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 «Brussels in Brief - Interface Europe’s Newsletter» - August 2009

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  General EU Information

  • European Parliament

    2009-08-31 - Plenary Session

    No plenary session in August.

    Further information
• 

  EU policies and funding programmes for Research, Innovation, Training and Competitiveness

  • Research Policy

    • European Research and Innovation projects

      • ICT

        2009-08-12 - Infrared thermography finds niche in plastics

        Researchers at the Spanish Toy Technological Institute (AIJU) have found that infrared thermography is a technique that can be used in the plastics industry, specifically for process optimisation and quality improvement. The research is part of the EU-funded CUSTOM-FIT ('A knowledge-based manufacturing system, established by integrating rapid manufacturing, IST (information society technologies) and material science to improve the quality of life of European citizens through custom fit products') project. Supported under the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6), financing for CUSTOM-FIT stands at EUR 9.25 million.

        Further information
        2009-08-14 - BRIDGE shows why supply chain traceability matters

        The results of Pharma Traceability, a pilot of the EU-funded BRIDGE ('Building radio frequency identification solutions for the global environment') project, are in. Referred to as Work Package 6 of BRIDGE, which is supported with EUR 7.5 million under the EU's Sixth Framework Programme (FP6), Pharma Traceability is the first to kick-start a global supply chain-wide traceability system based on mass serialisation techniques. Its objective? To implement a track-and-trace solution bolstering patient safety in the branded and generic pharmaceutical supply chain for all types of pharmaceutical products.

        Further information
        2009-08-19 - ASISKNOWN gives consumers a virtual boost

        How can we bridge gaps between producers, trade facilities and consumers? Now the ASISKNOWN ('A semantic-based knowledge flow system for the European home textiles industry') project, which is backed by the EU with EUR 2.38 million in funding, is showcasing an integrated knowledge and content flow system that can fuel knowledge exchange and use across multimedia applications. ASISKNOWN is supported under the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6).

        Further information
        2009-08-26 - UK investment helps European Bioinformatics Institute prepare for ELIXIR project

        The European Bioinformatics Institute (EBI) has received GBP 10 million (EUR 11.4 million) from the British Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) to dramatically increase EBI's data storage and handling capacity. This substantial investment will help fuel the success of ELIXIR ('European life-science infrastructure for biological information'), a large-scale, EU-funded, data-storage project.

        Further information
        2009-08-31 - MEDEA+ project offers better solution for automotive sector

        Zuken, a Japanese electrical and electronic engineering company, announced that it has improved the development process and modelling of new chip sets as well as dedicated high-density interconnect (HDI) for its high-speed design software: CR-5000 Lightning for Power Integrity Analysis.

        Further information

      • Health

        2009-08-03 - How does stress influence bad decision-making?

        Portuguese and US researchers have discovered the link behind stress and bad decision-making. Their findings, published in Science, show that chronic stress freezes us into an automatic response mode, preventing us from considering potentially more suitable and beneficial responses.

        Further information
        2009-08-04 - New fluorescent probe technique gives hope for killer lung disease

        A team of researchers in Germany has used a new technique to shed light on the development of chronic inflammatory lung diseases such as emphysema and bronchitis. The study, which was partly funded by the EU, is published in the journal Nature Chemical Biology.

        Further information
        2009-08-04 - Scientists identify new epilepsy gene in mice

        A gene that causes epilepsy in mice has been identified by an international team of scientists. The human version of the gene is almost identical to the mouse version, and so the findings could eventually lead to the development of new, anti-epileptic drugs. The study is published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).

        Further information
        2009-08-06 - EU-funded study: elevated cholesterol in 40s raises late-life dementia risk

        The risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia is greater for people who had elevated blood cholesterol when they were in their 40s compared with those whose cholesterol levels were at optimal levels, an EU-funded study has found. The research results, funded in part by the EU's Marie Curie Early Stage Training (EST) Programme, are published in the journal Dementia & Geriatric Cognitive Disorders.

        Further information
        2009-08-06 - Scientists identify jumping genes in human brain

        Researchers have discovered that the human brain is home to large numbers of so-called 'jumping genes'. The findings have implications for our understanding of brain development and individuality, and could shed new light on the causes of neurological diseases. The work, which is published online by the journal Nature, was partly supported by a Marie Curie researcher mobility grant from the EU's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7).

