Dear readers, we´re reaching again to you with more news on the EU research and innovation landscape. This week, the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP) faced a step back as member states hesitate to increase funding, resulting in a reduction of the planned EU sovereignty fund. Despite negotiations, STEP will now only receive €1.5 billion, down from the proposed €10 billion. Moreover, start-ups cautiously welcome the AI innovation package unveiled by the European Commission in January, a start package that could bolster in the future Europe’s AI capabilities and global competitiveness. Finally, know more about the receptiveness to restructuring the European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT), following calls from member states and MEPs.

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Highlights

⚡️ The Joint European Torus (JET), a facility funded by the EU and located in the UK, has achieved a world record in energy output while consistently generating fusion energy. It has set record of 69 megajoules by consistently producing high fusion power for 5 seconds, using only 0.2 milligrams of fuel. Know more here.

💼 Representatives from INESC participated in two Science Business conferences, where they discussed critical aspects of European research and innovation. Attendees included Miguel Correia from INESC-ID, José Carlos Caldeira from INESC TEC’s executive board, and Ricardo Migueis, head of the Hub. José Carlos Caldeira participated as a speaker, offering valuable insights into widening policy, impact assessment, and future predictions regarding European research and innovation initiatives. Check it here.

📄This week, Ricardo Migueis, Head of INESC Brussels HUB, took part as a rapporteur in a workshop focused on the findings of a report on Technology Infrastructures (TIs). The workshop, organized by Technopolis Group in collaboration with the European Commission, aims to aid the establishment of a European policy for TIs and enhance the Union’s innovation and resilience capacity. Check it here and consult the study for the workshop here.

Key Takeaways

-The EU’s Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP), an initiative aimed at advancing critical technologies, has encountered obstacles due to member states’ reluctance to allocate additional funds. As a result, the planned EU sovereignty fund has been reduced. Although the Parliament and Council have agreed on the revision of the EU’s long-term budget, STEP will now only receive €1.5 billion, a significant reduction from the originally proposed €10 billion. Know more here.

– The AI innovation package announced by the European Commission in January has received cautious optimism among start-ups. The plan includes the establishment of ‘AI factories’ to support rapid machine learning and large-scale model training. If implemented effectively, the package has the potential to enhance Europe’s capabilities and competitiveness in the field of AI. Know more here.

-Marc Lemaître, the Director General for Research and Innovation, has expressed openness to reorganising the European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT) in response to calls from member states and MEPs. Know more here.

