plans for marine spatial planning, assess sustainability of resources and fisheries, make ecological marine studies, develop management measures and make decisions on fisheries management.
Plus d'information2009-07-08 - People continue to overexploit fisheriesFisheries not only provide animal protein for human consumption, they also offer direct and indirect employment for some 200 million people worldwide. But a report issued by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warns that 52% of the global fisheries stocks are fully exploited, and that 28% are being overexploited or have already collapsed. Now, an EU-funded study published in the journal PLoS Biology offers readers a look at how management practices affect the sustainability of fisheries.
Plus d'information2009-07-10 - Ozone hole shrinks atmospheric CO2 uptake in Southern OceanResearchers in Europe have discovered that the ozone affects the ocean's role as a carbon sink, a reservoir that absorbs and stores carbon from another part of the carbon cycle. The four sinks are the atmosphere, terrestrial biosphere, oceans and sediments. The findings, published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, will help improve future models developed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) that assesses the scientific, technical and socioeconomic information needed for the understanding of the risk of human-induced climate change.
Plus d'information2009-07-27 - High-speed video reveals how algae swimEU-funded scientists have discovered how individual algal cells change direction while swimming. The scientists used high-speed cinematography to study the motion of the flagella, hair-like appendages that the cells use to propel themselves through the water, in the algal species Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.
Plus d'information
-
-
Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Development 2007- 2013 (FP7)
-
News
Become an expert evaluator for FP7The website to register as an expert for research activities is available on CORDIS. The call for experts is open both for individuals and for organisations.
Plus d'information -
European Technology Plateformes
European Technology Platform on Smart Systems Integration (EPoSS)9 September 2010, Berlin - EPoSS Proposers' Day 2010 "New ICT Work Programme 2011-2012"
Plus d'information
10 September 2010, Berlin - Joint Strategy and Networking Event 2010 "Thinking Ahead the PPP European Green Cars Initiative"
13-16 September 2010, Berlin - 3rd Electronic System Integration Technology Conference
26-28 September 2010, Enschede - Micromechanics and Micro systems Europe Workshop
27-29 September 2010, Brussels - Info ICT 2010: Digitally Driven
28 September 2010, Besançon - MICRONORA
29 September 2010, Brussels - InfoDay about Cooperation Opportunities with Latin America and the Caribbean (EU-LAC) in the 2011 work programmes of FP7
7-8 October 2010, Lisbon - EPoSS General Assembly & Annual Forum
18-20 October 2010, Wisla - International Multiconference on Computer Science and Information Technology
19-20 October 2010, Coventry - MM Live 2010
19-21 October 2010, Dresden - SEMICON Europa 2010
20-21 October 2010, Brussels - 2nd European Conference SmartGrids and E-Mobility
23 November 2010, Brussels - SciTech Europe 2010
30-31 March 2011, Nancy - World Materials Perspectives Summit
11-14 April 2011, Bilbao - ImagineNanoForest Based Sector Technology Platform (Forestry)7-9 September 2010, Brussels - Industrial Technologies 2010 Conference
Plus d'information
22 September 2010, Brussels - FTP Advisory Committee
6-8 October 2010, Salzburg - International Conference on Processing Technologies for the Forest and Bio-based Products Industries
16-18 November 2010, Brussels - European Paper Week - at the core of green growthEmbedded Computing Systems (ARTEMIS)7-9 September 2010, Brussels - European Industrial Technologies Conference
Plus d'information
23-25 September 2010, Novosibirsk - Siberian International Innovative Business Congress
27-29 September 2010, Brussels - ICT 2010
19-21 October 2010, London - Embedded Live
26-27 October 2010, Ghent - Co-summit 2010
16-17 November 2010, Madrid - CATRENE ForumNanoelectronics Technologies 2020 (ENIAC)27-29 September 2010, Brussels - ICTO 2010
Plus d'information
7 October 2010, Lisbon - EPoSS General Assembly
8 October 2010, Lisbon - EPoSS Annual Forum
19-21 October 2010, Dresden - Semicon Europa
26-27 October 2010, Ghent - ARTEMIS & ITEA 2 Co-Summit 2010
16-17 November 2010, Madrid - European Nanoelectronics Forum 2010 (by invitation only)European Rail Research Advisory Council (ERRAC)19 September 2010, Brussels - UITP 125 Years
Plus d'information
21-24 September 2010, Berlin - INNOTRANS
3-9 October 2010, Hong-Kong - International Rail Safety Conference (IRSC)
5-7 October 2010, St Petersburg - TRANSTEC 2010
18-22 October 2010, Nagahama - 10th International Workshop on Railway Noise
25-29 October 2010, Busan - 17th ITS World Congress
26-29 October 2010, Tokyo - 11th Global Level Crossing Symposium
2 November 2010, Brussels - CREAM Final Conference
14-16 November 2010, Fort Lauderdale - IANA Intermodal Expo & NITL TransComp Exhibition
15 November 2010, Beijing - 7th UIC High Speed 2010
25 November 2010, Brussels - Rail Energy Final Conference
30 November-2 December 2010, Amsterdam - Intermodal Europe 2010
29-31 March 2011, Utrecht - 8th International Conference & Exhibition on Rail Technology
6-8 April 2011, Brussels - World Congress on Railway Training
10-14 April 2011, Dubaï - 59th UITP World Congress & Mobility & City Transport Exhibition
22-26 May 2011, Lille - 9th World Congress WCRR
6-9 September 2011, Bern - Suisse TrafficEuropean Road Transport Research Advisory Council (ERTRAC)29 September 2010, Brussels - ERTRAC Steering Group
Plus d'information
4 October 2010, Aachen - ERTRAC-EAGAR workshop at Aachen Colloquium
13 October 2010, Brussels - Member States Representatives meeting