        Further information
        2009-08-10 - GENOMEL project tackles melanoma

        Researchers in the GENOMEL ('Genetic and environmental determinants of melanoma: translation into behavioural change') project, funded under the EU's Sixth Framework Programme (FP6) to the tune of EUR 10.45 million, are investigating the genetic and environmental risk factors for melanoma. Initial results are in and have been published in the journal Nature Genetics.

        Further information
        2009-08-18 - Why some tolerate malaria better than others

        A team of researchers from Portugal and the US has shown how an antioxidant enzyme that occurs naturally in the body plays an important role in helping individuals to tolerate the malaria-causing parasite Plasmodium. The findings, funded in part by the EU and published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), offer a new approach to treatment of this deadly disease.

        Further information
        2009-08-18 - Study reveals factors behind blood vessel cells' fate

        EU-funded researchers have identified a mechanism that controls the fate of cells that make up blood vessel walls. The findings could lead to the development of new drugs to promote blood vessel repair and treat diseases of the blood vessels.

        Further information
        2009-08-19 - Diagnosing endometriosis accurately - without surgery

        A quick, accurate and non-invasive test for endometriosis is being developed by two separate research teams from Australia and Jordan, and Belgium and Hungary. Two studies published in the journal Human Reproduction show that it is possible to diagnose the condition accurately without resorting to a surgical procedure.

        Further information
        2009-08-21 - Nanog protein essential for 'reprogramming' adult cells into stem cells

        EU-funded scientists in Japan and the UK have shed new light on how stems cells develop into other types of cells. Their discovery that a protein called Nanog lies at the heart of a mechanism that gives stem cells their remarkable properties has important implications for the future use of stem cells in medical applications. The results are published in the journal Cell.

        Further information
        2009-08-24 - Guess who's coming to dinner? White blood cells feed Leishmania parasites, study finds

        Scientists in the UK have gained new insights into the way Leishmania parasites, which infect close to 12 million people worldwide, increase their rate of survival during the initial stages of infection. The results, published in the journal Public Library of Science (PLoS) Pathogens, could help in the development of new vaccines against the most common form of this disfiguring disease.

        Further information
        2009-08-25 - Parkin protein protects neurons and their energy supply

        Recent research has revealed that defects in Parkinson-associated genes are the cause of approximately 10% of Parkinson's disease (PD) cases, while other studies have shown that damaged mitochondria (which are often described as the power plants of cells) could be another cause. A new study by researchers in Germany connects both phenomena, effectively showing the importance of two Parkinson-associated genes in maintaining mitochondrial function. The results are published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry.

        Further information
        2009-08-27 - Uncovering the roots of the placebo effect

        A German research team has shown that ancient neural pathways in the human brainstem are involved in the 'placebo effect', the well known medical phenomenon that occurs when a patient feels less pain after being given what he or she thinks is a painkiller but is, in fact, a medically inactive substance.

        Further information

      • Environment

        2009-08-07 - How nature's glue affects atmospheric chemistry

        Organic carbon compounds released by trees are impacting air quality, new research shows. Scientists from Denmark, New Zealand and the US have discovered that the oxidation of isoprene, a hydrocarbon, is generating gas- and aerosol-phase products, and in turn impacting global warming. The results are published in the journal Science.

        Further information
        2009-08-17 - Researchers QUANTIFY climate impact of transport systems

        EU-funded researchers have issued a report estimating the impact of road, aircraft and shipping emissions on the Earth's atmosphere. The report is part of the QUANTIFY ('Quantifying the climate impact of global and European transport systems') project, which has received EUR 8.39 million in financial support under the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6). The QUANTIFY partners are seeking to work out the current and future climate impact of European and international transport systems.

        Further information
        2009-08-20 - Smarter investment in climate science for long-term savings

        The costs of adjusting to climate change could be reduced by up to 20% worldwide if investment in targeted research is made now. This was the conclusion of a study conducted by UK scientists on temperature change predictions, published in the Bulletin for the American Meteorological Society.

        Further information
        2009-08-21 - Researchers reconstruct Amazon River history

        Researchers from Brazil, the Netherlands and the UK have shed new light on the history of the Amazon River. Published in the journal Geology, their findings indicate that the Amazon River emerged as a transcontinental river some 11 million years ago and developed into its current shape almost 2.4 million years ago.

