Highlights
🚢 Did you know that in 2022, 10 cargo vessels were lost at sea? With shipping responsible for moving 90% of the world’s goods, increased safety measures are imperative. Now, research projects in Europe are developing water-surface scanners and bettering hull designs to tackle shipping accidents, as showcased by the Horizon Magazine. Know more here.
🤖 The European Research Council’s Scientific Council reminded researchers that using AI in proposal writing doesn’t replace the need for careful review of acknowledgments and other components. They stressed that seeking external assistance doesn’t absolve authors of their responsibility for proper acknowledgments, avoiding plagiarism, and maintaining high standards of professional and scientific conduct. Know more here.
💡 A fresh call for proposals from the European Research Executive Agency, starting on December 6, unveils a total budget of €337 million, allocated to support upcoming research infrastructures projects. Know more here.
Key Takeaways
– Manuel Heitor, professor at the Instituto Superior Técnico, will lead an independent advisory group formed by the European Commission, kicking off the formulation of Framework Programme 10, the EU’s upcoming research initiative. This pivotal group aims to outline the program’s direction, with Heitor playing a central role in steering its direction. The report crafted under his leadership will significantly shape the Commission’s FP10 proposal, set for presentation in mid-2025. Know more here.
– The European Commission’s Directorate-General for Energy just closed a two-day event at COP28 in Dubai. It focused on understanding what has been effective, identifying limitations and opportunities in different parts of the world, and strategizing on collaborative efforts to accelerate global clean tech deployment without engaging in a subsidy competition. You can watch the conference here.
– Starting from January 1, 2024, the United Kingdom officially joins Horizon Europe as an associated country, gaining access to initiatives like the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA). This affiliation grants UK-based organizations the same beneficiary status as those within the EU and other associated Horizon Europe nations. Know more here.
Funding
€337 million to fund new Research Infrastructures projectsThe Horizon Europe funding for Research Infrastructures aims to bolster Europe’s standing by fostering top-tier and easily accessible research facilities, and according to the European Research Executive Agency, the new call for proposals, commencing on December 6, 2023, presents a total budget of €337 million spread across three distinct destinations, each with its unique focus. It addresses several key areas, including supporting the evolution and enduring sustainability of pan-European research facilities on an individual basis. Moreover, it will tackle the conceptual development of research infrastructures, fostering bilateral cooperation on research infrastructure with Africa, and catering to emerging needs for sustainability and growth within these pan-European research facilities. Know more here. |
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ERC warns researchers on use of AI in proposalsThe European Research Council’s Scientific Council issued a cautionary note to researchers, emphasizing that employing AI in proposal writing doesn’t excuse thoroughness in reviewing acknowledgments and other aspects. The council highlighted that researchers often utilize AI or external sources for tasks like idea generation, literature searches, and text editing. Yet, they emphasized that seeking external aid doesn’t alleviate the author’s responsibility for acknowledgments, preventing plagiarism, and upholding professional and scientific conduct. Authors are still accountable for ensuring full and sole authorship in these respects. Know more here. |
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EU Energy Days at COP28 reaffirm commitment to clean energy transitionThe European Commission’s Directorate-General for Energy just closed a two-day event at COP28 in Dubai. This gathering featured nine in-depth sessions discussing ways to speed up the transition to clean energy. These sessions delved into various topics like energy efficiency, methane emissions, and funding for clean technology through panel discussions and roundtable debates. This particular event aimed to unite governments and global clean tech entities, fostering the sharing of successful strategies and challenges faced in promoting technology for sustainable growth. It focused on understanding what has been effective, identifying limitations and opportunities in different parts of the world, and strategizing on collaborative efforts to accelerate global clean tech deployment without engaging in a subsidy competition. Know more here. |
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New Report: Food 2030 Research and Innovation – Pathways for action 2.0This release offers an overview of the European Commission’s Food 2030 initiative, serving as a roadmap for upcoming research and innovation strategies tied to Horizon Europe, the farm-to-fork strategy, the European Green Deal, and future initiatives. It delineates eleven actionable pathways, outlining how research and innovation can tangibly contribute to enhancing nutrition, addressing climate concerns, promoting circularity, and fostering community development across various scales, from local to global. These pathways encompass themes such as Governance for Food Systems Change, Urban Food Systems Transformation, Food from Ocean and Freshwater Resources, Alternative Proteins for Dietary Shift, and Resource-efficient Food Systems, among others. Know more here. Commission consults citizens and stakeholders on evaluation of the Nitrates DirectiveThis week, the European Commission initiated a public consultation on evaluating the Nitrates Directive, urging stakeholders like farmers, industries, NGOs, citizens, public bodies, and water authorities to participate. This online consultation, open until March 8, 2024, welcomes input and perspectives on the effectiveness of the Nitrates Directive. The assessment aims to determine whether the directive continues to align with its intended objectives, ensuring its relevance in fostering sustainable agriculture and bolstering food security. Check it here. |
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EU launches chips partnership with €1.7B for pilot linesAccording to Science Business, the EU initiated a call for four pilot lines as part of the official introduction of the Chips joint undertaking, established to execute the Chips Act. At the launch in Brussels, attended by approximately 700 individuals, including Thierry Breton, internal market commissioner, it was highlighted that the Act has generated over €100 billion in combined public and private investments. The primary objective is to elevate the EU’s stake in the global semiconductor market to 20% by 2030, prompted by shortages encountered during the COVID-19 pandemic. Know more here. UK innovation agency lists 50 most promising emerging technologies Innovation UK has listed of 50 promising emerging technologies poised for significant advancements. This diverse collection encompasses various innovations such as minute nanomaterials, quantum computing, and brain-machine interfaces, enabling control of machines using thoughts, among other groundbreaking developments. Check the list here. |
