Highlights
📚 “The ‘Tour des Capitales’ in Lisbon is an event promoted by the European Commission and it´s happening in the 14th and 15th November, in Lisbon. Its objective is to gather representatives from higher education institutions, industry, intermediary organizations, and decision-makers to discuss the challenges and opportunities in knowledge valorization and explore actions and collaborative initiatives to address them. Register here.
🔬 Read this World Economic Forum article showcasing 12 climate-smart technologies that could transform the way we grow food. Know more here.
🌍 The European Innovation Council Tech report 2023 is out. The report incorporates a variety of inputs and insights from EIC Programme Managers and covers a wide spectrum of topics, including digital technologies, industry and space, cleantech, and health. Know more here.
Key Takeaways
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-The European Commission expressed this week its approval of the recent agreement reached by G7 leaders regarding the International Guiding Principles on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and a voluntary Code of Conduct for AI developers as part of the Hiroshima AI process. Read the full press release here.
– The European Union intends to double the budget allocated for funding clean technology manufacturing initiatives, such as wind turbines and their components, through the Innovation Fund. The budget will be increased to €1.4 billion in the upcoming call for proposals scheduled for November 23. These plans are part of the European Commission’s Wind Power Package, which aims to bolster the European wind power industry.
– European member states are poised to approve a collective framework aimed at enhancing the working conditions of the continent’s two million researchers. However, stakeholders are urging revisions to the initial proposal. The draft recommendations, under discussion in the EU Council, advocate longer employment contracts and skill training with applications beyond academia. Know more here.
– INESC ID and INESC TEC are partners in the ATE (Alliance for Energy Transition) consortium, led by Efacec. The partnership has formally accepted the terms of Portugal’s Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR) with IAPMEI and is set to position Portugal as a leader in decarbonization and an effective energy transition. Know more here.
Funding
Horizon Europe upcoming partnerships: Health, Safe Food Systems, and Rare DiseasesExplore the upcoming partnerships on the ERA Learn website, funded by Horizon Europe. These partnerships encompass critical areas such as One-Health Anti-Microbial Resistance, Safe & Sustainable Food Systems, and Rare Diseases, offering opportunities for collaborative research and innovation. Check it here.
ERA Talents: nine new projects underwayThe European Commission is allocating approximately 24 million euros to fund nine projects within the ERA Talents initiative. Discover the funded projects and how they support cross-sectoral talent circulation and foster strong academia-business relationships.
These initiatives are expected to strengthen the human capital in research and innovation by providing skill-building opportunities with an entrepreneurial mindset and establishing a well-structured and impactful collaboration between educational institutions and the private sector.
The upcoming ERA Talents call for proposals will be open from April 11, 2024, to September 26, 2024, with an estimated budget of 40 million euros. Know more here. |
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US launches new controls to guard against AI being used to create biothreatsAccording to Science Business, the U.S. is tightening regulations on DNA synthesis companies due to concerns about misuse. They fear that terrorists or rogue scientists might exploit these services to create harmful pathogens. The move involves creating strict screening standards for biological synthesis, with compliance required for federal funding in life science projects. The decision responds to worries that the DNA synthesis industry lacks adequate oversight and quality control. Read more.
Commission welcomes G7 leaders’ agreement on Guiding Principles and a Code of Conduct on Artificial IntelligenceThe European Commission expressed this week its approval of the recent agreement reached by G7 leaders regarding the International Guiding Principles on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and a voluntary Code of Conduct for AI developers as part of the Hiroshima AI process.
These principles and the voluntary Code of Conduct will serve as a global complement to the legally binding regulations that the EU co-legislators are currently in the process of finalizing through the EU AI Act. Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, is among the signatories to the statement issued by the 2023 Japan G7 presidency. Read the full press release here.