        Further information
        2009-08-31 - European researchers study urban heat islands on bikes, from the air and from space

        This summer, research teams studied the climate-change-related phenomenon of 'urban heat islands' using bicycle-mounted equipment in the Netherlands and ground-based and airborne technologies over Greece. Both investigations are part of a wider effort to understand, mitigate and adapt to rising temperatures in European cities.

        Further information

      • Agriculture

        2009-08-07 - A/H1N1 virus rears its ugly head in... pigs

        Researchers in Germany have added a twist to the pandemic currently affecting humans: the influenza virus A/H1N1 has been shown to be infectious in pigs and to spread quickly in a trial pig population. Published in The Journal of General Virology, the results of the study are part of the EU-funded EPIZONE ('Network on epizootic disease diagnosis and control') project, which is supported under the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6) to the tune of EUR 14 million

        Further information
        2009-08-26 - How does your garden grow?

        A team of EU-funded researchers in Germany has discovered the signalling pathway that is responsible for telling plants when to flower, even when there is no external stimulus such as the beginning of spring. The findings were an outcome of the SIROCCO ('Silencing RNAs: organisers and coordinators of complexity in eukaryotic organisms') project, which was funded with EUR 11.8 million through the 'Life sciences, genomics and health' Thematic area of the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6) to study the functional genomics of silencing RNAs.

        Further information
        2009-08-27 - NEMO finding new biofuel solutions

        A new EU-funded project aims to develop economically and environmentally efficient techniques for the production of biofuels. Called NEMO ('Novel high-performance enzymes and micro-organisms for conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to bioethanol'), the initiative will generate new ways of converting agricultural and forestry waste, such as straw and wood chips, into liquid biofuels.

        Further information
        2009-08-28 - Innovative technology for fresher, better food

        Consumers want fresh, safe and good-quality food. But how can producers consistently meet their demands? Researchers in Germany have developed a new system based on metal-oxide sensor technology that could check food quality and safety in a quick yet cost-effective and reliable way.

        Further information

      • Transport

        2009-08-24 - SAFESPOT targets better road safety

        How can we improve road safety? The answer, say European researchers, is to use cooperative systems technology to detect in advance potentially dangerous situations. The EU-funded SAFESPOT ('Cooperative systems for road safety "Smart Vehicles on Smart Roads") project is developing this technology by using infrastructure and vehicles to communicate safety-related information. The project's 'Safety margin assistant' will extend drivers' awareness of the surrounding environment. SAFESPOT is funded under the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6) to the tune of almost EUR 21 million.

        Further information

      • Nanosciences

        2009-08-05 - New EU project links up top formulation-science experts

        A new EU-funded project is set to link up the world's leading formulation-science experts in a single network. Dubbed INFORM ('Integrating the nanoscale in formulations'), the 3-year, EUR 1.7 million project is funded under the EU's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7).

        Further information
        2009-08-19 - Trapped electrons spell longer life

        Researchers in France, Germany, Switzerland and the UK have discovered new electron properties that could lead to useful applications in computers and lasers. The study, published in the journal Nature Materials, was funded in part by the IA-SFS ('Integrating activity on synchrotron and free electron laser science') project, which was supported through the 'Research Infrastructures' Thematic area of the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6).

        Further information

      • Space

        2009-08-20 - EU project to speed up fight against forest fires worldwide

        The recent forest fires in Portugal and northern Spain as well as the massive floods in Taiwan have highlighted the importance of responding quickly to natural disasters. The EU-funded project SAFER ('Services and applications for emergency response') is working to make this possible by providing rapid mapping of disaster-prone areas and other tools to help optimise disaster response.

        Further information

      • Energy

        2009-08-21 - Study finds mines can work for geothermal power

        Is there light at the end of the tunnel for mine shafts slated for closure? Two Spanish engineers say there is, noting that they could be the sites for geothermal energy providing power to towns that need it. Writing in the journal Renewable Energy, the researchers describe the tool that enabled them to estimate the amount of heat a tunnel could potentially offer industry and households.

        Further information

      • Maritime Affairs

        2009-08-03 - Study offers hope for fisheries

        It should be possible to save the world's fisheries from collapse by applying the right mix of fisheries management techniques, according to an international study published in the journal Science. However, the researchers warn that the road to recovery will not be easy, and catches (and incomes) may suffer in the short term in certain areas.