14 October 2010, Brussels - ERTRAC PlenaryEuropean Technology Platform for the Electricity Networks of the Future (SmartGrids)6-10 December 2010, Albuquerque - 4th Internacional Conference on Integration of Renewable and Distributed Energy Resources
Plus d'informationEuropean Technology Platform for the Future of Textiles and Clothing (Euratex)24 September 2010, Brussels - FP7 project brokerage event
Plus d'information
1-2 February 2011, Brussels - PPE Lead Market ConferenceFuel Cells and Hydrogen (FCH)15-16 September 2010, Berlin - CLEAN MOBILITY INSIGHTS Conference
Plus d'information
9-10 November 2010, Brussels - FCH JU Stakeholders General Assembly
15-16 November 2010, Brussels - Strategic Energy Technology Plan conference 2010Industrial Safety ETP (IndustrialSafety)5-9 September 2010, Rhodes - ESREL 2010
Plus d'information
7 September 2010, Brussels - ‘Industrial Technologies’ conference
14-15 September 2010, Warsaw - E-MRS Fall Meeting 2010
29-30 September 2010, Gothenburg - The first FIVE (Fires In VEhicles) Conference
16-18 November 2010, Grenoble - Nanosafe 2010 Conference
14-16 December 2010, Mumbai - The International Conference on Reliability, Safety and Hazards 2010
11-15 September 2011, Istanbul - 19th World Congress on Occupational Health and Safety at WorkIntegral Satcom Initiative (ISI)3-8 September 2010, Berlin - IFA
Plus d'information
9-14 September 2010, Amsterdam - IBC 2010
13-15 September 2010, Cagliari - 5th Advanced Satellite Multimedia Systems Conferences
13-15 September 2010, Cagliari - 11th Signal Processing for Space Communications Workshop
22-24 September 2010, Ostend - 5th EU Security Research Conference
27-29 September 2010, Brussels - ICT 2010
28-30 October 2010, Cartagena de Indias - Cooperation EU-LatAm on Future Internet (Andicom 2010)
30 November-1 December 2010, Amsterdam - PSCE EuropeMobile and Wireless Communications (eMobility)16 September 2010, Venice - eMobility GA6
Plus d'information
17 September 2010, Venice - Joint EX-FI - eMobility meeting to help interested organisations develop proposals for Call 1 of the FI-PPP
22 September 2010, Brussels - Growing GALILEO 2010 - Information Day
26 September 2010, Istanbul - Full-Day Workshop on W-GREEN (in conjunction with PIMRC 2010)
26-30 September 2010, Istanbul - PIMRC 2010 21st Annual IEEE International Symposium on Personal, Indoor and Mobile Radio Communications
27-29 September 2010, Brussels - ICT 2010
16-18 November 2010, Newbury - WWRF Meeting 25
29 November-1 December 2010, Tokyo - Internet of Things
13-15 December 2010, Pune - Beyond the Internet? Innovations for future networks and services
16-17 December 2010, Ghent - Future Internet Assembly 2010
6-9 June 2011, Kyoto - IEEE ICC 2011Nanotechnologies for Medical Applications (NanoMedicine)7-9 September 2010, Brussels - Industrial Technologies 2010 Conference
Plus d'information
9-10 September 2010, Twente - IGS conference: Governing Responsible Nanomedical Innovation
15-17 September 2010, Oslo - The oncology partnering event for biotechs, pharma, investors and academia
3-6 October 2010, Antalya - International Academy on Nanomedicine
14-15 October 2010, Milan - ETP Nanomedicine General Assembly & Annual Forum 2010
18-19 October 2010, Cleveland - 2010 Cleveland NanoMedicine Summit
23-28 October 2010, Sant Feliu de Guixols - ESF-UB Conference in Biomedicine Nanomedicine: Reality Now and Soon
2-3 December 2010, Berlin - 7th International Conference on Biomedical Applications of Nanotechnology
20-25 February 2011, Muenster - Winter school on Concept and application of the Precautionary principle in Nanobiotechnology
11-14 April 2011, Bilbao - ImagineNano
19-24 June 2011, Lutherstadt Wittenberg - 3rd European Science Foundation Summer School in Nanomedicine 2011Networked and Electronic Media (NEM)3-8 September 2010, Berlin - IFA 2010
Plus d'information
9-14 September 2010, Amsterdam - IBC 2010
20-23 September 2010, Brisbane - IFIP - International Conference Network of the Future
27-29 September 2010, Brussels - ICT event 2010
13-14 October 2010, Barcelona - 10th NEM General Assembly
13-15 October 2010, Barcelona - NEM Summit 2010: 3rd NEM Summit
13-16 October 2010, Seoul - The 9th IEEE International Symposium on Mixed and Augmented Reality
16-17 December 2010, Ghent - Future Internet AssemblyNetworked European Software and Services Initiative (NESSI)27-29 September 2010, Brussels - ICT Conference
Plus d'information
22-23 October 2010, Warsaw - e-Challenges
16-17 December 2010, Brussels - EU Collaboration days
16-17 December 2010, Ghent - FIAPhotonics21 (Photonics)6-9 September 2010, Rosario - Speckle 2010
Plus d'information
7-9 September 2010, Brussels - European Industrial Technologies conference
8-10 September 2010, Porto - European Workshop on Optical Fibre Sensors
11-16 September 2010, Egmond aan Zee - 18th International Conference on Advanced Laser Technologies
13-16 September 2010, Karlsruhe - Metamaterials 2010, Fourth International Congress on Advanced Electromagnertic Materials
15-17 September 2010, Odense - Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) Forum Active Ageing: Smart Solutions, New Markets
19-23 September 2010, Torino - ECOC, 36th European Conference and Exhibiton on Optical Communication
20-23 September 2010, Toulouse - SPIE Remote Sensing 2010
26-30 September 2010, Granada - PECs-IX 2010 Ninth International Conference on Photonic and Eletromagnetic Crystal Structures
27-29 September 2010, Brussels - ICT 2010 Conference
28 Septembe 2010, Brussels - Brokerage Event Find your ICT partners face2face
28-29 September 2010, Frankfurt - Strategies in light Europe
11-13 October 2010, Como - APMS 2010 International Conference, Competitive and Sustainable Manufacturing, Products and Services
19-20 October 2010, Aachen - Optics Colloquium
19-21 October 2010, Dresden - Plastic Electronics Conference 2010
3-4 November 2010, Telford - Photonics21 supports the Photonex exhibition and conference
5 November 2010, Brussels - Concertation meeting on biophotonics
