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In this Morning Brief we let you know of €162 million available to fund Research Infrastructure projects, the opening of applications for the New European Bauhaus 2022 prize, the toolkit published by the European Commission to mitigate foreign interference in R&I and a call of expression towards an agreement on reforming research, amongst other relevant news.

Any comments or suggestions, hit me up with an email on teresa.carvalho@inesc.pt.

In today's Morning Brief:

In today’s Morning Brief:

€162 million available to fund Research Infrastructures projects

A new call for proposals to fund Research Infrastructures projects under Horizon Europe is open until 20 April 2022.

The call makes available up to €162 million to finance Research Infrastructures projects under three destinations and seven topics.

The applications will be evaluated by independent experts selected by the European Research Executive Agency, on behalf of the European Commission. Potential applicants are invited to watch the recordings of the 2021 Research Infrastructures Info Day to get familiar with the different call topics.

Find more information here.

 

New European Bauhaus 2022 – applications open

The European Commission is opening applications for the 2022 New European Bauhaus prizes. The 2022 edition will celebrate new inspiring examples of the transformations the initiative wants to bring about in our daily lives, living spaces and experiences. As in the first edition, this initiative will award young talents’ ideas as well as existing projects for sustainability, inclusiveness and aesthetics, bringing the European Green Deal to people and local communities.

Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Elisa Ferreira, said: “Now more than ever we need sustainable and innovative ideas to transform the way we live and work, while leaving no one behind. The New European Bauhaus rewards the best, boldest and brightest concepts for improving our regions and cities in a manner that is both people and planet friendly. Cohesion policy will continue to help transform these new ideas into reality across European regions, for the benefit of all our communities.”

Prizes will be awarded to projects and ideas that contribute to these categories:

– reconnecting with nature;

– regaining a sense of belonging;

– prioritising the places and people that need it most;

– fostering a long-term, lifecycle and integrated thinking in the industrial ecosystem.

Applications are open until 28 February 2022 at 19h00 CET. Find out more information here.

 

Call of expression towards an agreement on reforming research

The European Commission has called for organisations to express their interest in being part of a coalition on reforming research assessment.

The coalition will bring together research funding organisations, research performing organisations, national/regional assessment authorities or agencies, associations of research funders, of research performers, of researchers, as well as, learned societies and other relevant organisations, all willing and committed to implement reforms to the current research assessment system.

To access the call for expression of interest, make sure to click here.

 

Eureka R&D network due to announce first grant winners in new €1B Eurostars 3 programme

As reported by Science|Business, the Eureka R&D network’s new programme Eurostars 3, bringing together 37 partner countries, is all set to invest €1 billion in cross-border innovation projects over the next six years.

The Commission is yet to formally approve its expected €250 million contribution from Horizon Europe to the new programme, although all signs point to an imminent endorsement.

Peter Chisnall, CFO at Eureka claimed that it was too important not to launch as it is necessary to have other fora outside of Horizon programmes that can engage in R&I collaboration.

 

European Commission publishes a toolkit to help mitigate foreign interference in R&I

The Commission has published a toolkit on how to mitigate foreign interference in research and innovation. The publication outlines best practices to support EU Higher Education Institutions and Research Performing Organisations in safeguarding their fundamental values, including academic freedom, integrity and institutional autonomy, as well as to protect their staff, students, research findings and assets.

International networks of academic and technological cooperation play an essential role in finding solutions to our global challenges. At the same time, the expansion of activities involves a number of risks and challenges that research and innovation actors must take into account.

Make sure to read the publication, co-created with Member States and R&I stakeholders, contributing to the European Research Area Policy Agenda action on academic freedom here.

 

Digital Services Act cramped with amendments ahead of key vote in the European Parliament

As reported by EURACTIV, over a hundred alternative amendments were tabled on the DSA ahead of the plenary vote, with some critical comebacks and reformulations of existing proposals.