Funding   EDA opens contest for best defence research papers The European Defence Agency (EDA) has launched its second annual competition for research, technology, and innovation papers. The competition aims to identify new technologies, methodologies, and applications that will enhance future defence capabilities. Early career researchers are invited to submit their proposals by March 29, 2024. The winning papers will be honoured at Eurosatory in Paris in June. Each recipient will receive a prize of €4,000. This year, the focus is on research proposals that could enhance designated EU defence capabilities if implemented by 2035. Know more here.   Funding and tenders open calls Remember you can check our new tool for all the open calls under the Horizon Europe programme. Meanwhile, these are the main open funding areas and grants right now: Horizon Europe: Cluster “Civil security for society” Horizon Europe: Cluster “Food, bioeconomy, natural resources, agriculture and environment” Horizon Europe: Widening participation and spreading excellence Horizon Europe: Reforming and enhancing the European R&I system Horizon Europe: Research infrastructures Horizon Europe: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Promotion of agricultural products Artificial Intelligence and Data Science   Start-ups give cautious welcome to artificial intelligence innovation package According to Science Business, the AI innovation package announced by the European Commission in January has received cautious optimism among start-ups. The plan includes the establishment of ‘AI factories’ to support rapid machine learning and large-scale model training. Additionally, it promises increased financial backing for generative AI through programs like Horizon Europe. However, concerns remain about the speed of implementation and the effectiveness of the initiatives. However, if implemented effectively, the package has the potential to enhance Europe’s capabilities and competitiveness in the field of AI. Know more here. Energy   The Joint European Torus reports fusion energy breakthrough The Joint European Torus (JET), a facility funded by the EU and located in the UK, has achieved a world record in energy output while consistently generating fusion energy. JET has been in operation since 1983 and is now approaching the end of its operational life, with decommissioning imminent. However, in its final series of experiments, known as the deuterium-tritium experiments (DTE3), JET achieved a significant milestone. It achieved a groundbreaking record of 69 megajoules by consistently producing high fusion power for 5 seconds, using only 0.2 milligrams of fuel. Fernanda Rimini, JET’s senior exploitation manager, emphasized the achievement, stating, “We have demonstrated the reliable creation of fusion plasmas using the same fuel mixture intended for use in commercial fusion energy power plants, showcasing our advanced expertise developed over the years.” The success was achieved through the collaborative efforts of more than 300 scientists and engineers from EUROfusion, a consortium of researchers across Europe. They contributed to the landmark experiments conducted at the UK Atomic Energy Authority site in Oxford. Know more here.   European Commission approves multi-billion euro investment in hydrogen infrastructure The European Commission has approved the implementation of the third Important Project of Common European Interest (IPCEI) called ‘IPCEI Hy2Infra’ to support hydrogen infrastructure. This project is a collaborative effort among seven Member States: France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, and Slovakia, in line with EU State aid regulations. Under this initiative, Member States will allocate up to €6.9 billion in public funding, which is expected to leverage an additional €5.4 billion in private investments. The primary objective of IPCEI Hy2Infra is to enhance the production and supply of renewable hydrogen, thereby reducing reliance on natural gas and advancing the goals outlined in the European Green Deal and the REPowerEU Plan. A total of 32 companies, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), operating across one or more Member States, will participate in 33 projects as part of this IPCEI. Know more here.   Commission launches new online debate on energy efficiency The European Commission has unveiled a new online forum, the ‘Citizens’ Engagement Platform,’ designed to foster discussions on key EU policies. Kicking off with energy efficiency, citizens are encouraged to share insights on its challenges and benefits, aiming to stimulate ideas for more efficient energy practices in daily life. The platform aims to gather diverse perspectives to inform the work of a panel of 150 citizens tasked with crafting recommendations for EU legislation, including the upcoming ‘Energy Efficiency First’ Principle recommendation. Know more here. Research and Innovation   STEP fund ends up as a shadow of the promised EU sovereignty fund According to Science Business, the EU’s Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP), which aims to develop critical technologies, has encountered obstacles as member states are reluctant to provide additional funding. As a result, the initially proposed EU sovereignty fund has been reduced. Despite surviving negotiations between the Parliament and Council on the EU’s long-term budget revision, STEP will only receive €1.5 billion instead of the originally proposed €10 billion. The entire reduced funding will be allocated to the European Defence Fund (EDF), indicating an increasing focus on defence spending. Nils Redeker, deputy director of the Jacques Delors Centre, stated that member states displayed little interest in creating a significant new fund for EU-level industrial policy. The Commission faced challenges in accurately estimating the financial needs of its industrial policy. This was compounded by strained member state finances and limited funds from the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), which contributed to their reluctance. Know more here.   Marc Lemaître backs ‘rationalisation’ following further calls for the EIT to be restructured According to Science Business, Marc Lemaître, the Director General for Research and Innovation, has expressed openness to reorganising the European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT) in response to calls from member states and MEPs. Suggestions have been made to streamline and simplify the structure of the EIT, with some advocating for its dissolution to reduce redundancy and better align with the European Innovation Council (EIC), according to Science Business. The Danish government has proposed discontinuing the EIT to streamline the upcoming framework programme in 2028. Lemaître acknowledges the need for rationalization, given the proliferation of EU research and innovation initiatives. He emphasizes the importance of reflecting on how to maximize the impact of scientific outcomes amidst resource constraints. Know more here.   