Welcome to today’s Morning Brief. The Morning Brief newsletter is available to INESC staff and affiliated researchers upon subscription, after creating an account in the Private Area of the HUB website, or those who wish to subscribe. To do so, click the log-in icon on the top-right corner of this website or go to the Morning Brief page and click the subscribe button.
Contact us:
Mariana Santos, Communications Officer
mariana.f.santos@inesctec.pt
In today's Morning Brief:
Editorial: When policy lags reality: the need for a disruptive FP10
At INESC Brussels HUB we are currently finalising a comprehensive positioning towards FP10, but one thing is clear: we advocate for a paradigm shift that seeks balanced funding across the programme’s pillars but also places strategic focus on knowledge valorisation.
We call for a strategic valorization of knowledge: the traditional pillars of research and innovation demand a bold synthesis, and we need to recreate and reinforce the capacity of translating scientific excellence into societal and economic prosperity. The observed gap in this translation process across Europe, underlines the need for a realignment that champions the valorization of knowledge as the cornerstone of European resilience and strategic autonomy.
We believe we need a bold reevaluation: Europe’s aspiration to sustain its global leadership in innovation necessitates a reevaluation that transcends conventional funding structures. Our approach must be bold, prioritizing the creation of ecosystems where research, industry, and societal goals interlace seamlessly. Such a strategy underscores the imperative of a balanced and impactful deployment of resources, ensuring that every scientific advancement finds its pathway to societal application.
Check out the full editorial here.
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INESC Highlights
Unveiling the groundbreaking advancements and initiatives from INESC institutes:
- Portugal’s 1st University CubeSat Ready for Space Launch
- INOV Researchers Win 2023 Best Paper Award in Fire Sciences Journal
- PICadvanced and INESC Microssistemas e Nanotecnologias established a partnership to strengthen competencies in photonic chip encapsulation
- INESC TEC elects new Associative Bodies
- How INESC TEC is contributing to the decarbonisation of Madeira
- INESC TEC researchers strengthen partnership with CENTRA network
- Applications are open for an international mobility initiative at INESC TEC
- INESC TEC in France to boost “internationalisation”
- What wearable and Artificial Intelligence technology does INESC TEC have for Health and Safety at Work?
- INESC TEC visits Japan for a summit on the challenges of the Industry of the future
- Sustainable deliveries: researchers aim to support retailers in addressing environmental impact of online shopping
- INESC TEC technology travels to Brazil for invasive species monitoring
Fostering innovation and excellence within our community.
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We invite you to engage, to reflect, and to join us in shaping the discourse that will define the future of research and innovation in Europe.
Check the full version of the newsletter below or directly on our website and do not hesitate to contact us:
Mariana Santos, Communications Officer – mariana.f.santos@inesctec.pt
Ricardo Migueis, Head of INESC Brussels HUB – ricardo.migueis@inesctec.pt
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Deep Dive: A journey into the brave new world of robotics
“I’ll be back”. How many of you recall the first time you watched the T-800 (or the Terminator)? In 1984, James Cameron turned Arnold Schwarzenegger into an android, forever changing the way we perceive robots. In 1968, Stanley Kubrick had already introduced us to HAL 9000 in 2001: Space Odyssey; George Lucas, in 1977, introduced the best pair of robots ever: R2-D2 and C-3PO. We have come a long way; many science fiction films and books later, Iron Man is today’s reference of excellence when it comes to robotics.
Those who visit iiLab – INESC TEC Industry and Innovation Laboratory know, from the get-go, that this is not what they will find. But, beware! The lab does not develop robot vacuum cleaners. Let’s talk about innovative robotic solutions adapted to the industry, capable of addressing the growing challenges of the sector. There are robotic arms and mobile robots, there is Artificial Intelligence (AI) and augmented reality, there is room for experimentation and training. But there is, above all, science – and, with it, many ideas. So, we’re not that far away from other robots that have stolen our hearts, like WALL-E. Shall we embark on this journey together?