CeADAR named European Digital Innovation Hub for AI in IrelandAccording to Tech Center, CeADAR, the Irish research center focused on the practical application of artificial intelligence (AI), has reached an important milestone by being designated as the European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH) for AI in Ireland. This prestigious recognition comes with a substantial financial support of €14 million, distributed over seven years, with an initial grant of €6 million for the first three years. This funding will facilitate CeADAR’s expansion plan, leading to the creation of numerous job opportunities and reinforcing its role as a prominent contributor to the AI ecosystem. Know more here. |
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EU to boost funding for innovative wind energy projectsThe European Union intends to double the budget allocated for funding clean technology manufacturing initiatives, such as wind turbines and their components, through the Innovation Fund. The budget will be increased to €1.4 billion in the upcoming call for proposals scheduled for November 23. These plans are part of the European Commission’s Wind Power Package, which aims to bolster the European wind power industry.
Additionally, innovative wind projects will be considered for support in other areas of the upcoming call, with a particular emphasis on wind energy projects. Furthermore, there will be enhanced backing for wind energy manufacturing within the updated Strategy Energy Technology Plan (SET) and the new Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP).
12 climate-smart technologies that could transform the way we grow foodAccording to the World Economic Forum, there are three pressing issues that must be addressed to improve the well-being of farmers, make agriculture more efficient, and reduce carbon emissions, all while ensuring food and nutrition security. This is why adopting climate-smart agricultural practices is of great significance. To tackle these ongoing challenges and showcase innovative solutions, UpLink introduced the Smarter Climate Farmers Challenge, and the following are the 12 winning solutions. Know more here.
MEPs back plans to boost Europe’s Net-Zero technology productionThe legislation that was voted on by the Industry Committee on Wednesday aims to enhance Europe’s production capacity in technologies essential for reducing carbon emissions. The Act lends support to the manufacturing of crucial technologies required to meet the EU’s decarbonization goals. Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have put forth amendments to expedite authorization procedures and establish net-zero industry clusters.
In their proposed changes, MEPs expanded the scope of the draft legislation to encompass the entire supply chain, including components, materials, and machinery necessary for producing carbon-neutral technologies. They also suggest a more comprehensive and regularly updated list of technologies to be included. Know more here.ITER project should get political, says Christian Ehler MEPAccording to Science Business, german MEP Christian Ehler has urged the leadership of ITER, the large fusion research project, to collaborate with the European Parliament in crafting a communication strategy for fusion. The goal is to ensure the project’s survival amid upcoming budget challenges. Ehler emphasized that without effective communication, ITER remains obscure, poorly understood, and complex. He delivered this message during a hearing in the Parliament’s industry and research committee (ITRE), where leaders of the ITER project, the Fusion for Energy joint undertaking, and the director general of the Commission’s directorate for energy were invited to update MEPs on the project and the obstacles it faces.
The ITER project was initiated 38 years ago after a summit in Geneva involving US president Ronald Reagan and Soviet Union president Mikhail Gorbachev. Its mission is to showcase the potential of nuclear fusion for producing carbon-free energy. The project’s founding members include the EU, Japan, China, India, and South Korea. Know more here. |
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Article: Why not try a big bang in the design of the EU regional Policy?Christian Saublens, the Founder and former Director of EURADA, emphasizes the need to reconsider our approach to regional development and socio-economic investments in light of the changing landscape of regional development and its growing complexities. The challenges we confront today, such as sluggish infrastructure development, varying regional requirements, and economic inequalities, underscore the necessity for a transformation in our support methods. The existing system falls short in accommodating the diverse needs of various regions, prompting the call for a change in our approach. Know more here.Communication on Enhancing the European Administrative SpaceThis week, the Commission introduced a new Communication called “Enhancing the European Administrative Space” (ComPAct). This Communication outlines specific measures aimed at helping public administrations in Europe better serve the needs of both individuals and businesses.
ComPAct represents the Commission’s inaugural comprehensive plan to assist national administrations in modernizing and enhancing their cooperation across countries. This collaborative approach is designed to enable them to jointly address common challenges. Know more here.
Paper on mission-oriented innovation policies in Europe: From normative to epistemic turn?Mission-oriented policies have become popular in Europe, aiming to drive science, innovation, and technology policies toward specific goals. This article from the UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose (IIPP) explores whether these policies, which focus on defining objectives, also pay enough attention to how knowledge is generated and utilized by public institutions, known as the “epistemic turn.” It is based on a literature review, interviews with policymakers, and observations from workshops.
