Key Takeaways

– An updated version of the excel containing all the open Horizon Europe calls and topics can be found on the private are of the HUB Website. If you’re not registered, register and get access to this and much more. Check our website here.

– The EC published a new staff working document on its Cohesion programme for 2021-2027 where it estimates the €378 billion fund will help bridge the innovation divide in Europe. According to the document, thanks to €73 billion in dedicated cohesion funding, 83,000 researchers will have access to improved facilities and 725,000 companies will be supported in their smart growth (thank you Science Business for the neat summary).

– Spain has approved a four-year national strategy for open science, under which all outputs of publicly financed research will made available free upon publication. A budget of €23.8 million in 2023 will be maintained annually until 2027.

– Coordination between EU and national R&D policies has always been a challenge. For coordination of economic policy there is a series of meetings and preparatory activities, designated by the European Semester. Now the same model has been adopted by not more than a handful of countries. These countries should be praised and all others should follow. Portugal should not stay behind. It would be important to be part of this initiative from the beginning.

Horizon Europe

Horizon Europe – easy call and topic search

An updated version of the excel containing all the open Horizon Europe calls and topics can be found on the private are of the HUB Website. If you’re not registered, register and get access to this and much more. Check our website here.

Meanwhile, we are working hard to making the search tool available on our website instead of via excel. This search tool will also give you a complete list of the INESC projects in related areas, providing you and everybody using this publicly available tool with concrete information about INESC track record in a given area at EU level.

Here’s a selection of energy related calls:

Sustainable, secure and competitive energy supply

• Critical technologies to improve the lifetime, efficient decommissioning and increase the circularity of offshore and onshore wind energy systems | HORIZON-CL5-2023-D3-02-15 | Opening date: 04/05/2023 | Deadline: 05 September 2023 17:00:00 Brussels time
• Novel thermal energy storage for CSP | HORIZON-CL5-2023-D3-02-02 | Opening date: 04/05/2023 | Deadline: 05 September 2023 17:00:00 Brussels time
• Development of smart concepts of integrated energy driven bio-refineries for co-production of advanced biofuels, bio-chemicals and biomaterials| HORIZON-CL5-2024-D3-02-03 | Opening date: 17/09/2024| Deadline: 21 January 2025 17:00:00 Brussels time

Efficient, sustainable and inclusive energy use

• BIM-based processes and digital twins for facilitating and optimising circular energy renovation (Built4People Partnership) | HORIZON-CL5-2024-D4-02-03 | Opening date: 17/09/2024| Deadline: 21 January 2025 17:00:00 Brussels time
• Low-disruptive renovation processes using integration of prefabricated solutions for energy-efficient buildings | HORIZON-CL5-2024-D4-01-01 | Opening date: 07-Dec-23| Deadline: 18 April 2024 17:00:00 Brussels time

Cross-sectoral solutions for the climate transition

• Emerging energy technologies for a climate neutral Europe | HORIZON-CL5-2024-D2-01-04 | | Opening date: 07-Dec-23| Deadline: 18 April 2024 17:00:00 Brussels time

From KOWI: MSCA: Model Working Contract for Doctoral Networks published

The German Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions (MSCA) Working Group on Model Employment Contracts has now provided a model working contract for German beneficiaries in MSCA-Docoral Networks in Horizon Europe. The model employment contract is designed as a service contract according to § 611 BGB (German Civil Code) and is based on the model developed for Horizon 2020. It takes into account the requirements of the European Commission and makes it possible to reflect the allowances used in the MSCA programme through the Fellows’ salary. Possible funding gaps that could arise through the use of recruitment contracts according to TV-L/TVöD are thus avoided.

The model contract serves as a non-binding guidance. A legal review must be carried out by the employing institution in any case when using the sample texts – even of individual sections. This applies in particular to conformity with the requirements of the updated Nachweisgesetz, which could not be taken into account in this model.

The working group that created the model is coordinated by KoWi and the German MSCA National Contact Point (NCP). It includes representatives from the Albert Ludwigs University of Freiburg and the Federal Working Group of EU Officers at Universities in Germany (BAK), the German Aerospace Centre (DLR), the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft and the University of Duisburg-Essen.

In the following months, the group will publish English reading versions for the model employment contracts.