Read the full article. First published in BIP, INESCTEC Magazine, 27 March 2024
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Thematic Areas
Advanced Computing
The Ecosystem: Belgium’s self-reliant blockchain ecosystem
Artificial Intelligence and Data Science
Commission receives scientific advice on Artificial Intelligence uptake in research and innovation – Arlindo Oliveira was part of the working group that developed the report. You can download the documents here.
MEPs back plans on cyber solidarity and managed security services
Bioengineering and Health Technologies
Antimicrobial resistance: Commission authorizes a new antibiotic
Consultation about EU4Health Annual Work Programme 2025 (EU login needed)
NATO’s Biotechnology and Human Enhancement Technologies Strategy
Power and Energy Systems
MEPs adopt plans to boost Europe’s Net-Zero technology production
MEPs consent to the EU withdrawing from the Energy Charter Treaty
US Energy Program for Innovation Clusters
Other Areas
Automated mobility in Europe: where are we now?
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Transversal Areas
EU R&I Policy & EU elections 2024
Letta to call for US-IRA-style funding, pan-European state aid contribution scheme (EurActiv)
MEPs close several research files in final plenary before EU elections
Science ministers commit to better forecast and steer disruptive new technologies
Olaf Scholz adds to calls for capital markets union to solve EU innovation woes
High-profile report urges EU to create a ‘fifth freedom’ of research and innovation
Economists call for European Innovation Council reform to support more breakthrough research
Peter Droll retires as Director of “Prosperity” at DG RTD, Maria Cristina Russo leaves “International Cooperation” and takes over
Horizon Europe
Feedback opportunity for Horizon Europe work programme 2025 now open – The feedback opportunity will close on 6 May 2024 midday, CET
EU should spend more on Horizon Europe, Macron says
Commission adds extra €1.4B to EU research spending this year
Teaming Seal of Excellence success story from Slovakia
FP10
Viewpoint: the next framework programme must remember the human dimension
ERIC Forum: 10th Framework Programme Position paper published
Defence
We need actions not words, defence industry tells EU leaders
UK sets out major pivot to defence R&D
ALLEA provides feedback to European Commission consultation on funding for dual-use projects
EU Public Private Partnerships
International Cooperation
EU and Singapore open exploratory talks on association to Horizon Europe
Canada plans big rise in R&D and education funding
EU and Türkiye deepen cooperation on green and digital transition
UK & United States announce partnership on science of AI safety
EU and China agree to further cooperation on circular economy
Strategy, Foresight and Impact
Imperial and CNRS strengthen UK-France science with new partnerships
DSIT bolsters its leadership team to drive UK’s science and tech superpower mission
Focus on R&D system, not only on your careers, RMAs told
‘No magic bullet’ for providing evidence of impact
Research support ‘should be more than administration’
Research and Technology Infrastructures
UK backing leading physicist Professor Mark Thomson to lead CERN
‘Money can’t solve everything’ for Ukrainian research
Knowledge Valorisation
New Knowledge Exchange Platform (KEP) seminar on Knowledge Valorisation
US Adoption Readiness Levels (ARL): A Complement to TRL
Higher Education
‘Universities do not need to incentivise policy engagement’
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Job Opportunities at INESC
– INESC TEC has 26 vacancies in different work areas, such as Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Computer Science, and more. Find more at INESCTEC website and via LinkedIn
– INESC-ID has 3 open positions (2 Research Grants and 1 contract). Know more here.
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Events & Training
APRIL
– 1st Online Training “make your data FAIR”: Open Science Awareness, 30 April 2024, 10:00 – 11:00 CET. More info here.
MAY
– Innovation and new technology in crisis communication: opportunities and/or threats?, 2-3 May 2024, Brussels. More info here.
– European Cluster Conference 2024, 7-8 May 2024, Brussels. More info here.
– Additive Manufacturing Village 2024, 13-17 May 2024, Tournai, Belgium. More info here.
– Assessing national current FAIR-enabling capabilities. 14 May 2024, 14:00 – 16:00, CEST. More info here.
– European Committee of the Regions: Seminars on AI in research and on knowledge valorisation. 14 May 2024, 10:30 – 17:30, Brussels. More info here.
– EARTO Annual Conference 2024, 14-16 May 2024, Warsaw, Poland. More info here.