        Further information
        2009-08-03 - Seals brave climate change and win

        Some of Earth's creatures lost the fight against climate and habitat change thousands of years ago, but the southern elephant seals proved they had the evolutionary and demographic edge needed to survive. New international research shows these seals established a new breeding site thousands of kilometres from existing breeding grounds in order to save themselves. The findings were published in the journal Public Library of Science (PLoS) Genetics.

        Further information
        2009-08-05 - International help for the Galapagos coral reefs

        A major international project led by the UK's University of Southampton will result in better protection for some of the world's rarest coral reefs around the Galapagos Islands in the Pacific Ocean, while maintaining the economies that depend on them.

        Further information
        2009-08-17 - Arctic warming triggering methane release, study reveals

        Rising temperatures in the Arctic are triggering the release of methane from the seabed, according to new research by German and British scientists published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters.

        Further information
        2009-08-24 - Shark teeth give clues to history of North Sea

        An analysis of fossilised shark teeth reveals that the North Sea was once cut off from the rest of the world's oceans. For a period of 2 to 4 million years, salinity fell until the sea was less salty than many lakes, resulting in a dramatic loss of biodiversity. The findings, by a team of scientists in Germany, Oman and the UK, are published in the Journal of the Geological Society.

        Further information

    • Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Development 2007- 2013 (FP7)

      • News

        Become an expert evaluator for FP7

        The 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.

        Further information

      • European Technology Platforms

        Advanced Engineering Materials and Technologies (EuMaT)

        No events planned

        Further information
        Advisory Council for Aeronautics Research in Europe (ACARE)

        No events planned

        Further information
        European Technology Platform for Wind Energy (TPWind)

        No events planned

        Further information
        European Technology Platform on Smart Systems Integration (EPoSS)

        2-3 February 2012, Besancon - dMEMS 2012
        20 March 2012, Zurich - MEMS Executive Congress Europe
        20-21 March 2012, Berlin - Microsys Berlin - micro-optics and micro-optical systems convention
        21-22 March 2012, Zurich - SSI 2012: International Conference & Exhibition on Integration Issues of Miniaturized Systems
        10-13 April 2012, Brussels - Graphene Conference 2012
        8-10 May 2012, Nuremberg - SMT Hybrid Packaging - System Integration in Micro Electronics
        30-31 May 2012, Berlin - AMAA 2012
        10-14 June 2012, Montecatini Terme - 4th International Conference "Smart Materials, Structures and Systems"
        13-15 June 2012, Graz - EURIPIDES Annual Forum 2012
        26-28 September 2012, Paris - EPoSS General Assembly & Annual Forum 2012

        Further information
        European Technology Platform Food for Life (Food)

        No events planned

        Further information
        Forest Based Sector Technology Platform (Forestry)

        7-8 February 2012, Helsinki - 4th WoodWisdom-Net Research Programme Seminar
        22 February 2012, Basque Country - ROK-FOR Conference: Innovative and Sustainable Wood Arquitecture and Construction
        28 February 2012, Brussels - PROsumer.NET workshop on innovation
        21 March 2012, Copenhagen - International Conference on Research Infrastructures - ICRI2012
        26-29 March 2011, London - Planet Under Pressure 2012 conference
        15 May 2012, place tbc - FTP joint Partnering Event together with COST
        21-24 May 2012, Tours - Tackling climate change: the contribution of forest scientific knowledge
        18 June 2012, Milan - 20th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
        8-13 July 2012, Lisbon - 2012 IUFRO Conference
        23 October 2012, Helsinki - 4th Nordic Wood Biorefinery Conference

        Further information
        Embedded Computing Systems (ARTEMIS)

        1-2 February 2012, Madrid - ITEA 2 PO Preparations Days 2012
        1-3 February 2012, Toulouse - ERTS2 2012
        1-4 February 2012, Vilamoura - HEALTINF 2012
        22-23 February 2012, Stockholm - CELTIC-PLUS EVENT 2012
        28 February-1 March 2012, Nuremberg - ARTEMIS Spring Event 2012
        6-10 March 2012, Hannover - CEBIT 2012