Research & Innovation

Report on the outcome of 2021-2027 cohesion policy programming

On 2 May 2023, the European Commission published a Staff Working Document: Cohesion 2021-2027: forging an ever-stronger Union – Report on the outcome of 2021-2027 cohesion policy programming.

You may also be interested in the following related content on EU cohesion policy 2021-2027:

• Overview of cohesion policy programming 2021-2027
• Thematic concentration/investment intensity
• Financial Instruments
• Climate Tracking
• Biodiversity Tracking
• Sustainable Urban Development
• Digital transition
• Gender Equality
• Just Transition Fund

Spain adopts national open access strategy

According to Science Business, Spain has approved a four-year national strategy for open science, under which all outputs of publicly financed research will made available free upon publication. Under the strategy open access will become the default mode for all research funded directly or indirectly, with public funds. The government hopes this will strengthen the quality and transparency of science in Spain, disseminating knowledge sooner and underpinning moves to a digital, low carbon economy. A budget of €23.8 million in 2023 will be maintained annually until 2027. This move mirrors the EU’s ambition to move towards majority open access scientific publishing, to enable research results to be shared more widely and thus increase impact. Read the full article here.

Commission attempts to strengthen coordination between national R&D policies and EU research programs

According with Science|Business, a new initiative by the EC aims to replicate the concept underlying the European Semester – in which EU member states discuss and try to align their economic policies with EU rules – with a similar forum for research, development and innovation policies. Since the launch of Enhanced Dialogues in 2022, seven countries have opted in: Croatia, Czechia, Estonia, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovenia. The initiative is open to all member states. Read more

Commission Plans to launch a European Standardisation Panel survey

To further support the uptake of R&I results through standardisation, the Commission has signed a contract on the development and implementation of a European Standardisation Panel Survey. The work will be carried out by a consortium led by Technopolis Consulting Group Belgium and involve the Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research. The Survey will help identify industry’s demand for standards as potential results of R&I projects, contribute to the assessment of how EU R&I framework programmes tackle the standardisation needs of industry, and foster awareness on the importance of standardisation for industry. Full info package here.

Research funders draw attention to uneven implementation of open science

According to Science Business, the European open science movement is growing but implementation of its principles is uneven, says a new report by Science Europe, a group of major research funding and performing organisations. The report gathers the views from an October conference held by Science Europe and suggests lack of inclusivity and equitability is becoming a growing concern as open science initiatives rapidly spread through Europe. EU member states are set to address the growing issue in council conclusions later this month.

EIT Climate to become financially sustainable by end of 2024

As stated in Science|Business, EIC Climate is the first knowledge and innovation community to go public on a plan for maintaining operations once grants from its parent institute, the European Institute of Innovation and Technology, run out. As stated by EIT Climate CEO Kirsten Dunlop said, the KIC is moving towards a systems innovation as a service model, in which it will take on a key role in place-based projects, working with cities and regions to bring together, integrating and implementing innovations that drive climate transition at a local level. Read more

Preparing for Belgium’s Thirteenth Presidency of the Council of the European Union

Ahead of the Belgian EU Council presidency starting in January 2024, papers anticipate some topics that could be placed high on the EU agenda such as energy supply, if the war in Ukraine continues; economic governance, linked to the implementation of ‘Next Generation EU’; governance of the Euro area, and further progress on the green deal.

The six months’ rotating presidency of the Council dates from the beginning of the European Economic Community. Belgium was the first to hold it, in the first half of 1958. In 2024, we will preside again, for the 13th time. When the Community contained only six members, the presidency occurred every three years; in today’s Union of 27, you have to wait 14 years. Read the full report here.

African Union-European Union High Level Policy Dialogue – Science, Technology and Innovation. Senior official meet to endorse the AU-EU Innovation Agenda

Research and Innovation (R&I) contribute to enhancing sustainable and inclusive economic growth and job generation, thereby reducing poverty and inequalities. A clear vision about collaboration between the European Union (EU) and the African Union (AU) in this domain is essential. More info here.