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Manuel Heitor to lead advisory group for EU’s next research programAccording to Science Business, the European Commission has formed an autonomous advisory group tasked with outlining the EU’s forthcoming research program, marking the initiation of Framework Programme 10’s drafting phase. Led by Manuel Heitor, Portugal’s former research minister and a prominent advocate for equitable and improved research careers in Europe, this group aims to deliver a report by October. This report, one of two pivotal documents, will shape the Commission’s proposal for FP10, set for presentation in mid-2025. Concurrently, member states are crafting their own report within the European Research Area and Innovation Committee (ERAC), contributing to the development of the program. Know more here. Study supporting the assessment of EU missions and the review of mission areasThe European Commission released a study that underpins the evaluation of EU missions and the subsequent review of their designated areas. This document outlines the systematic approach employed to assess the five EU Missions and their respective domains. It specifies the methodologies utilized, encompassing desk research, data analysis, and a comprehensive literature review. Additionally, it highlights outcomes from stakeholder consultations, incorporating insights gleaned from mission assessments and area reviews. Read the full study here. Launch of EU Science Diplomacy Working Groups: Results of call for expressions of interest publishedFollowing the Global Approach Implementation Report, the European Commission plans to establish collaborative teams merging members from science and diplomacy backgrounds. These informal working groups aim to craft potential components for an upcoming European framework in science diplomacy. The Commission has released the roster of chosen experts and designated co-chairs for these groups, marking a significant step in this initiative’s progress. Know more here. EU and Greenland sign strategic partnership on sustainable raw materials value chainsThis week in Brussels, the EU and the Government of Greenland entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to forge a strategic partnership focused on fostering sustainable raw materials value chains. Greenland’s wealth of natural resources stands as a significant asset, offering an opportunity to diversify its economy while ensuring sustainability. Remarkably, 25 out of the 34 critical raw materials highlighted by the Commission as vital for Europe’s industry and green transition are present in Greenland. The MoU’s signing signifies a step toward fostering sustainable initiatives along the raw materials value chains and facilitating the necessary infrastructure for their development. Know more here. United Kingdom joins Horizon Europe and the Marie Skłodowska-Curie ActionsStarting from January 1, 2024, the United Kingdom officially joins Horizon Europe as an associated country, gaining access to initiatives like the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA). This affiliation grants UK-based organizations the same beneficiary status as those within the EU and other associated Horizon Europe nations. British researchers retain their eligibility to participate in this program, which welcomes top talents globally. Notably, under the prior EU research and innovation framework, Horizon 2020, the UK showcased exceptional performance in the Excellent Science program segment, encompassing the MSCA among its successes. Know more here. ELIXIR publishes its new scientific programmeELIXIR has published its new Scientific Programme, setting out the European lifescience data infrastructure’s vision for the coming five years. The Scientific Programme forms ELIXIR’s strategy and sets out its ambitions and goals until 2028. The ELIXIR Programme is developed with extensive input from expert working groups across ELIXIR’s 22 Nodes. Read the full report here. |
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INOV spotlights IRIS Tools: advancing IoT and AI cybersecurityINOV, alongside their partner Delft University of Technology, has played a pivotal role in crafting an engaging video introducing the IRIS Tools within the H2020 project. This initiative is geared toward bolstering European strategic autonomy in the realms of IoT and AI cybersecurity. Curious about the core concepts driving the Data Protection and Accountability module? The inaugural video of the IRIS Tools Video Campaign unpacks these ideas and is available here. INESC-ID contributes in advancing adult reading with intelligent systemsThe iRead4Skills initiative strives to enhance adult reading abilities through an intelligent system designed to evaluate text complexity and recommend suitable reading materials. This project, spearheaded by a team involving INESC-ID, seeks to diminish skills disparities and broaden access to information and cultural resources. Stay informed about the project’s progress by accessing the latest updates here. INESC TEC aims to streamline the offshore wind energy ecosystemINESC TEC has positioned itself as a key partner in offshore wind energy. Partnering with Gazelle Wind Power, which selected Portugal to establish a complete local supply chain for offshore wind energy production, marks another step in solidifying this position. The stage is set for the company’s inaugural floating platform to undergo testing off Aguçadoura Beach in Póvoa do Varzim. Floating wind energy represents 80% of the global wind potential, meaning “80% of untapped wind resources are available at sea.” INESC TEC aims to pioneer in this field, fostering scientific, economic, and social development to set an example of competitiveness. Read more here. Job Opportunities– INESC TEC has 42 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 ID is offering 6 research scholarship with different duration, mainly in the Blockchain area. More info – INOV is hiring a Analyst/Programmer and a Full Stack Software Engineer. 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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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. – Strategies for R&D resilience in shifting security paradigms – Science Business Network Conference, December 6; 13:30 – 18:00 CET, Brussels. Register here. – The Widening: 2023 Annual Conference. 06 December 2023 (TBC). 13:30 – 17:30 CET. Place TBA. Public event. More info – Research and innovation Conference 2023, 7 December 2023, 9:30am – 4:30pm (GMT), a UK Universities event. Register here. – CHIPS meets Chips: Transatlantic cooperation in semiconductor research by Science Business, 12 December 2023, 2:00 PM-6:00 PM CET/8:00 AM – Noon EST, Brussels, Belgium. Register here.
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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