Research and Innovation Advancements in EU Parliament discussions on the Net Zero Industry ActThe European Parliament is making strides toward finalizing the Net Zero Industry Act, as reported by Science Business. The Parliament is gearing up for the second round of negotiations on the EU’s plan to bolster the domestic production of green technologies. Scheduled for January 22 and February 6, these negotiations follow the Council’s adoption of its position in December. Progress has been achieved at a technical level, and the proposed legislation aims to manufacture 40% of the EU’s strategic net-zero technologies in Europe by 2030. The strategy involves promoting investment and expediting production, including faster permitting for renewable energy projects. Know more here.
EU needs more capital to scale up innovations, Belgian prime minister tells MEPsAs explained by Science Business, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo called for increased capital infusion into the EU to bolster innovation during the launch of Belgium’s EU presidency. Expressing concerns about Europe’s competitive position in the global technology arena, he urged the EU to shift to a higher gear for sustained innovation, creativity, and economic productivity. De Croo emphasized the presidency’s focus on critical issues like translating and commercializing research results and fostering international collaboration, despite the challenges leading up to the EU elections in June.
De Croo highlighted the persistent challenge faced by EU innovators in accessing vital risk and venture capital, emphasizing the region’s strength in innovation but weakness in scaling up. Young entrepreneurs, he noted, continue to struggle in bringing their innovative ideas successfully to market. Know more here.
European Data Act enters into forceThe European Data Act has come into effect, introducing new regulations to promote fairness and innovation in the digital landscape. Enforced this month, the act addresses the use of data from connected devices, such as connected cars and wind turbines. Key provisions include clarifying the conditions and entities authorized to utilize specific data, ensuring customers can seamlessly switch between service providers, facilitating data transfer with confidentiality safeguards, preventing contractual imbalances, and regulating public sector access for specific public interest objectives. This landmark legislation is a significant step in Europe’s digital transformation, emphasizing an innovative and open EU data economy. Know more here.
EU launches €175M equity fund to prime private investment in defence R&DAs reported by Science Business, the EU, in collaboration with the European Investment Fund, has introduced the €175 million Defence Equity Facility (DEF) to boost private investment in defense research and development (R&D). The fund focuses on supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) engaged in pioneering defense technologies. EU Commissioner Thierry Breton sees this as a crucial step in improving financial accessibility, sending a positive signal to the market and stimulating private investment in defense innovation. The investment, spanning 2024 to 2027, aims to leverage €500 million by acting as the primary investor in independently managed private equity and venture capital funds. Know more here.
New Council of the EU recommendation on research careersIn late December of last year, the EU Council released a recommendation outlining a European framework aimed at attracting and retaining research talent. This recommendation envisions the establishment of a comprehensive research careers framework, aligned with a corresponding European framework for creating appealing and sustainable careers in higher education. The Council calls upon Member States to make commitments in support of these initiatives. Read the full document here.
European Commissioner Iliana Ivanova at World Economic Forum annual meetingIliana Ivanova, the European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education, and Youth, actively participated in discussions at this week’s World Economic Forum Annual meeting.
During the event, she engaged in a debate titled “Europe’s Rush to Innovate” alongside Nikolai Denkov, Prime Minister of Bulgaria; José Luis Escrivá, Spain’s Minister for Digital Transformation; Maria Leptin, President of the European Research Council, and Dimitri de Vreeze, CEO of dsm-firmenich. Ivanova outlined a strategic roadmap for R&I in three key steps: enhancing investment in Research and Innovation (R&I), fostering the growth of startups, and attracting and retaining talent. Check it here.
Report on actors’ engagement in the process of industrial decarbonisationThe European Commission has released a new report on “Actors’ engagement” within the context of the Industrial Decarbonisation Mutual Learning Exercise (MLE). This report delves into the diverse roles undertaken by various stakeholders, including enterprises, governments, and community groups, in the industrial decarbonisation process. It is designed to provide a comprehensive comprehension of these dynamics, integrating insights gathered from the third MLE meeting held online on September 19, 2023.
New study published on uptake of the MSCA Green Charter under Horizon EuropeThe European Commission has released a new study evaluating the initial implementation of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Green Charter. The study, based on a 2023 survey covering projects selected under the 2021 calls for Doctoral Networks, Post-doctoral Fellows, Staff Exchanges, and COFUND, highlights that certain sustainable practices have been more commonly adopted. These include utilizing teleconferencing and online tools to minimize travel, promoting eco-friendly travel options, raising awareness of sustainability issues, and attempting to reduce energy and water consumption. The findings suggest a need for the Commission to intensify communication on the Charter and provide user-friendly guidance on sustainability in research and project management to further promote the adoption of greener practices in MSCA projects. Know more here.
TECNALIA and Carlos III lead EU cancer support network project with Portuguese participationTECNALIA and the Carlos III Health Institute are spearheading a collaborative effort in Spain to establish a Europe-wide cancer support network as part of the European ECHoS project. As explained in their website, their research focuses on the diagnosis, prevention, and cure of cancer, with a specific emphasis on supporting the European Union’s Cancer Mission through coordinated research and development. The network involves 58 organizations, including governmental, health, academic, and non-profit entities from 28 countries, including Portugal, pooling cutting-edge expertise in a multidisciplinary approach. Know more here.