Defence R&D should not be funded at the expense of other research in Framework Programme 10 At the Science|Business conference, stakeholders emphasized the need to ensure that defence research and development (R&D) do not overshadow or detract from funding for other research areas in Framework Programme 10 (FP10). Amidst ongoing discussions about the successor to Horizon Europe, concerns were raised that the budget allocation for defence and dual-use research should not come at the expense of other research fields. Participants stressed the importance of ringfencing the budget for non-military research to prevent any potential cuts. Hermann Hauser, co-founder of Amadeus Capital Partners and ARM, suggested that instead of increasing funding for dual-use research within FP10, the military sector should allocate more funds to the program. Know more here.   Ivanova visits UK to increase Horizon Europe interest After a three-year absence due to Brexit, the UK has rejoined the Horizon Europe framework program. Efforts are underway to encourage British participation, but concerns have arisen on the EU side regarding UK visa fees. Research Commissioner Iliana Ivanova, as reported by Science Business, visited the UK to officially launch its association with Horizon Europe, with the aim of rebuilding British involvement in the program. During her visit, Ivanova met with UK Science Minister Michelle Donelan as part of ongoing initiatives to reintegrate UK businesses and researchers into Horizon Europe. Ivanova emphasized the importance of simplicity and clarity in her message to British researchers and innovative businesses, encouraging them to apply for participation. Know more here.   Commission backs nuclear energy with launch of small modular reactor alliance The European Commission is pushing for the adoption of nuclear energy by launching a new alliance focused on small modular reactors (SMRs). With plans to have the first SMR operational within the next decade, the Commission aims to accelerate progress towards its 2050 climate neutrality objective. Industry partners are invited to join the alliance, which will streamline stakeholders and facilitate the development and deployment of SMRs. While the alliance itself doesn’t have a budget, it serves as a framework to coordinate industry efforts and decision-making processes. Know more here.   Chief of pan European research network advocates for a FP10 without overlaps and reduced fragmentation Erik Huizer, CEO of GÉANT, interviewing for Science Business, highlights a significant issue with EU framework research programmes: they often lack coordination with other funding mechanisms managed by the European Commission. For example, programmes such as the Digital Europe Programme (DEP) and the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF2) provide funding for projects similar to those covered by Horizon Europe. Similarly, the European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (EuroHPC JU) and the European Quantum Communication Infrastructure Initiative (EuroQCI) have overlapping objectives. Additionally, Horizon Europe includes initiatives that fund Common European Data Spaces, which are primarily financed by DEP. The landscape of funding programs is complex, with varying funding rates, indirect cost provisions, and eligibility criteria. This complexity creates a bureaucratic burden for organizations seeking funding across multiple schemes. Lack of alignment and coordination poses challenges for entities aiming to engage thematically and access various funding streams efficiently. Know more here.   Commission’s annual single market and competitiveness report calls for more focus on strategic technologies The European Commission has released its inaugural annual report on the single market and competitiveness, aligning with the EU’s Long-term Competitiveness Communication of 2023. This report tracks developments across nine key competitiveness drivers, including the Single Market’s functionality, access to private capital, public investment and infrastructure, research and innovation, energy, circularity, digitalization, education and skills, and trade and open strategic autonomy. The report highlights a slight decline in research and innovation (R&I) investments in the EU, which currently stand at 2.2% of GDP, falling short of the 3% target. It advocates for a stronger emphasis on strategic technologies, including those with dual-use potential, and urges measures to enhance the translation of research outcomes into practical business applications. Know more here.   EU enlargement: Potential new EU member states need a say on FP10 Anastas Mishev, a professor at North Macedonian University, stressed the importance of countries in advanced negotiations to join the EU having a say in the planning of the EU’s upcoming research and innovation program spanning from 2028 to 2035. He expressed the need for these countries to be included in the planning process to avoid being left out as mere spectators, as has been the case with previous programs, he told in a Science|Business conference this week. Highlighting the heavy reliance of Western Balkan countries on funding from EU R&I framework programs, Mishev underscored the necessity of continued support. He emphasized the desire to prevent a two-speed Europe and advocated for investments across all European countries and regions. Know more here.   The Guild calls for more long-term funding for European Universities alliances The Guild of European research-intensive universities is urging national governments and universities to collaborate with the European Commission in bolstering funding for European University alliances. In a statement, The Guild emphasized the need for “comprehensive support” from the EU for university alliances, stressing that EU funding alone is insufficient. The Guild underscored that sustaining the initiative will require coordinated efforts from national governments and institutional commitments. Ole Petter Ottersen, acting secretary-general of The Guild, highlighted the diversity in scope and operational methods among the alliances. He emphasized the importance of exploring various approaches, considering the university alliances as a dynamic experiment with multiple pathways forward. Read the full statement here.   