7 November 2010, Denver - Photonics21 Executive Board member Roberta Ramponi as speaker at the Annual Meeting of the IEEE Photonics Society
24 February 2011, Brussels - Join Photonics21 at the Annual Meeting 2011 in BrusselsRobotics (EUROP)2 September 2010, Plymouth - Outlook on Personal and Service Robotics
Plus d'information
3-4 September 2010, Clermont-Ferrand - Robotics2010
6-7 September 2010, Canterbury - ROBOSEC 2010
6-8 September 2010, Lecce - FAC 7th Symposium on Intelligent Autonomous Vehicles IAV 2010
7-9 September 2010, Brussels - European Industrial Technologies Conference
8-10 September 2010, Coimbra - Controlo’2010
8-10 September 2010, Newcastel - The International Conference on Ageing, Disability and Independence (ICADI)
9 September 2010, Copenhagen - International Conference on Playware and Robotics
12-15 September 2010, Viareggio - RO-MAN2010
15-17 September 2010, Odense - AAL Forum - Active Ageing: Smart Solutions, New Markets
16-17 September 2010, Bratislava - Robotics in Education (RiE) 2010
19 September 2010, Madeira Island - IEEE ITSC2010
21-24 September 2010, Karlsruhe - KI 2010
23-25 September 2010, Cluj-Napoca - ROBOTICS'10
26-29 September 2010, Tokyo - IEEE BioRob 2010
27-28 September 2010, Brussels - ICT Finance Market Place
27-29 September 2010, Brussels - ICT 2010
4-6 October 2010, Osaka - ICAM 2010
5-7 October 2010, Montréal - CARPI 2010
15-16 October 2010, Phoenix - ROSE 2010
18-22 October 2010, Taipei - IROS 2010
25-29 October 2010, Malaga - BRICS Research Camp on Best Practice in Mobile Manipulation
1-3 Novembre 2010, Lausanne - DARS 2010
3-4 November 2010, Winterthur - International Mechatronics Forum 2010
10-11 November 2010, Herzelia - The 3nd Israeli Conference on Robotics
10-12 November 2010, Shanghai - ICIRA 2010
15-18 November 2010, Darmstadt - SIMPAR 2010
17-19 November 2010, Milan - ROBOTICA 2010
24-25 November 2010, Singapore - ICSR 2010European Technology Platform for Sustainable Chemistry (SusChem)20 September 2010, Brussels - SusChem brokerage event
Plus d'information
17-18 February 2011, Barcelona - Sustainable chemistry, innovative and competitive companiesSustainable Nuclear Energy Technology Platform (SNE-TP)7 September 2010, Brussels - 9th meeting of the ESNII Task Force
Plus d'information
13 September 2010, Brussels - 1st meeting of the ESNII Team
14-15 September 2010, location TBD - 2nd SNETP General Assembly and 6th meeting of the SNETP Governing Board
20-21 September 2010, Genoa - 9th meeting of the SNETP Executive Committee
7 October 2010, Petten - 2nd meeting of the Working Group on Gen II / III reactor R&D
15-16 November 2010, Brussels - High-level conference on the SET Plan organised by the Belgian EU PresidencyWater Supply and Sanitation Platform (WSSTP)8-9 September 2010, Braunschweig - International Conference on Fluvial Hydraulic 2010
Plus d'information
12-16 September 2010, Krakow - IAH Congress on Gorundwater Quality Sustainability
13-16 Sepember 2010, Munich - EWA Symposium on Sustainable wastewaer management New strategies, technologies and Innovative solutions
13-16 Sepember 2010, Munich - IFAT 2010
19-23 September 2010, Montreal - IWA 2010
20-23 September 2010, Timisoara - IAHR Symposium on Hydraulic Machinery and Systems
29 September 2010, Brussels - Intergroup Water
9-13 October 2010, Abu Dhabi - ISMAR7 - Seventh International Symposium on Managed Aquifer Recharge
26 October 2010, Aachen - Nanotechnology meets water treatment Workshop
27 October 2010, Brussels - Intergroup Water
1 December 2010, Brussels - Intergroup Water
6-8 December 2010, Paris - Transboundary Aquifers - Challenges and New DirectionsWaterborne ETP (Waterborne)15 September 2010, Brussels - Support Group Meeting SG 35 + Mirror Group
Plus d'information
17 November 2010, Brussels - Support Group Meeting SG 36 + Mirror GroupZero Emission Fossil Fuel Power Plants Technology Platform (ETP ZEP)7 September 2010, Nowy Sacz - Economic Forum of Young Leaders
Plus d'information
8 September 2010, Rome - ZEROEMISSION 2010
12 September 2010, Montreal - World Energy Congress
19-23 September 2010, Amsterdam - 10th International conference on Greenhouse gas control technologies
21 September 2010, Falkirk - Clean Coal & Carbon Capture and Storage Conference
13 October 2010, Brussels - ZEP 2010 General Assembly -
Joint Technology Initiatives
Embedded Computing Systems (ARTEMISA)7-9 September 2010, Brussels - European Industrial Technologies Conference
Plus d'information
23-25 September 2010, Novosibirsk - Siberian International Innovative Business Congress
27-29 September 2010, Brussels - ICT 2010
19-21 October 2010, London - Embedded Live
26-27 October 2010, Ghent - Co-summit 2010
16-17 November 2010, Madrid - CATRENE ForumNanoelectronics Technologies 2020 (ENIAC)27-29 September 2010, Brussels - ICTO 2010
Plus d'information
7 October 2010, Lisbon - EPoSS General Assembly
8 October 2010, Lisbon - EPoSS Annual Forum
19-21 October 2010, Dresden - Semicon Europa
26-27 October 2010, Ghent - ARTEMIS & ITEA 2 Co-Summit 2010
16-17 November 2010, Madrid - European Nanoelectronics Forum 2010 (by invitation only)Fuel Cells and Hydrogen (FCH)15-16 September 2010, Berlin - CLEAN MOBILITY INSIGHTS Conference
Plus d'information
9-10 November 2010, Brussels - FCH JU Stakeholders General Assembly
15-16 November 2010, Brussels - Strategic Energy Technology Plan conference 2010
-
-
-
Innovation policy
2009-07-08 - Transforming the EU into an innovation society: new blog invites the public to share ideas
An open consultation on EU innovation policy has been set up by the European Commission's Directorate-General for Enterprise and Industry (DG ENTR) in the form of an online Web log (blog). Members of an expert panel have posted their ideas for creating a more innovative Europe, and the public is invited to comment, vote, and share their own ideas between 7 July and 31 August. The feedback will be used by the panel to make recommendations for the Commission's European Plan for Innovation in early autumn.
