Key Takeaways

– An article published by the European Research Executive Agency focuses on conversations with two EU-funded research projects. These projects are actively participating on social media channels and have shared their perspectives on the benefits and challenges presented by different online platforms. These projects have offered valuable recommendations for utilizing social media to amplify the impact and reach of research endeavours.

– The European Technology and Innovation Platform for Photovoltaics (ETIP PV), in partnership with the European Energy Research Alliance for Photovoltaics (EERA-PV), has revealed its Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA). Based on last month’s recent communication about its various activities and operational groups, ETIP PV is now introducing the SRIA. This agenda outlines and tackles five fundamental challenges within the European research and innovation landscape.

– The CBE JU, a collaborative initiative with a budget of €2 billion dedicated to advancing competitive circular bio-based industries in Europe, has formally given the green light to its first batch of 21 grant agreements this year. This commitment will allocate a combined funding of €116 million to 293 recipients across 27 countries. These financial backing aims to stimulate the progress of new bio-based products and materials, the setup of cutting-edge production facilities, and the innovation of processes within the bioeconomy domain.

Horizon Europe

European Research Executive Agency explores how social media can effectively boost a research project

An article from the European Research Executive Agency highlights discussions with two research projects funded by the EU. These projects are actively engaged on social media platforms and have shared insights into the advantages and hurdles posed by various online platforms. These projects have provided valuable suggestions on leveraging social media to enhance the influence and scope of research.

Promoting EU-funded research is a requirement stipulated by Horizon Europe. Therefore, research and innovation endeavors are encouraged to consider the establishment and management of social media profiles to fulfil these obligations. Nonetheless, despite the innovative prospects offered by social media, notable challenges that accompany them.

Read the full article here.

Research & Innovation

Five core challenges of the European solar photovoltaics research and innovation

According to the PV Magazine, the European Technology and Innovation Platform for Photovoltaics (ETIP PV) has unveiled its Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) in collaboration with the European Energy Research Alliance for Photovoltaics (EERA-PV). In its previous communication last month, ETIP PV introduced its range of activities and operational groups. Now, it presents the SRIA, which identifies and addresses five core challenges within the European research and innovation landscape.

For each challenge, the SRIA provides comprehensive strategies and explicit objectives. This agenda serves as a valuable resource for those interested in large-scale photovoltaic (PV) research and innovation, particularly for research institutions and forward-thinking players in the PV industry keen on leveraging research and development.

The outlined challenges are as follows:

1. Enhancing Performance and Reducing Costs through Advanced PV Technologies and Manufacturing.
2. Improving Lifetime, Reliability, and Sustainability.
3. Exploring New Applications via Photovoltaic Integration.
4. Intelligently Integrating Photovoltaics into Large-Scale Energy Systems for Enhanced Deployment and Penetration.
5. Addressing Socio-Economic Aspects in the Transition to a High PV Contribution.

Global review of marine restoration projects and funding sources

A recent analysis conducted by marine specialists under the purview of the European Commission has unveiled details concerning the geographical sites, main financial origins, and recipients of substantial undertakings aimed at revitalizing marine and coastal environments on a global scale.

The document titled “Vulnerable Marine Environments: Advancements, requirements, and possibilities for seascape rejuvenation” delves into extensive initiatives of a “seascape” magnitude, acknowledging the significance of holistic strategies in the management and preservation of interconnected coastal and marine socio-ecological systems.

For more information, click here.

Report on boosting innovation in European bioeconomy

Open Access Government brings a report detailing recent initiatives aimed at fostering innovation in the European bioeconomy, financed by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU). The CBE JU, a collaborative effort with a budget of €2 billion focused on promoting competitive circular bio-based industries in Europe, has officially approved its initial set of 21 grant agreements this year.

This commitment will channel a total of €116 million in funding to 293 beneficiaries spanning 27 countries. The financial support is intended to drive the development of novel bio-based goods and materials, establish pioneering production facilities, and create  innovative processes within the bioeconomy sector. Read more.

News from INESC institutes

Testing maritime robots with small costs: meet the Atlantis Test Centre

Situated in Portugal, the Atlantis Test Centre stands as a unique large-scale pilot within Europe. Designed to be accessible to various entities, including organizations, start-ups, and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), this facility is poised to facilitate the experimentation of robotic solutions under carefully controlled conditions.

It marks a pioneering effort in the continent, centering on floating foundation offshore wind farms. This endeavour is notably supported by INESC TEC, a prominent research association, and EDP, an innovative company recognized for introducing the world’s inaugural floating offshore wind project – the WindFloat 1.

These robotic systems offer the possibility of enhancing operational safety by removing workers from dangerous environments. Andy Pinto mentioned that by elevating the robots’ autonomy, we can reduce the necessity of sending humans to perilous locations and tasks, as human involvement often requires strict adherence to safety standards. Know more here.

Job Opportunities

– INESC TEC has 76 vacancies in different work areas, such as Mobile Robotics, Computer Science, and more. Find more at INESCTEC website and via LinkedIn

– INESC MN is hiring a Clean Room Process Engineer. More info

– INOV is hiring a Analyst/Programmer and a Facilities Manager. More info

Events & Training workshops

SEPTEMBER

– 2nd Science|Business Sector Day: Green Deal & Climate – The road to net-zero industry. 18-19 September 2023, 14:00 – 12:30 CET, Brussels. Members only. More info

-Horizon Europe – Cluster 6: “Food, bioeconomy, natural resources, agriculture and environment”. 27-28 September 2023. More info.

– 2023 European Researchers Night, 29 September 2023. The event will take place in 26 countries and will be online.

OCTOBER

– Horizon Implementation Day: Finding opportunities and submitting a proposal in Horizon Europe. 5 October 2023, 8:30 CET. Register here.

– European Week of Regions and Cities 2023. 9 – 12 October 2023, 09:00 – 18:00 CET, Brussels. More info.

– The Widening: Founding Group Meeting. 10 October 2023 (TBC), 10:00 – 13:00 CET, Brussels. Members only. More info

– EARTO Policy Event and Innovation Awards Ceremony, 11 October 2023 at 13.30-16.15 (CET), Brussels. Register here.

– Making waves: Is international R&I bringing a true blue economy within reach? 12 October 2023, 14:00 – 16:45 CET, Brussels. Members only. More info

– Horizon Implementation Day: Grant Agreement Preparation in Horizon Europe. 17 October 2023. 8:30 CET. Register here.

– Horizon Europe Cluster 2 – Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society Info Day. 18 October 2023. 8:30 CET, Brussels. More info.

– ETSI Security Conference, from 16 to 19 October 2023, in ETSI, Sophia Antipolis, France. More info.

– Horizon Europe – Cluster 1: Culture, Creativity & Inclusive Society. Info Day. 18 October 2023. More info

NOVEMBER

– 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

– Enterprise Europe Network Annual Conference 2023, 15 November 2023, 09:00 CET – 17 November 2023, 18:00 CET, Barakaldo, Spain. More info.

– Horizon Europe: FP10 and Preparing for the 2024 Annual Conference. 28 November 2023. 15:00 – 17:00 CET. Online. Members only. More info

DECEMBER

– 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

– 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

– 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 crises. More info.