News from INESC institutes

INESC MN has a new publication in Advanced Materials Journal

João Ferreira Gil, Carla Sofia Moura, Vania Silverio, Gil Gonçalves, Hélder A. Santos have published “Cancer Models on Chip: Paving the Way to Large Scale Trial Applications”. Read more

INOV projects on Youtube

INOV is doing Youtube shorts about recent scientific papers, such as “Implementing GDPR Compliant Surveys Using Blockchain” and “Towards a core ontology of organizational transformation”. Have a look! You can also read the papers here.

Diogo Vaz published an article in Público

The PhD student at INESC ID wrote an article (“Aprender a gerar algoritmos”, “Learn to generate algorithms”) about the development of fault-tolerant algorithms distributed computing systems. Read the article

Job Opportunities

• INESC TEC has 20 vacancies in different work areas, such as Computer Science, Smart medical devices, and more. Find more at INESCTEC website and via LinkedIn
• INESC ID has 8 open positions. More info
• INESC MN is hiring a Junior Characterization Engineer, a Clean Room Process Engineer, and a Junior Researcher – Electrical Engineering. More info
• INOV is hiring a Systems and Network Engineer and a Software Engineer (Full stack) More info
• INESC Coimbra has announced a call for the award of 1 scientific research fellowship (BI) for graduated students. More info

Events & Training workshops

• HUB Summer Meeting 2023 – Knowledge valorisation: the role of Research and Technology Infrastructures | 15 June 2023
  We are delighted to announce the programme of the INESC Brussels HUB Summer Meeting 2023, organised in partnerships with the RITIFI (Research Infrastructures and Technology Infrastructures for Impact) Horizon Europe Coordination and Support Action. This will be a dynamic and information packed event, with the participation of the heavyweight research and technology infrastructures around Europe, the European Commission and other relevant EU platforms. Visit the preliminary agenda here and register here until the 9 June. Places are limited. Do not miss this opportunity to participate in the thematic discussion groups side by side with some of Europe’s most experienced research infrastructure managers and funders!

• 1st Science|Business Sector Day: Europe in the digital world 22 and 23 May 2023
  It will take place in Brussels (and partly online). DG Connect’s Deputy Director-General, Thomas Skordas will join to reflect on where Europe can realistically take a global lead in future digital technologies.  He joins MEP Brando Benifei, rapporteur for the AI Act, Werner Stengg, cabinet expert for COM EVP Margrethe Vestager, and Jeremy Rollison, senior director of EU government affairs at Microsoft, among the headline speakers driving the debate in Brussels. See the agenda. Each Network member is entitled to two free seats to attend the Sector Day in person. On Day 1, the plenary sessions will also be livestreamed, with no limit on the number of colleagues who wish to follow them online. Register here 

• EARTO Members’ Participation in HE
  With Amélie Vagner, European Programmes Coordination, CEA. 10 May 2023 11.00-12.00 (CET). Register here
• Intercultural Communication Workshop
  With Neil Mason. Open to anyone interested in intercultural communication. Organised by the International Relations Service. 9 May 2023 10:00 – 12:00 (Portugal). Auditorium B, INESC TEC. Registration until 5 May
• International Negotiation Training Session
  With Sandrina Antunes. Targets the staff that is most exposed to international negotiations, most notably (but not limited to) project and area managers and TEC4 Business Developers. Organised by the International Relations Service. 24 May 2023 14:00-18:00, Auditorium B, INESC TEC. Registration until 22 May
• Teaming for success: How to capitalise on centres of excellence in Widening countries?
  A hybrid Science|Business Widening roundtable. 16 May 2023 (9:00 -14:00 CET). By invitation only for in-person attendance. Public online attendance. More info and applications

• Financial and Business Opportunities beyond Horizon Europe
  An information event in Brussels organised by DG Research & Innovation to support the market uptake of new technologies and systems. 23 May 2023. More info
• EIT Digital | AI in Healthcare: Advancements & Ethical Considerations
  An online event that brings together industry leaders, researchers, and innovators to explore the latest advancements in AI and its impact on the healthcare industry, as well as the ethical considerations that arise with the use of AI in healthcare. 24 May 2023. More info and registration

• What makes co-creation work for transitions?
  The METI and the OECD organise a Joint Workshop. 24-26 May 2023, Paris. Registration and Agenda

• Mission “Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030” in Palermo
  30-31 May 2023. Register 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