Plus d'information -
Education policy
2009-07-01 - 10,000 Erasmus Mundus scholarships for 2009-2010
The European Commission has just awarded almost 10,000 new grants to be funded by the Erasmus Mundus programme in the academic year 2009-2010. 8,385 students and academics will come to study or teach in Europe, and 1,561 Europeans will spend periods at partner institutions in countries outside Europe.
Plus d'information2009-07-08 - Going abroad to learn - Commission launches a public consultation on mobility opportunities for young people
The European Commission today published a Green Paper on "Promoting the learning mobility of young people" with the aim of opening up a debate on how best to boost the opportunities for young people in Europe to develop their knowledge and skills by going abroad. Spending a period in another country for studying, learning, work experience or volunteering is one of the fundamental ways in which young people can strengthen their future employability as well as their personal development. With this Green Paper the Commission is launching a public consultation which will be open until 15 December 2009. Responses will be gathered via an online questionnaire and by written submissions.
Plus d'information2009-07-16 - Key data on education in Europe: Longer schooling, fewer pupils and teachers
The European Commission today presented a report identifying both major positive trends and serious challenges for education systems across Europe. Positive news include: the increasing enrolment of 4-year olds in pre-school education, a significant rise in the numbers of students in higher education and a general trend towards longer periods of compulsory schooling. Among the important future challenges to be addressed will be demographic change, which means both fewer children of school age in Europe and teacher retirement on a very large scale in many countries in the near future. The report also states a universal trend to greater autonomy of schools in Europe.
Plus d'information2009-07-30 - Erasmus reaches the 2 million students mark
According to new figures, released today, the EU’s Erasmus programme for mobility and co-operation in higher education, continued its successful course in the academic year 2007/2008 by enabling more than 162 000 European students and 27 000 academics to go abroad to study or teach. For the first time Erasmus has also supported as many as 20 000 students in doing work placements in companies and organisations in other countries and allowed almost 5 000 university staff to pursue training abroad. Student exchanges with Erasmus, counting both studies and placements abroad, grew by 5.2 % compared to 2006/07, while the increase for study mobility alone was of 2.1 %. On the basis of these latest figures, it can be assumed that by mid 2009 Erasmus has exceeded the mark of 2 million students.
Plus d'information -
Regional policy
2009-07-22 - The European Commission proposes simplifying the management of the European Funds to assist regions in tackling the crisis
The European Commission today adopted new measures aimed at simplifying management rules for the Cohesion Policy. In the context of the current crisis, the aim is to boost the European economy by improving the conditions for launching more projects in the regions. As part of the measures to combat the crisis, the Commission may reimburse 100% of the costs declared by the Member States for projects financed by the European Social Fund (ESF) in 2009 and 2010.
Plus d'information -
Information society
2009-07-01 - End of 'roaming rip-off': cost of texting, calling, surfing the web abroad to plummet from today thanks to EU action
As of today, sending a text message from abroad in the EU costs a maximum €0.11, almost three times cheaper than the previous EU average of €0.28 (excl. VAT). To make a roamed call in another EU country must not cost more than €0.43 per minute, and no more than €0.19 to receive a call. From today, outgoing roaming calls will be charged by the second, after the first 30 seconds, rather than by the minute, and incoming calls will be charged by the second from the first second. Holidaymakers and business travellers can also surf the web, download movies or send photos with their mobile without fear of ‘bill shocks’ while roaming thanks to a wholesale cap of € 1 per megabyte (MB) downloaded. All these measures are expected to cut roaming charges for EU consumers by a further 60% and increase mobile phone use. The EU first acted on roaming in 2007 reducing the cost of voice roaming calls by 70%.
Plus d'information2009-07-03 - Adjusting EU ICT standardisation policy to the realities of 21 century
The landscape for ICT (Information and Communication Technology) standardisation has dramatically changed over the last decade. Alongside the traditional standard stetting organisations, specialised and mostly global fora and consortia have become more active and several have emerged as world-leading ICT standards development bodies, such as those responsible for the standards covering the internet and the World Wide Web. This development is not reflected in the EU standardisation policy. Fora and consortia standards cannot currently be referenced, even if they could be of benefit in helping to achieve public policy goals. Without decisive action the EU will fail to master the information society, will not realise a number of important European policy goals which require interoperability such as e-health, accessibility, security, e-business, e-government, transport, etc, and will face obstacles to being a driving force in the development and promotion of international standards for personal data protection as set out in the Communication on the Stockholm programme. The reforms proposed in the White Paper should improve the possibilities to use and reference EU recognised standards in legislation and public procurement. The proposed reforms will also give the EU a bigger influence on international standard setting in the field of ICT.