The article finds two main points. First, the way missions are implemented varies significantly depending on the context, making it a diverse practice. Second, while some missions embrace a shift in how knowledge is used, most stick to existing institutions and policies. This means that many missions are constrained by traditional practices and fail to bring about significant changes. The article argues that for missions to succeed, there needs to be a deliberate effort to address knowledge and analytical gaps. Read the full paper here.
Member states near agreement on framework to improve research careers in EuropeEuropean member states are poised to approve a collective framework aimed at enhancing the working conditions of the continent’s two million researchers, as explained by Science Business. However, stakeholders are urging revisions to the initial proposal. The draft recommendations, under discussion in the EU Council, advocate longer employment contracts and skill training with applications beyond academia. They also support a plan to monitor labour conditions for researchers throughout Europe. While these recommendations will not be legally binding, they will provide essential momentum for a new framework outlining the actions universities, public bodies, and other stakeholders can take to improve the work environment for researchers. Know more here.
EU strengthens its Strategic Energy Technology planAs noticed by Science Business, Ivan Matejak, the Operations Manager at the European Energy Research Alliance (EERA), which serves as the research component of Europe’s Strategic Energy Technology (SET) plan, believes that the SET plan requires increased political visibility and influence. He suggests that the SET steering group, which includes member state representatives and is responsible for decision-making, should have more political power and visibility. This would ensure that their decisions are more effectively incorporated into national legislation.
Matejak’s comments come in response to the European Commission’s recent announcement of revisions to the 15-year-old SET plan. These revisions aim to align the plan with new 2030 and 2050 energy and climate objectives. However, the industry emphasizes the need for strong political commitment to truly make an impact in advancing the transition to cleaner energy sources. Know more here.
The European Innovation Council Tech report 2023 is outThe European Innovation Council (EIC) is at the forefront of cutting-edge scientific and technological advancements. This commitment is underscored by the EIC Tech Report 2023, which showcases innovative technologies and innovations submitted to the EIC as part of Horizon Europe. The report primarily focuses on early-stage research projects that have received funding after a thorough evaluation by independent experts. It also includes technology areas that have received high-quality proposals but haven’t yet been funded by the EIC. The report incorporates a variety of inputs and insights from EIC Programme Managers and covers a wide spectrum of topics, including digital technologies, industry and space, cleantech, and health. Know more here.
Commission launches European Defense Industrial Strategy consultationThe European Commission has initiated a three-month-long consultation process to formulate its European Defence Industrial Strategy, which aims to strengthen the weapons industry in Europe. Commission president Ursula von der Leyen introduced this strategy in her State of the Union address earlier this year.
This initiative will focus on various aspects, including coordinating the demand for defence products, enhancing supply chains, promoting innovation, ensuring the sector’s competitiveness, and integrating defence goals into EU policies more effectively. The completed strategy is anticipated to be unveiled in early 2024. Know more here.
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INESC MN and INESC-ID present five papers in ViennaINESC Microssistemas e Nanotecnologias, in collaboration with INESC-ID, presented five papers at IEEESensors2023 in Vienna, Austria, from October 29 to November 1, 2023. These papers covered various topics, including a ZPM-based resistive sensor array readout system with a compensation method, neural networks for defect detection in eddy-current-based non-destructive testing, a magnetically triggered imaging system for automated validation of magnetic flow cytometry observations, a multi-sensor low-noise modular magnetic flow cytometer for bacteria detection, and a compact low-noise AC acquisition system tailored for Wheatstone bridge sensors. Their contributions marked a significant presence in the field of sensor technology.
INESC ID and INESC TEC partners in a national consortium for Energy TransitionThe ATE (Alliance for Energy Transition) consortium, led by Efacec, has formally accepted the terms of Portugal’s Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR) with IAPMEI. This partnership is dedicated to a set of projects that will position Portugal as a leader in decarbonization and an effective energy transition. Notably, the consortium will create 420 new job opportunities and generate an annual revenue of €550 million. ATE’s initiatives will also contribute to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (up to 3.4 million tons of CO2) and the development of innovative, export-oriented products. Comprising 80 partners, including research and innovation entities such as Efacec, INESC TEC, and INESC ID, ATE plays a pivotal role in the RNC2040 (Roadmap for Carbon Neutrality). Know more here.
