Welcome to the MB, Thursday, 11th March. As previously announced, the MB is transiting to the HUB website, where all INESC researchers and staff will be able to subscribe and receive it on a daily or weekly basis. The specific page for Morning Briefs is still only visible through this link and not through the main website page. We are counting on having it fully ready from next week. Only then we will start opening it to INESC researchers and staff that are not part of HUB work groups and other active HUB structures. Until then, we will also start uploading information to the repository on EU Funding Programmes and Policy, as well as the collaborative spaces for the HUB´s thematic work groups. So, stay tuned! Until then, and from today onwards, we will also be including the INESC representatives in EARTO Work Groups in the mailing list of the MB.  Welcome to all! If you want to check previous MB editions, please visit this link, we are uploading them now, so the full collection will only be available next week.

EU4HEALTH programme approved: funding change in health systems post-COVID19

EU4Health is EU’s response to COVID-19, which has had a major impact on medical and healthcare staff, patients and health systems in Europe. By investing €5.1 billion, therefore becoming the largest health programme ever in monetary terms, EU4Health will provide funding to EU countries, health organisations and NGOs. Funding will be open for applications in 2021.

It is worth noting that this is a complement to the already existing funding in other programmes, namely Horizon Europe Health Cluster. It will, however, be related and it is important that researchers are aware of its main goals, among which are the strengthening of health systems so that they can face epidemics as well as long-term challenges by stimulating:

• disease prevention and health promotion in an ageing population;
• digital transformation of health systems
• access to health care for vulnerable groups
• making medicines and medical devices available and affordable, advocate the prudent and efficient use of antimicrobials as well as promote medical and pharmaceutical innovation and greener manufacturing.

Germany puts €56 million towards fundamental research in hydrogen

According to SB, Germany’s ministry of education and research today announced it will invest €56 million in 16 basic research projects exploring the possibilities for future green hydrogen products and applications. The fundamental research projects will complement three industry-led applied research projects funded by the ministry due to start this spring.

“I want to make Germany the world’s largest source of knowledge about green hydrogen,” said the country’s research minister Anja Karlizcek. “I am therefore hoping that basic research will provide valuable insights into the development and further development of products ‘Made in Germany’ that not only survive in international competition, but can also set new technological standards.”

Launch of the Digital Compass

As detailed on yesterday’s MB, on Tuesday the European Commission has launched its plan for Europe’s Digital Decade. The Digital Compass has been announced as the strategy to have Europe reach its goals of digitalisation and digital inclusion by 2030. As part of the Digital Compass, we must expect an acceleration of multi-country projects building on EU and national funding. The proposed areas of partnership include the development of 6G, Quantum technology, and the technologies used to tackle environmental challenges.

A roundtable on Chemicals strategy for sustainability

The Commission has opened a call for applications to become a member of the high-level roundtable that will discuss how to make chemicals legislation efficient and how to boost the development of innovative and sustainable chemicals. The high-level roundtable will be composed of 32 members, representing industry, science, and the civil society, and will advise the Commission on its sustainability strategy for chemicals development.

EC Workshop on Safe and Sustainable-by-design criteria

Along the same lines as the Chemicals strategy for sustainability, the Commission DGs RTD and ENV have organised a workshop on “Safe and Sustainable-by-Design criteria for chemicals, materials and products”. The workshop will take place next week, on March 19th, from 9.30 to 13 CET. It aims to gather stakeholders of the safe and sustainable-by-design concept and initiate with them a first exchange of view with them on its development.

EARTO Annual Conference, Friday, 12^th March, still possible to register

The EARTO Annual Conference 2021 will be held digitally on 12 March 2021 (from 10.00 to 12.45 CET). The conference focuses on “Ensuring Europe’s Sustainable Recovery through Technology”. It features high-level speakers from the European Institutions, Industry, as well as RTOs. Check the full agenda and register here.