Plus d'information2009-07-10 - How to transform the "digital dividend" into consumer benefits and up to €50 billion in economic growth for Europe?
The change from analogue to digital TV in Europe will free up radio frequencies for use by new services. The EU is well placed to benefit from this “digital dividend”: Germany, Finland, Luxembourg, Sweden, the Netherlands, Belgium (Flanders) and major areas in Austria have already switched off analogue terrestrial TV transmissions, and other EU countries will follow by 2012 ( IP/09/266 ) . On 12 June, the USA also switched to digital TV transmissions. Unleashing the full potential of the switchover is on top of the EU's telecoms policy agenda as the newly available radio spectrum can improve the way we communicate and access audiovisual content. Used efficiently, it will also bring economies of scale and improve the EU’s competitiveness by increasing innovation in equipment and wireless services, as well as by facilitating access to mobile broadband. Today, the Commission launched a consultation to determine how to better work together at EU level to get the most from this unique opportunity. The consultation will run until 4 September 2009.
Plus d'information2009-07-27 - EU frees new spectrum for new and faster mobile services
Europe took an important step towards a new generation of mobile services today. The Council of Ministers followed the European Parliament in approving a proposal from the European Commission to modernise European legislation – the so-called GSM Directive – on the use of the radio spectrum needed for mobile services. The GSM Directive of 1987 reserves the use of part of the 900MHz spectrum band to GSM (Global System for Mobile or originally Groupe Spécial Mobile) access technologies such as mobile phones. The updated Directive now allows the 900 MHz frequency band to be used to provide faster, pan-European services such as mobile internet while ensuring the continuation of GSM services. This new flexibility will foster stronger competition on Europe's telecoms market and contribute to a more rapid and more widespread roll-out of wireless broadband services, one of the drivers of economic recovery. Industry savings of up to € 1.6 billion are expected from the reform of the GSM Directive. The renewed Directive will enter into force this October. The Commission had proposed the reform of the GSM Directive in parallel to the reform of the EU Telecoms Rules. The reformed GSM Directive is the first of several important Directives in the telecoms sector being negotiated where the agreement of Parliament and Council now paves the way for a stronger wireless economy.
Plus d'information
-
-
Other EU Policies and funding programmes supporting the Lisbon Strategy
-
Environment
2009-07-02 - Air quality: Commission takes decision on Member State requests for additional time to comply with EU air quality standards
The European Commission today adopted nine decisions addressed to Austria, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Greece, Spain, France, Hungary and the Slovak Republic concerning temporary exemptions in 94 zones or agglomerations from the EU's air quality standards for airborne particles known as PM 10. Under the 2008 EU air quality Directive 1 , Member States may, under strict conditions and for specific parts of the country, extend the time for meeting the PM 10 standard until June 2011. The Commission decisions approve the time extensions for 19 air quality zones in Austria, Germany and Hungary and raised objections to the exemptions in all other zones.
Plus d'information2009-07-13 - Many of Europe's most vulnerable species and habitats under threat
Today the Commission published a report on the conservation status of over 1150 species and 200 habitat types protected under EU law. Only a small proportion of these vulnerable habitats and species have achieved good conservation status and Member States will need to strengthen their efforts if this situation is to improve. The report, which covers 2001-2006 and is the most comprehensive survey of EU biodiversity ever undertaken, provides an invaluable reference point for measuring future trends. Grasslands, wetlands and coastal habitats face the greatest threats, mainly due to the decline of traditional patterns of agriculture, tourist development and climate change. The picture is not uniformly gloomy, however, and some larger, emblematic species such as the wolf, Eurasian lynx, beaver and otter are beginning to re-colonize parts of their traditional range. Many Member States invested heavily to carry out the detailed monitoring, and despite a number of gaps, the reporting has been a great success.
Plus d'information2009-07-16 - Commission calls time on sub-standard landfills in the EU
Today marks the deadline for sub-standard landfills in the European Union to comply with EU rules. Member States have had eight years to ensure sites that existed before European legislation on landfills became applicable were brought into line or closed down altogether. The Commission has written to all Member States to remind them of their obligation and to gather data on compliance. Those found to be in breach of the legislation may face legal action. Sub-standard landfills are a hazard to public health and the environment. They have the potential to create air emissions and odours, pollute soil and water, and contaminate the groundwater. From today, Member States are also required to reduce the amounts of biodegradable municipal waste sent to landfills by half of 1995 levels.
Plus d'information2009-07-29 - Europeans overwhelmingly consider the environmental impact of products they buy
Four out of five Europeans say that they consider the environmental impact of the products they buy reveals a Eurobarometer survey published today. Environmental consideration was highest in Greece where more than 9 in 10 of those surveyed said the impact of a product on the environment plays an important aspect in their purchasing decisions. In the same survey Europeans were evenly divided about claims by producers on the environmental performance of their products while nearly half thought that a combination of increased taxes on environmentally-damaging products and decreased taxes on environmentally-friendly products would best promote eco-friendly products. There was also strong support for retailers to play a role in promoting environmentally-friendly products and for mandatory carbon labelling.
Plus d'information -
Health
2009-07-08 - Commission calls for scaling up of seasonal flu vaccination in Europe
Today, the European Commission adopted a proposal for a Council recommendation on seasonal flu vaccination. The proposed recommendation calls on EU countries to ensure that 75% of their elderly population and 75% of people with some specific underlying health problems are vaccinated every year against seasonal flu. This target should be achieved by 2015 at the latest. Vaccination coverage rates in older people vary considerably in Europe ranging from 2% in Lithuania to 80% in the Netherlands. Additional measures mentioned in the proposal include education and training for healthcare workers on seasonal influenza as well as information to those people targeted for vaccination and their families. Each country should report annually to the Commission on the progress they make with vaccination coverage until 2015 and then every 3 years.