        Further information
        Nanoelectronics Technologies 2020 (ENIAC)

        7-8 February 2012, Frankfurt - Common Brokerage Event
        26-28 February 2012, Munich - ISS Europe 2012 - 25th Anniversary
        12-16 March 2012, Dresden - DATE Conference
        9-11 October 2012, Dresden - SEMICON Europa
        20-21 November 2012, Munich - European Nanoelectronics Forum 2012

        Further information
        European Rail Research Advisory Council (ERRAC)

        17-19 April 2012, Dubai - GulfRail 2012
        23-26 April 2012, Athens - TRA (Transport Arena)
        24-26 April 2012, Stockholm - 10th UIC ERTMS World Conference "ERTMS - Global Dimensions"
        10-13 July 2012, Philadelphia - UIC HIGHSPEED 2012, 8th World Congress on High-Speed Rail
        18-21 September 2012, Berlin - INNOTRANS

        Further information
        European Road Transport Research Advisory Council (ERTRAC)

        14 February 2012, Brussels - Electrification Roadmap workshop
        15 February 2012, Brussels - Steering Group meeting
        15 March 2012, Brussels - ERTRAC Plenary

        Further information
        European Space Technology Platform (ESTP)

        No events planned

        Further information
        European Steel Technology Platform (ESTEP)

        No events planned

        Further information
        European Technology Platform for the Electricity Networks of the Future (SmartGrids)

        No events planned

        Further information
        Future Manufacturing Technologies (MANUFUTURE)

        No events planned

        Further information
        European Technology Platform for the Future of Textiles and Clothing (Euratex)

        29-30 March 2012, Brussels - 7TH ANNUAL PUBLIC CONFERENCE: "FROM FP7 TO HORIZON 2020"

        Further information
        Fuel Cells and Hydrogen (FCH)

        9 February 2012, Brussels - FCH public information session and Brokerage event
        24 April 2012, Paris - Workshop of the International Energy Agency on On-site H2 supply

        Further information
        Industrial Safety ETP (IndustrialSafety)

        No events planned

        Further information
        Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI)

        27 February 2012, Brussels - Open Info Day: 5th Call for proposals

        Further information
        Integral Satcom Initiative (ISI)

        22-23 March 2012, Bradford - PSATS 2012
        10 April 2012, Brussels - 15th ISI General Assembly
        11 April 2012, Brussels - 5th SatCom Event
        18-20 April 2012, Poznana - European Wireless Conference

        Further information
        Mobile and Wireless Communications (eMobility)

        10-11 May 2012, Aalborg - Future Internet Assembly (FIA)
        4-6 July 2012, Berlin - Future Network & Mobile Summit 2012

        Further information
        Nanotechnologies for Medical Applications (NanoMedicine)

        27 February-2 March 2012, Dublin - NanoImpactNet – QNano conference
        29 February-9 March 2012, Saarbrücken - Biological Barriers 2012
        3 April 2012, Brighton - Tissue Regeneration Strategies and Innovative Biomaterials in Orthopaedic Surgery
        16 April 2012, Brussels - Innovation in Healthcare without borders
        19-20 April 2012, Berlin - Spring Conference “Nanomedicine: Visions, Risks, Potential”
        7 May 2012, Basel - European Summit for Clinical Nanomedicine 2012
        18 June 2012, Varese - Nanobio-Europe 2012
        30 June 2012, Thessaloniki - ISSON12 Summer School on Nanosciences & Nanotechnologies:Organic Electronics & Nanomedicine
        3 July 2012, Thessaloniki - NN12 - 9th International Conference on Nanosciences & Nanotechnologies
        15 July 2012, Amsterdam - Colloids and Nanomedicine 2012
        13-15 November 2012, Grenoble - Nanosafe 2012

        Further information
        Networked and Electronic Media (NEM)

        22-23 February 2012, Stockholm - Celtic-Plus-Towards a Smart Connected World
        20 March 2012, Brussels - 13th NEM General Assembly
        10-11 May 2012, Aalborg - Future Internet Assembly
        4-6 July 2012, Berlin - Future Network and MobileSummit 2012

        Further information
        Networked European Software and Services Initiative (NESSI)

        No events planned

        Further information
        Photonics21 (Photonics)