EIC launches strategic procurement programme The European Innovation Council (EIC) has introduced the SPIN4EIC Strategic Innovation Procurement Programme, a fresh initiative designed to support innovators in accessing procurement markets across Europe and globally. Under this program, EIC beneficiaries will receive personalized support to familiarize themselves with procurement opportunities and participate as bidders in both public and private tenders. Additionally, the initiative aims to facilitate connections between innovators and both public and private buyers. The official launch event for the program is scheduled for February 22nd. Know more here. INESC News   INESC TEC seeks to help companies embrace digital transformation at lower costs INESC TEC is leading efforts to facilitate digital transformation for businesses at reduced costs. The organization recognizes 2024 as a year full of opportunities for those who are ready to embrace innovation. At a gathering held at Palácio do Freixo, attended by nearly 100 participants, the focus was on introducing the ATTRACT project, led by INESC TEC. The event brought together experts from different organizations, such as ANI, the European Commission’s DG CNEt, CCDR-N, EDIH Südwestfalen, PRODUTECH DIH, the University of Minho, and industry players like Celoplás and Inductiva Research Labs. The discussions focused on the significance of collaborative efforts among companies to find solutions and take advantage of financing opportunities within the ATTRACT framework. According to Vasco Teles, a researcher and project manager at INESC TEC, the integration of technology into production processes is imperative for businesses to undergo digital transformation. The ATTRACT initiative, which includes 24 major national technology and innovation partners, aims to support national companies and the public sector in accelerating their digital journey, with a focus on AI and HPC solutions. Know more here.   INESCTEC podcast: new episode explores high-value manufacturing and circular economy The latest episode of the second season of the INESC TEC podcast, titled ‘Ciência e Sociedade,’ is now available. The guests will explore the topics of high-value manufacturing and the circular economy. They clear the distinctions between circular and linear economic models, discuss the economic advantages of embracing circular principles, and examine successful case studies of companies that have implemented circular practices. In this episode, it is discussed how innovation can promote sustainable production and consumption patterns. The guests are Joana Desport Coelho, António Lucas Soares, António Baptista, and Luís Ferrão. Check the episode here.   HUB participates in workshop on technology infrastructures This week, Ricardo Migueis, Head of INESC Brussels HUB, took part as a rapporteur in a workshop focused on the findings of a report on Technology Infrastructures (TIs). The workshop, organized by Technopolis Group in collaboration with the European Commission, aims to aid the establishment of a European policy for TIs and enhance the Union’s innovation and resilience capacity. Check it here and consult the study for the workshop here.   INESC representatives contribute insights at Science Business conferences on EU Research and Innovation Representatives from INESC participated in two Science|Business conferences, where they discussed critical aspects of European research and innovation. Attendees included Miguel Correia from INESC-ID, José Carlos Caldeira from INESC TEC’s executive board, and Ricardo Migueis, head of the Hub. The first conference, titled ‘Rethink, reform or replace: how should the EU approach the design of FP10?’, provided a platform for exclusive workshops and debates aimed at addressing key issues arising from Horizon Europe and its potential successor. Participants discussed concrete ideas on how to navigate the evolving landscape of research and innovation in Europe. The second conference was titled ‘What’s on the Horizon?’ Framing the next 40 years of European research and innovation marked a significant milestone as the EU approaches the 40th anniversary of its first Framework Programme. José Carlos Caldeira participated as a speaker, offering valuable insights into widening policy, impact assessment, and future predictions regarding European research and innovation initiatives. Check it here. Job Opportunities – INESC TEC has 41 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 has 7 open positions. More info – INOV is hiring a infrastructure manager and a processing engineer. More info – INESC Coimbra has announced a PhD position Behavioral Operations Research and multi objective optimization in residential energy management systems. More info Events & Training  FEBRUARY – CoARA National Chapters Exchange Forum, February 22 – 9 am to 23 February 1pm, Porto, Portugal. More info here. – Access conditions to Technology Infrastructures, organised by the European Commission, February 27, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Brussels. Register here. MARCH – International conference CBRNE Research & Innovation, March 19, 2024 – March 21, 2024, Strasbourg. Register here. – R&I Week 2024, the European Commission’s flagship event on research and innovation, will take place from 18 to 21 March 2024 in Tour & Taxis, Brussels. The event marks the 40th anniversary of the Research and Innovation Framework Programmes and will focus on discussions on the future of R&I and its role in EU priorities such as technological sovereignty and competitiveness. During the event, participants will be able to attend various sessions: – 18 March: Opening of the R&I Week. Know more here. – 19 March: The 2024 EIC Summit. Register here. – 19-20 March: Belgian Presidency Conference on Innovation Procurement. here. – 20-21 March: The European R&I Days 2024. Register here. APRIL – Connecting Europe Days, 2 April, 11:00 – 5 April, 12:30, Brussels. More info here. – 4th Workshop on Neuroengineering: Brain-on-a-Chip Platforms. 4-5 April 2024. i3S – Institute of Research and Innovation in Health. More information here. – MSCA Presidency conference: Researcher’s careers – multiple pathways, 18 – 19 April 2024, Mons, Belgium. Register here. JUNE – 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 – European Sustainable Energy Week 2024, 11 June 2024, 09:00 – Thursday 13 June 2024, 18:00 (CEST), Brussels. More info here. JULY – Conference: IAMOT – International Association for Management of Technology 2024, 8-11 July 2024. Porto, Portugal. Organised by INESC TEC and FEUP. More info -14th International Symposium on Communication Systems, Networks and Digital Signal Processing – CSNDSP 2024, 17-19 July 2024, 9:00 – 17:30, Rome, Italy. Register here.