Plus d'information2009-07-09 - 'Be Healthy, be yourself' – Commission launches youth health initiative
Involving young people more actively in developing EU health policies is the aim of an initiative launched today by the European Commissioner for Health, Androulla Vassiliou. The initiative kicks off with a conference on Youth Health in Brussels on 9 and 10 July 2009. Over 200 young people, from across Europe, aged 18-25 years will meet with policymakers and health organisations to debate key health issues, such as the consumption of alcohol, tobacco and drugs, or physical activity and mental health. Cross cutting issues, including the financial crisis, inequalities in health, education and the role of the media will also be addressed. The conference is organised jointly with the European Youth Forum and accompanied by a multi-lingual website on the EU health portal which includes a blog where young people can have their say on health.
Plus d'information2009-07-22 - Commission steps up action on Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative conditions
Today, the European Commission adopted concrete proposals to tackle Alzheimer’s disease, dementias and other neurodegenerative conditions. These shared health and social challenges in Europe call for coordinated actions to ensure efficient prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care for those affected. In addition, European countries are also invited to pool their resources and better coordinate their research efforts in the field of neurodegenerative diseases, and Alzheimer’s in particular, by programming their research investments jointly for the first time, instead of each separately. There are currently over seven million people with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders in Europe and it is predicted that this number will double in the next 20 years. It is vital to plan, invest and cooperate in this field today both to control the social costs of these diseases as well as to offer hope, dignity and healthier lives to the millions of sufferers and their families. Today's actions mark important new steps both in the Commission's 'Europe for Patients campaign' and the new approach of Joint Programming in research.
Plus d'information2009-07-22 - Commission approves extra funds to combat Bluetongue and Scrapie
The European Commission decided today to provide additional financial support to the Bluetongue vaccination programmes of various Member States and approved a series of special support measures to help Cyprus better deal with the problem of Scrapie in its sheep and goat populations. Vaccination is the main tool to control Bluetongue and, by extension, to reduce farmer losses and trade disturbances that are attributed to the disease. The additional amount to be made available to Member States for vaccination is approximately 59 million Euros. The special support measures to combat Scrapie in Cyprus will be employed to implement a two-year programme that has been submitted by the Cypriot authorities. More than 5 million Euros will become available in 2009 to assist Cyprus' efforts against Scrapie.
Plus d'information2009-07-23 - Commission calls on EU Member States to join forces against Alzheimer's disease
On 22 July the European Commission called on EU Member States to pool their resources and better coordinate research efforts to combat Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases. The proposals adopted by the Commission follow a 2008 recommendation by the Council of the European Union to launch a joint programming initiative in this field in 2009.
Plus d'information -
Transport
2009-07-22 - Mandates of the European coordinators in the trans-European transport networks sector renewed
The European Commission, on a proposal from Vice-President Tajani, has just renewed the mandates of six coordinators in the trans-European transport networks sector. With this decision, the Commission confirms the European coordinator solution which has proved to be both effective and decisive for Priority Projects where progress has met with difficulties.
Plus d'information -
Agriculture and fisheries
2009-07-06 - Roadmap to boost the European agro-food industry
The EU’s food industry is not excluded from today’s economic downturn. To give this important industry sector fresh impetus, European Commission Vice President Günter Verheugen and Commissioners Mariann Fischer Boel and Meglena Kuneva, today discussed with stakeholders the follow up to the recommendations of the High level Group, which were issued on 17 th March 2009.
Plus d'information2009-07-22 - Milk crisis: Commission proposes measures to stabilise dairy market
The European Commission will continue do all it can to support milk farmers and stabilise the dairy market. In its dairy market situation report, published today, the Commission sets out the catalogue of measures available to help alleviate the very difficult market situation. The Commission will continue to use instruments such as intervention, private storage aid and export refunds. It will allow direct payments to farmers to be paid early and has just launched a new round of dairy promotion programmes. Other potential measures include using levies on producers who exceed their quota to finance voluntary retirement from milk production, and the extension to farmers of the Temporary Crisis Framework for state aid. Member States also have the possibility to redistribute aid to the dairy sector under last year's Health Check agreement, while there are a number of possibilities to help milk farmers within Rural Development policy. The Commission is continuing its examination of potential anti-competitive practices in the food supply chain, especially the dairy sector. In line with the conclusions of the June European Council, the Commission will not reverse decisions already taken on the quota system.
Plus d'information -
Energy
2009-07-02 - Gas Coordination Group identify regional cooperation and filling storages as the best means to mitigate potential gas cuts
The Gas Coordination Group, chaired by the Commission, has analysed in a extraordinary meeting held today in Brussels the progress made by the Member States of the EU and the Energy Community (EnCT) to increase their preparedness to a potential supply disruption. The Commission has stressed the need to fill the storages and seek further regional arrangements ahead of any possible disruption.
Plus d'information2009-07-02 - Hydrogen buses, clean power stations and greener laptops: Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Technology Initiative launches a €140 million call for proposals for cutting-edge research
With today's publication of the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Technology Initiative (JTI)'s second call for proposals for research, Europe stays the course to realise the potential of fuel cell and hydrogen technologies and to create a cleaner energy system for the future. Around €140 million have been allocated to this second call, with €71.3 million by the Commission matched by in-kind contributions of the industrial partners. The 29 project topics aim to put fuel cell and hydrogen energy technologies on the market two to five years sooner than what is estimated without the support it offers. Selected teams of researchers will investigate bottlenecks in the whole range of applications for these energy technologies, from cars to large scale power plants, as well as the whole supply chain from hydrogen production to demonstration of the market-readiness of applications. Breakthrough research should foster the use of hydrogen-fuelled buses and fuel cell vehicles. It will help develop hydrogen storage and improve fuel cells' durability, performance and the cost-efficiency to make green applications such as power stations or laptops ready for the market. This call is the second being launched by this EU-wide collaborative private-public partnership whose total budget amounts around €1bn to be invested by 2014.