        4-9 February 2012, San Diego - SPIE Medical Imaging 2012
        14-16 February 2012, Munich - FTTH Council Europe 2012
        16 February 2012, London - The Smart Building of the Future
        4-8 March 2012, Los Angeles - OFC/NFOEC 2012
        5 March 2012, Brussels - Intensive Training on Entrepreneurship in Photonics
        27-28 March 2012, Brussels - Photonics21 Annual Meeting 2012
        31 March-3 April 2012, Tunis - 1st EOS Topical Meeting on Photonics for Sustainable Development – Focus on the Mediterranean (PSDM 2012)
        2-4 April 2012, Eindhoven - Photonics PhD Event 2012
        16-20 April 2012, Brussels - SPIE Photonics Europe 2012
        17-20 April 2012, Moscow - Photonics. World of Lasers and Optics 2012
        23-27 April 2012, Baltimore - SPIE Defense, Security and Sensing 2012
        15-17 May 2012, Florence - Fotonica 2012
        5-7 June 2012, Lyon - LumiBat - The international indoor lighting trade fair
        19-21 June 2012, Jena - ICOB 2012
        2-4 July 2012, Amsterdam - SPIE Astronomical Telescopes and Instrumentation 2012
        2-6 July 2012, Thessaloniki - 2nd International Exhibition on Nanotechnologies & Organic Electronics
        4-6 July 2012, Berlin - Future Networks and Mobile Summit
        12-16 August 2012, San Diego - SPIE Optics + Photonics 2012
        17-22 September 2012, St Petersburg - Sixth International Congress on Advanced Electromagnetic Materials in Microwaves and Optics – Metamaterials 2012
        24-27 September 2012, Edinburgh - SPIE Security and Defence + Remote Sensing
        21-22 November 2012, Paris - ForumLED Europe 2012

        Further information
        Photovoltaics (PV Platform)

        No events planned

        Further information
        Plants for the Future (Plants)

        No events planned.

        Further information
        Robotics (EUROP)

        22-23 February 2012, Vienna - CogSys 2012
        5-7 March 2012, Odense - European Robotics Forum 2012
        5-8 March 2012, Boston - HRI 2012
        8-9 March 2012, Megève - The third Augmented Human International Conference (AH 2012)
        19-21 March 2012, Island of Kos - IEEE-ICIT'12 International Conference on Industrial Technology
        11 April 2012, Guimarães - Robotica 2012
        14-18 May 2012, St Paul - ICRA 2012
        22-25 May 2012, Munich - Automatica 2012 - International Trade Fair for Automation and Mechatronics
        4-8 June 2012, Valencia - AAMAS 2012
        18-24 June 2012, Mexico City - RoboCup 2012
        24-28 June 2012, Puerto Vallarta - International Symposium on Robotics and Applications (ISORA 2012)
        24-28 September 2012, Thun - ELROB 2012

        Further information
        European Technology Platform for Sustainable Chemistry (SusChem)

        17-18 April 2012, Brussels - SusChem's 10th Annual Stakeholder Event

        Further information
        Sustainable Nuclear Energy Technology Platform (SNE-TP)

        11–12 January 2012, Paris - NUGENIA Executive Committee n. 1
        30–31 January 2012, Karlsruhe - Executive Committee n. 13
        20 March 2012, Brussels - NUGENIA General Assembly n. 1
        21 March 2012, Brussels - Governing Board n. 9

        Further information
        Water Supply and Sanitation Platform (WSSTP)

        15-16 May 2012, Brussels - “Water Innovation Europe” event

        Further information
        Waterborne ETP (Waterborne)

        22 February 2012, Brussels - SG 42 + Mirror Group
        11 April 2012, Athens - TRA 2012

        Further information
        Zero Emission Fossil Fuel Power Plants Technology Platform (ETP ZEP)