– 12th European Conference on Rare Diseases & Orphan Products, 15-16 May 2024, Brussels. More info here.
– The interTwing Digital Twin Engine: Discover the Environment Use Cases, 15 May 2024, 14:00 – 16:00 CET. More info here.
– High-level Event Threads of Change: Systematic Transformation of the Textile Sector, 16 May 2024. Online event. More info here.
– Competitiveness Council (Research and innovation), 23 May 2024. Brussels. More info here.
– Instruct-ERIC Biennial Structural Biology Conference, 23-24 May 2024, Cascais, Portugal. More info here.
– Seminar/Conferece: Restricted Dialogue on the EU Digital Education Policy, 28 May 2024, Ghent, Belgium. More info here.
– Incubation Forum: Circular Economy in European Defence, 28-29 May 2024, Brussels. More info here.
– The convergence of technologies enabling R&I for the healthcare of the future, 28-29 May 2024, Brussels. More info here.
– Table Top Exercise on Critical Maritime Infrastructure Protection (TTX CMIP), 28-30 May 2024, Brussels. More info here.
JUNE
– 8th World Conference on Research Integrity, 2-5 June 2024, Megaron Athens International Conference Centre (MAICC), Athens. More info here
– INDTECH 2024 Conference on Industrial Technologies, 3-5 June, Namur, Belgium. More info here
– Conference on research infrastructures, 4-5 June 2024, Brussels. More info here.
– ESPON seminar, 5-6 June 2024, Mons, Belgium. More info here.
– INESC Brussels HUB Summer School on Leadershio in R&I. Focus 2024: The Impact of AI in Research and Innovation, 5-6 June 2024, Brussels. By invitation only.
– Workshop: Enhancing SME Access to European Research and Technology Infrastructures: A Pathway to Innovation & Growth. 7 June 2024, Brussels. By invitation only.
– ESFRI Forum, 6 June 2024, Brussels. More info here.
– European Sustainable Energy Week 2024, 11-13 June 2024, Brussels. More info here.
– Accelerated development: A new era for health and life science cooperation with the Global South?, 18 June 2024, Brussels. More info here.
– EACR Early-Career Researchers’ Conference, 25-26 June 2024. Online event. More info here.
– Global approach: Is the EU’s international cooperation strategy working? Private Science Business Network workshop, 25 June 2024. More info here.
JULY
– 5th Internation ESS Conference, 8-10 July 2024, Lisbon. More info here.
– Conference: IAMOT – International Association for Management of Technology 2024, 8-11 July 2024. Porto, Portugal. Organised by INESC TEC and FEUP. More info
– Horizon Europe: The road ahead for the European Innovation Council?, 9 July 2024, 2:30-3:30 PM CET, Online event. More info here.
– Annual Network Planning Science Business, 9 July 2024, Brussels, Hybrid event. More info here.
– Summer Reception & Meet the new Parliament, 9 July 2024, 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM CET, Brussels. More info here.
-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.
SEPTEMBER
– Valorise this: How to speed and scale up tech transfer?, 12 September 2024, 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM, Brussels. Hybrid event. More info here.
OCTOBER
– Hot prospects: When will quantum tech reach the industrial mainstream?, 17 October 2024, 1:30 PM – 5:00 PM, Brussels. More info here.
NOVEMBER
– Horizon Europe: New priorities for the European Research Area policy agenda?, 19 November 2024, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM. More info here.
More Articles
01/10/2024 – 40 Years of EU Research Funding: Lessons Learned and the Road Ahead
Welcome to today’s Insider Roundup Newsletter. This newsletter is available to INESC staff and affiliated researchers upon subscription, after creating an account in the Private Area of the HUB website.
20/09/2024 – Shaping European Competitiveness Through Strategic Investments in Research and Innovation
Welcome to today’s Insider Roundup Newsletter. This newsletter is available to INESC staff and affiliated researchers upon subscription, after creating an account in the Private Area of the HUB website.
03/09/2024 – Editorial: Research, Freedom and the Common Good
Welcome to today’s Insider Roundup Newsletter. This newsletter is available to INESC staff and affiliated researchers upon subscription, after creating an account in the Private Area of the HUB website.