Plus d'information2009-07-10 - President Barroso and Commissioner Piebalgs welcome the signature of the Nabucco Intergovernmental Agreement
President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso and Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs welcome the signature in Ankara on Monday of the Nabucco Intergovernmental Agreement, which sets out the terms and conditions under which gas can be exported from the Caspian Sea and the Middle East to the European Union and Turkey. Potentially Nabucco can supply up to 5-10% of European gas demand, but in countries that are currently 100% reliant on one external supply route, it will provide immediate tangible security of supply benefits.
Plus d'information2009-07-16 - Commission proposes to improve transparency on investment projects into EU energy infrastructure
The European Commission adopted today a proposal for a regulation to receive better information on investment projects into energy infrastructure within the EU. This will establish greater transparency on the likely evolution of energy infrastructure in main energy sectors such as oil (including biofuels), electricity (including nuclear electricity) and gas, but also in related areas such as the transport and storage of carbon related to energy production. Transparency on planned and ongoing investment projects will help to assess whether there is a risk of infrastructure gaps over the coming years as a significant proportion of ageing capacities have to be renewed or new capacities have to be built in order to make the low carbon energy mix a reality.
Plus d'information2009-07-16 - The Commission adopts new rules to prevent and deal with gas supply crises
The European Commission today has adopted a new regulation to improve security of gas supplies in the framework of the internal gas market. The proposed Regulation would strengthen the existing EU system for gas supply security by ensuring that all Member States and their gas market players take effective action well in advance to prevent and mitigate the consequences of potential disruptions to gas supplies. It also would create mechanisms for Member States to work together to deal effectively with any major gas disruptions which might arise.
Plus d'information2009-07-17 - Commission welcomes the recommendations presented in the first activity report of the EU Nuclear Safety Regulators Group (ENSREG)
European Commissioner for Energy, Mr Piebalgs welcomed the first activity report of the European Nuclear Safety Regulators Group (ENSREG), presented today by the group's chairman, Mr Stritar. The broader objective of the Group's work is to contribute to maintaining and further improving the safety of nuclear installations and the safe management of spent fuel and radioactive waste. The report presents Group's discussions and recommendations covering nuclear safety, waste management and transparency aspects. It acknowledges the positive and important contribution of the ENSREG's framework over the last two years to improving the communication and information-sharing between European nuclear safety regulators.
Plus d'information2009-07-22 - Commission adopts four ecodesign regulations that will save the equivalent power consumption of Austria and Sweden
The European Commission adopted today four ecodesign regulations to improve the energy efficiency of industrial motors, circulators, televisions, refrigerators and freezers. The regulations lay down energy efficiency requirements which will save about 190 TWh per year by 2020, which is comparable to the combined annual electricity consumption of Sweden and Austria.
Plus d'information -
External relations – Enlargement
2009-07-09 - EU-Russia research cooperation good but could be better, says report
EU-Russia cooperation works well and Russian partners' contribution to EU-funded projects is highly appreciated by EU partners. Nevertheless, much needs to be done to boost Russian participation in the EU framework programmes and to integrate them fully into the European Research Area (ERA).
Plus d'information2009-07-30 - EU-African Union Scientific Partnership: €63 million to support research for Africa
Today, the European Commission launched a call for proposals entirely dedicated to research for Africa. Africa continues to face serious challenges to sustain its development and research can develop solutions. This special initiative for Africa will address some of the science and technology objectives included in the EU-Africa Strategic Partnership agreed on by the European Commission and the African Union Commission in December 2007. Up to €63 million will be allocated to research projects in 2010 aiming to improve health conditions, and water and food security in Africa. Supported research activities will involve African partners, with the aim to strengthen Africa's research base.
Plus d'information -
Maritime Affairs
2009-07-03 - Tuna governance advances, but capacity is still 'the' issue
The European Commission welcomes the strong endorsement given by the international community to the 'Kobe process' to improve and streamline international management of high-seas tuna fisheries at a meeting in San Sebastian, Spain, which closed earlier today. Positive results include steps to accelerate the alignment of the regulation of these fisheries throughout the world on those standards which constitute current best practice. However, the Commission regrets the fact that the representatives of contracting parties to the five tuna Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs) concerned proved unable to reach consensus on immediate action to freeze the capacity of the global tuna fleet.
Plus d'information2009-07-08 - Commission looking for joint actions to tackle economic crisis
The European Commission held a two-day discussion with representatives from Member States, captains of maritime transport and the European Investment Bank in order to discuss the impact of the economic crisis on maritime transport industries. Together they reviewed the contribution of European actions aimed at helping the sector cope with and overcome difficulties resulting from the economic crisis. The discussions took place in the framework of the annual meeting of stakeholders and experts on Short Sea Shipping and Motorways of the Sea, gathering also accession and EFTA countries and Shortsea promotion centres.
Plus d'information2009-07-29 - Commission adopts innovative plan to protect anchovy stock in Bay of Biscay
The European Commission today adopted a proposal for a long-term plan to manage the anchovy stock in the Bay of Biscay. The aim of the plan is to maintain the stock at a level that allows it to be exploited sustainably, while at the same time delivering stability and profitability for the fishing sector. Since anchovy is a short-lived species, the plan is based on a simple rule for setting annual fishing possibilities on the basis of scientific advice received just before the fishing season should open on 1 July each year. This approach has been promoted by stakeholders, and should considerably facilitate the management of the fishery and reduce uncertainty for fishermen.
Plus d'information2009-07-30 - "The ocean of tomorrow": €34 million dedicated to multidisciplinary research projects to reconcile maritime activities with the preservation of seas and oceans
Today, the European Commission launched "The ocean of tomorrow " call for research proposals. Oceans cover about 70% of the Earth's surface, but human activity is increasing environmental pressure on them. This is threatening both marine ecosystems and sustainable maritime activities. The objective of this call for proposals is to help us understand how arctic and marine ecosystems respond to a combination of natural and human-induced factors. This should provide a scientific basis for sustainable management measures, supporting policies and possible related technologies. Up to €34 million will be allocated to large multidisciplinary research projects involving partners from different countries and research fields. It is a concrete example of the cross-thematic approach recommended by the European Strategy for Marine and Maritime Research, adopted in September 2008.