        7 February 2012, London - Carbon Capture and Storage: demonstration programmes and the 2050 roadmap
        14-16 February 2012, Warsaw - COAL: Here to Stay. The Reality of Europe’s Energy Mix
        15 February 2012, Edinburgh - Carbon Capture and Storage Club
        27-28 February 2012, London - Platts 6th Annual European Carbon Capture and Storage Conference
        12-18 March 2012, Leszcze - CGS Europe Spring School on CO2 geological storage
        22-23 March 2012, Shanghai - Asia Green Fossil Power Plant Summit 2012
        26-27 March 2012, Edinburgh - Third EAGE CO2 Geological Storage Workshop: Understanding the Behaviour of CO2 in Geological Storage
        29-30 March 2012, Beijing - 8th Annual Clean Coal Forum 2012
        17 April 2012, Abu Dhabi - Higher Technology Conference
        17-19 April 2012, Venice - 7th CO2GeoNet Open Forum and CGS Europe Workshop
        26-27 April 2012, Brussels - European Business Summit
        15 May 2012, Brussels - 3rd Annual Brussels Carbon Capture and Storage Summit
        15-17 May 2012, Bali - Clean Power Asia 2012
        4-5 June 2012, Malta - Eurelectric Annual Conference
        12-18 August 2012, Beijing - 6th IEAGHG International CCS Summer School
        2 October 2012, Brussels - ZEP General Assembly
        9-10 October 2012, Copenhagen - Global Green Growth Forum
        18-22 October 2012, Pittsburgh - One Young World Summit 2012
        22-26 October 2012, Perth - CSLF Annual Meeting

        Further information

      • Joint Technology Initiatives

        Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI)

        27 February 2012, Brussels - Open Info Day: 5th Call for proposals

        Further information
        Embedded Computing Systems (ARTEMISA)

        1-2 February 2012, Madrid - ITEA 2 PO Preparations Days 2012
        1-3 February 2012, Toulouse - ERTS2 2012
        1-4 February 2012, Vilamoura - HEALTINF 2012
        22-23 February 2012, Stockholm - CELTIC-PLUS EVENT 2012
        6-10 March 2012, Hannover - CEBIT 2012

        Further information
        Nanoelectronics Technologies 2020 (ENIAC)

        7-8 February 2012, Frankfurt - Common Brokerage Event
        26-28 February 2012, Munich - ISS Europe 2012 - 25th Anniversary
        12-16 March 2012, Dresden - DATE Conference
        9-11 October 2012, Dresden - SEMICON Europa
        20-21 November 2012, Munich - European Nanoelectronics Forum 2012

        Further information
        Aeronautics and Air Transport (Clean Sky)

        29 February 2012, Madrid - Clean Sky Info Day - presentation of 2012 work programme
        13 March 2012, Amsterdam - Clean Sky Symposium
        11-16 September 2012, Berlin - ILA Berlin

        Further information
        Fuel Cells and Hydrogen (FCH)

        9 February 2012, Brussels - FCH public information session and Brokerage event
        24 April 2012, Paris - Workshop of the International Energy Agency on On-site H2 supply

        Further information
        2009-09-14 - Innovative Medicines Initiative: putting Europe at the forefront of biopharmaceutical innovation

        Today, the Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI), the public-private partnership between the European Commission and the European pharmaceutical industry, represented by EFPIA, made its first major announcement of the success of the collaboration. IMI announced the topics of research of its second call for proposals. With these topics, IMI aims to accelerate the discovery and development of new medicines in the field of cancer, inflammatory and infectious disease. The funding available for the 2nd call will be €156.3 million, with €76.8 million provided by the European Commission and €79.5 million expected to be provided in kind from EFPIA member companies. IMI also introduced also its newly-appointed Executive Director, Michel Goldman, who will officially take up his post on 16 September.

        Further information

  • Education policy

    2009-08-06 - Erasmus Mundus : 63 new Masters Courses and Joint Doctorates added

    The European Commission has just selected 50 Masters Courses and 13 Joint Doctorates to be added to the courses available under the EU's Erasmus Mundus programme for stronger European co-operation and international ties in higher education. The new courses involve 296 universities from Europe and 70 partner universities from a range of countries around the world. With the 50 newly-selected Erasmus Mundus Masters Courses, students starting their studies in the academic year 2010-2011 will be able to choose from among 116 Masters offering scholarships. The programme has also selected 13 Erasmus Mundus Joint Doctorates, a new element within the second phase of Erasmus Mundus, which kicked off this year.