Building a knowledge valorisation community: the EU Knowledge PlatformThe EU Knowledge Valorisation Platform connects diverse stakeholders in Europe to transform research outcomes into sustainable solutions for the common good. Serving as an interactive forum, it fosters collaboration across borders and sectors, engaging academia, industry, public policy, and civil society. The platform promotes the exchange of best practices, knowledge, and expertise, enhancing policies and cultivating a culture of knowledge valorisation, entrepreneurship, and inclusive innovation in Europe. Your survey input is crucial for further developing this platform as a hub for knowledge-sharing and engagement among research and innovation actors in our network.
Open research collaboration must be EU’s ‘default approach’As reported by Science Business, the European University Association (EUA) emphasizes that open cooperation should remain the primary approach for Europe in international research collaboration, even amidst the current complex geopolitical landscape. The EUA underlines that universities, being inherently international institutions, should continue to embrace this nature.
While acknowledging the challenges related to security and ethics in international collaborations, Europe’s universities propose addressing these concerns without severing cooperation. The EUA suggests that managing risks can be achieved through specific arrangements, such as implementing stricter cybersecurity measures in defined contexts. This stance is part of the EUA’s response to the European Commission’s request for input on a proposal for Council recommendations on research security. Know more here.
2024’s wave of elections predicted to derail food security progressThe International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has expressed concern that the upcoming series of global elections in 2024 is anticipated to disrupt progress in food security, as reported by 4NewYork. President Alvaro Lario highlighted that political polarization is expected to be a significant factor in these elections, diverting the attention of both voters and world leaders from more pressing issues. Lario emphasized that the increasing number of conflicts is contributing to a dilution of momentum in international efforts to ensure long-term food supplies. Know more here.
US Department of Defense backs technology sharing with alliesThe United States has announced plans to enhance technology and science collaboration with allies and partners, forming a crucial component of a broader strategy aimed at strengthening defense industrial capacity in the event of a conflict.
The Department of Defense (DoD) recently unveiled its inaugural National Defense Industrial Strategy, which features a section advocating for increased technology sharing with allied nations. The strategy outlines the DoD’s commitment to collaborate with federal agencies, such as the Departments of State and Commerce, to bolster existing alliances and establish new mechanisms for sharing technologies and scientific knowledge with partners and allies.
These collaborative efforts will involve “joint programs” designed to foster and uphold technological superiority, with allied nations integrated into the decision-making processes of the Department of Defense. Know more here.
IAMOT 2024 Conference: Call for PapersThe call for papers for the IAMOT 2024 conference remains open until January 31, 2024. The 33rd IAMOT conference, scheduled for July 8-10, 2024, in Porto, will delve into the crucial role of Human-Centred Technology Management in shaping a sustainable future.
IAMOT welcomes high-quality original contributions covering various topics, including the human, socio-economic, political, and cultural dimensions of technology and innovation management. The conference will also focus on technologies facilitating the transition to a sustainable, human-centric, and resilient industry, along with themes like circular economy and sustainable technologies.
Those interested in participating can refer to the call for papers for detailed author guidelines, ensuring the submission aligns with the conference’s overarching theme and contributing meaningfully to the global discourse on technology and innovation. Know more here.
Horizon Europe: 2023 winners and losers revealedHorizon Europe’s 2023 outcomes reveal shifts in funding distribution, reports Science Business after going through the European Commission data. Italy’s grant share declines significantly, while Belgium, Estonia, and Lithuania experience notable increases. The UK and China witness further decreases amid geopolitical tensions, contrasting with the Netherlands, which surpasses Italy in grant funding. Belgium emerges as a standout winner, expanding its grant share by almost a quarter. Despite minimal signs of favoring less-funded countries, Ukraine doubles its Horizon Europe funding in 2023, reaching €20.3 million, up from €13 million the previous year. Know more here.
EARTO calls for more investment in RD&IIn an open letter to Ms. Ivanova, EU Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education, and Youth, the European University Association (EUA), the European Association of Research and Technology Organisations (EARTO), and Science Europe emphasize the pivotal role of EU research and innovation investments in tackling global challenges, strengthening the EU’s global competitiveness, and reinforcing its strategic autonomy. The letter stresses the importance of increasing the budget for Framework Programme 10 (FP10) to €200 billion. This augmentation is deemed crucial to empower Europe in finding solutions to pressing societal challenges, promoting collaborative research, and leveraging private investments. Additionally, it will enhance the utilization of shared resources, expertise, and infrastructures to address challenges that extend beyond individual countries’ capabilities. Read the full letter here.
EU survey reveals citizen engagement insights on EU missionsThe European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (DG R&I) has released the findings of a survey conducted across six European countries (Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Poland, and Romania) to evaluate European citizens’ awareness and involvement in EU Missions. The survey is part of the “Policy Experimentation in Research and Innovation” project, funded by DG R&I, aiming to incorporate the concept of “policy experimentation” into the EU. Key takeaways stress the necessity of increasing opportunities and funding for citizen engagement, addressing participation barriers, and leveraging success factors such as local and community-oriented benefits, youth involvement, and diverse engagement methods. Know more here.
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