Plus d'information -
Maritime Affairs
2009-07-03 - Tuna governance advances, but capacity is still 'the' issue
The European Commission welcomes the strong endorsement given by the international community to the 'Kobe process' to improve and streamline international management of high-seas tuna fisheries at a meeting in San Sebastian, Spain, which closed earlier today. Positive results include steps to accelerate the alignment of the regulation of these fisheries throughout the world on those standards which constitute current best practice. However, the Commission regrets the fact that the representatives of contracting parties to the five tuna Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs) concerned proved unable to reach consensus on immediate action to freeze the capacity of the global tuna fleet.
Plus d'information2009-07-08 - Commission looking for joint actions to tackle economic crisis
The European Commission held a two-day discussion with representatives from Member States, captains of maritime transport and the European Investment Bank in order to discuss the impact of the economic crisis on maritime transport industries. Together they reviewed the contribution of European actions aimed at helping the sector cope with and overcome difficulties resulting from the economic crisis. The discussions took place in the framework of the annual meeting of stakeholders and experts on Short Sea Shipping and Motorways of the Sea, gathering also accession and EFTA countries and Shortsea promotion centres.
Plus d'information2009-07-29 - Commission adopts innovative plan to protect anchovy stock in Bay of Biscay
The European Commission today adopted a proposal for a long-term plan to manage the anchovy stock in the Bay of Biscay. The aim of the plan is to maintain the stock at a level that allows it to be exploited sustainably, while at the same time delivering stability and profitability for the fishing sector. Since anchovy is a short-lived species, the plan is based on a simple rule for setting annual fishing possibilities on the basis of scientific advice received just before the fishing season should open on 1 July each year. This approach has been promoted by stakeholders, and should considerably facilitate the management of the fishery and reduce uncertainty for fishermen.
Plus d'information2009-07-30 - "The ocean of tomorrow": €34 million dedicated to multidisciplinary research projects to reconcile maritime activities with the preservation of seas and oceans
Today, the European Commission launched "The ocean of tomorrow " call for research proposals. Oceans cover about 70% of the Earth's surface, but human activity is increasing environmental pressure on them. This is threatening both marine ecosystems and sustainable maritime activities. The objective of this call for proposals is to help us understand how arctic and marine ecosystems respond to a combination of natural and human-induced factors. This should provide a scientific basis for sustainable management measures, supporting policies and possible related technologies. Up to €34 million will be allocated to large multidisciplinary research projects involving partners from different countries and research fields. It is a concrete example of the cross-thematic approach recommended by the European Strategy for Marine and Maritime Research, adopted in September 2008.
Plus d'information
-
-
Research, Innovation, Training and Competitiveness related EU events
-
List of opened calls for proposals launched by the European Commission
To consult our updated table of calls, click on our dedicated webpage below
Plus d'information
-
Special chapter on training opportunities
Next Sessions in English in Brussels
How to write a successful proposal under FP7 ?
Date : mercredi 13 oct 2010
A step-by-step methodology towards success.
Training being held by former EC Officers having hands on experience in EU R&D projects.
Venue : Brussels - training language : English
Price : 590€ VAT excl
Financial aspects of FP7contracts
Date : jeudi 14 oct 2010
Understand the financial rules of the game.
Training being held by former EC Officers having hands on experience in EU R&D projects.
Venue : Brussels - training language : English
Price : 590€ VAT excl
How to write a successful proposal under FP7 ?
Date : mardi 09 nov 2010
A step-by-step methodology towards success.
Training being held by former EC Officers having hands on experience in EU R&D projects.
Venue : Brussels - training language : English
Price : 590€ VAT excl
Financial aspects of FP7contracts
Date : mercredi 10 nov 2010
Understand the financial rules of the game.
Training being held by former EC Officers having hands on experience in EU R&D projects.
Venue : Brussels - training language : English
Price : 590€ VAT excl
Prochaines sessions en français à Paris et Bruxelles
Le montage de projets européens de recherche
Date : mercredi 20 oct 2010
Comment rédiger une proposition réellement compétitive ? Conseils stratégiques et méthodologiques.
Formations dispensées par d’anciens "Project Officers" de la Commission européenne ayant une expérience pratique des projets européens de R&D.
Lieu : Paris - Langue de formation : Français
Prix : 590€ HTVA
Les contrats européens de recherche : module financier
Date : jeudi 21 oct 2010
Session d'approfondissement - Comprendre les règles financières sous le 7ème Programme-Cadre de Recherche et Développement. Comment préparer votre budget? Comment gérer votre budget?
Formations dispensées par d’anciens "Project Officers" de la Commission européenne ayant une expérience pratique des projets européens de R&D.
Lieu : Paris - Langue de formation : Français
Prix : 590€ HTVA
Le montage de projets européens de recherche
Date : mercredi 24 nov 2010
Comment rédiger une proposition réellement compétitive ? Conseils stratégiques et méthodologiques.
Formations dispensées par d’anciens "Project Officers" de la Commission européenne ayant une expérience pratique des projets européens de R&D.
Lieu : Paris - Langue de formation : Français
Prix : 590€ HTVA
Les contrats européens de recherche : module financier
Date : jeudi 25 nov 2010
Session d'approfondissement - Comprendre les règles financières sous le 7ème Programme-Cadre de Recherche et Développement. Comment préparer votre budget? Comment gérer votre budget?
Formations dispensées par d’anciens "Project Officers" de la Commission européenne ayant une expérience pratique des projets européens de R&D.
Lieu : Paris - Langue de formation : Français
Prix : 590€ HTVA