INOV´s CICLOPE initiative earns Award at FIRE INDIA Official 2023CICLOPE, an initiative by INOV focusing on wildfire prevention, has received the prestigious Ace of Initiative Award at FIRE INDIA Official 2023. Their dedication to wildfire prevention efforts has been acknowledged at this year’s event, marking a significant achievement in the field. Know more about the project here.
Job Opportunities– INESC TEC has 26 vacancies in different work areas, such as Mobile Robotics, Computer Science, and more. Recently they opened a position for the study and development of a fiber optic sensor for monitoring the curing process of concrete structures, and another in industrial Robotics Research. Find more at INESCTEC website and via LinkedIn
– INESC MN is seeking an early career Researcher with PhD in the area of Lab-on-Chip devices and Microfludics. Deadline for application: 26 October 2023. More info
– INOV is hiring a Analyst/Programmer and a Facilities Manager. More info
– INESC Coimbra has announced a PhD position Behavioral Operations Research and multi objective optimization in residential energy management systems. More info |
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NOVEMBER
– Climate finance challenges and ESG Conference, 8 November, in INESC TEC. Register here.
– Luxembourg Internet Days: Network Security & Resilience. 7-8 November, Luxembourg. More info here.
– The European Commission organises the Annual Research Conference in Brussels, 13-15 November 2023. More information here.
– Horizon Results Booster – steering research towards a strong societal impact. 14 November 2023 from 10:00 to 12:30 (CET). More information here.
– 3rd Science|Business Sector Day: Health & Life Sciences – Future-proofing medicines. 13-14 November 2023. 14:00 – 12:30 CET, Brussels. By invitation only. More info
– BusinessEurope – EARTO event: Investing in Research and Innovation: Towards FP10, 20 November, 10:00 – 12:30 CET, Brussels. Registration will be soon provided.
– ERA FORUM event dedicated to research careers and action 4 of the ERA Policy Agenda, 21 and 22 November 2023. All the information and registration available here.
– Horizon Europe: FP10 and Preparing for the 2024 Annual Conference. 28 November 2023. 15:00 – 17:00 CET. Online. Members only. More info
-ERC Annual Conference 2023: Research on Diversity & Diversity in Frontier Research. 28 November 2023. 08:30 – 18:00 CET. Brussels and Online. More info.
– Generative AI: How will it transform science and its impact on society? 29 November. A Science Business Event, Brussels, 14:00 to 17:00 CET. More info here.
– Behave 2023, the 7th European Conference on Behaviour and Energy Efficiency by the European Energy Network (EnR). 28-29 November. The event will take place in Maastricht, the Netherlands. The theme of this year’s conference will be ‘Scaling-up Behaviour Change in the light of the energy and climate crisis’. More info
– The Chips Joint Undertaking Launch Event, 30 November-1 December, Brussels, at the Event Lounge. Register here.
DECEMBER
– Co-Designing Diamond Open Access Recommendations and Guidelines for Research Funders, Sponsors, and Donors by Science Europe, 4 december, Brussels, 14.00–16.00 CET. Register here.
– 10th Symposion on European Civil Security Research – organised by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research. 5-6 December, 11:30- 18:00 (CEST), Brussels and online. Register here.
– European Partnership Stakeholder Forum 2023. 5-6 December, Brussels. Registrations open.
– The Widening: 2023 Annual Conference. 06 December 2023 (TBC). 13:30 – 17:30 CET. Place TBA. Public event. More info
2024
– Annual Network Conference. 06 February 2024. 09:00-17:30 CET. Brussels. Public event. More info
– 4th Workshop on Neuroengineering: Brain-on-a-Chip Platforms. 4-5 April 2024. i3S – Institute of Research and Innovation in Health. More information here.
– 8th World Conference on Research Integrity, 2-5 June 2024, at Megaron Athens International Conference Centre (MAICC), Athens. Travel Grant applications open on 26 June 2023. More info
– Conference: IAMOT – International Association for Management of Technology 2024, 8-11 July 2024. Porto, Portugal. Organised by INESC TEC and FEUP. More info |
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