    Further information

  • Information society

    2009-08-04 - Digital economy can lift Europe out of crisis, says Commission report

    The European Commission's Digital Competitiveness report published today shows that Europe's digital sector has made strong progress since 2005: 56% of Europeans now regularly use the internet, 80% of them via a high-speed connection (compared to only one third in 2004), making Europe the world leader in broadband internet. Europe is the world's first truly mobile continent with more mobile subscribers than citizens (a take up rate of 119%). Europe can advance even further as a generation of "digitally savvy" young Europeans becomes a strong market driver for growth and innovation. Building on the potential of the digital economy is essential for Europe's sustainable recovery from the economic crisis. Today the Commission has asked the public what future strategy the EU should adopt to make the digital economy run at full speed.

    Further information

    2009-08-18 - EU invests a fresh € 18 million in future ultra high-speed mobile internet

    As of 1 January 2010, the EU will invest € 18 million into research that will underpin next generation 4G mobile networks. The European Commission just decided to start the process of funding research on Long Term Evolution (LTE) Advanced technology, that will offer mobile internet speeds up to a hundred times faster than current 3G networks. LTE is becoming the industry's first choice for next generation mobile networks, also thanks to substantial EU research funding since 2004. 25 years ago, Europe already made the GSM standard the backbone of modern mobile telephony. Based on Europe's joint research and the strength of the EU's single market, the GSM standard is today used by 80% of the world's mobile networks. LTE promises to be a similar success as EU-funded research continues to bring cutting-edge technology to the daily lives of Europeans

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    2009-08-20 - Commission sets new information society challenge: Becoming literate in new media

    The way we use media is changing, the volume of information enormous, demanding more of us than being able to read, write or use a computer. The European Commission today warned that Europeans young and old could miss out on the benefits of today's high-tech information society unless more is done to make them 'media literate' enough to access, analyse and evaluate images, sounds and texts and use traditional and new media to communicate and create media content. The Commission said EU countries and the media industry need to increase awareness of the many media messages people encounter, be they advertisements, movies or online content.

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    2009-08-28 - Europe's Digital Library doubles in size but also shows EU's lack of common web copyright solution

    4.6 million digitised books, maps, photographs, film clips and newspapers can now be accessed by internet users on Europeana, Europe's multilingual digital library (www.europeana.eu). The collection of Europeana has more than doubled since it was launched in November 2008. Today the European Commission, in a policy document declared as its target to bring the number of digitised objects to 10 million by 2010. The Commission also opened a public debate on the future challenges for book digitisation in Europe: the potential of the public and private sector to team up and the need to reform Europe's too fragmented copyright framework.

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  Other EU Policies and funding programmes supporting the Lisbon Strategy

  • Environment

    2009-08-25 - Report: Businesses must do more to slash carbon emissions

    The world's largest companies are not doing enough to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, says a new report entitled 'The Carbon Chasm', released by the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP). The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) says developed countries' emissions should be reduced by at least 80% by 2050 to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. However, the CDP report reveals that the companies studied will not achieve this target until 2089 - 39 years too late.

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    2009-08-31 - Climate change: Commission welcomes provisional 2008 data showing further EU progress towards Kyoto targets

    The European Commission welcomes the provisional figures for 2008 released today indicating that the EU's greenhouse gas emissions fell again for the fourth year running. The European Environment Agency estimates that emissions from the EU-15 member states fell by 1.3% in 2008 compared with 2007 levels, taking them to 6.2% below their levels in the base year (1990 in most cases). This represents another significant step by the EU-15 towards meeting its Kyoto Protocol target of reducing emissions in the 2008-2012 period by 8% below the base year level. EU-27 emissions are estimated to have fallen 1.5% in 2008 to stand 13.6% lower than the base year level.

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  • Transport

    2009-08-21 - Last call to implement car safety system voluntarily

    The European Commission today made a last call to all EU countries to speed up voluntary implementation of the new in-car communication technology 'eCall' that could save 2 500 lives a year. The eCall system automatically dials 112 (Europe's single emergency number) when a car has a serious accident and sends its location to the nearest emergency service. This can halve emergency response times, reduce severity of injures and save lives of people who do not know or cannot say where they are. For now, the deployment of eCall by public authorities, car companies and mobile phone operators is voluntary. So far the system is not operational in any EU country. The Commission warns, in a policy document adopted today, that if no significant progress is made in rolling out the system by the end of 2009 it could propose regulatory measures to make this life-saving technology available all over Europe as soon as possible. In 2008, more than 1.2 million accidents on Europe's roads caused around 39000 deaths and more than 1.7 million injuries.

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  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

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