The amendments are a mixed bag of new bids, bring-backs of measures discarded in the consumer protection committee, and more moderate versions of proposals that have failed to secure a majority so far.

According to a Parliament official, there were no particular surprises, “but agreeing on a voting list will be a nightmare”.

If you want to read more about the proposed changes and reformulations make sure to click on the article.

 

Germany commissions world leading computer as it eyes quantum leadership

Germany’s Jülich Supercomputing Centre has added a quantum computer to its existing high performance computing infrastructure, enabling the centre to get involved in practical applications of quantum computing at a very early stage, as the technology moves out the lab and into commercial use.

Quantum computing and quantum annealing have a variety of potential applications, however, it is expected to take many years until these methods are technically mature.

To get involved in commercial applications of quantum computing at an early stage, Forschungszentrum  Jülich has set up the Jülich Unified Infrastructure for Quantum computing (JUNIQ), offering user friendly access to quantum computing systems for various user groups across Europe.

Ensuring technological sovereignty in quantum computing is one of the new German government’s promises. The race is just starting but Europe needs to get to work quickly if it wants to stay ahead.

Make sure to read this Science|Business piece here.

 

European Commission launches public consultation on renewables

The European Commission has launched a public consultation on how to improve permit-granting procedures for renewables projects and facilitating Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). The input will serve as preparation for a Commission guidance document, due for publication this summer, aimed at facilitating an acceleration in the deployment of renewables in the EU in the context of the ambition to achieve at least 40% share of renewables in the energy mix by 2030.

Administrative barriers, in particular in the granting of permits, have long been identified as a common bottleneck for the deployment of renewable energy projects which discourage potential investors.

The Commission has therefore decided to provide guidance on ways of reducing the duration and complexity of these procedures, and through this consultation is seeking to clarify the different aspects at play under current practices.

The consultation will run until 12 April 2022. More information is available here.

 

European Commission launches public consultation to feed into new EU strategy on solar energy

As part of the preparation of a new strategy on solar energy, the European Commission has launched a public consultation  on solar energy in the EU.

In the context of the Commission’s proposal to double the share of renewables to 40% by 2030, the consultation looks at how best to achieve the required increase in solar energy capacity. It underlines that the cost-efficient development of this technology, within a more integrated energy system, cannot be sufficiently achieved by EU countries alone and seeks to clarify what measures are needed.

In a series of 26 questions, the consultation is seeking to input on the main bottlenecks and barriers to investment under existing rules.

To find more information on this, click here.

 

European Commission launches public consultation on plastics

The European Commission has launched a public consultation on biobased, biodegradable and compostable plastics. The consultation will provide insight for preparing a new policy framework on these groups of plastics. The aim of the new framework is to address emerging sustainability challenges related to the use of the biobased, biodegradable and compostable plastics and by driving innovation, enhancing investment certainty within the internal market and increasing environment protection, all under the European Green Deal and the Circular Economy Action Plan.

The consultation follows the publication of the roadmap that outlines the objective of the framework – to address the emerging sustainability challenges related to the use of these plastics.

The consultation is published on the DG ENV website and is open for feedback for 8 weeks until 15 March 2022. Click here to access more information.

 

H2020 Research & Innovation workshop on waterborne transport

Together with the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) and the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (DG R&I), the Horizon 2020 project STEERER – “Structuring towards zero emission waterborne transport” – is organising the workshop “Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation delivering smart, green, safe and competitive waterborne transport”, on 7 February 2022 in Brussels, and online.

This workshop will present the results of seven years of investments in R&I towards smart, green and integrated waterborne transport, in the framework of the Horizon 2020 programme. It will also provide an outlook to the future in the light of the new Horizon Europe programme.

Three panels will be dedicated to:

– transformation towards zero-emission waterborne transport;

– competitive, connected and automated waterborne transport;

– safe and secure waterborne transport.

Click here to scan the QR code to access the event page.

More Articles

01/11/2023 – Lisbon crowned European Capital of Innovation, Canada´s association to Horizon Europe, €75.35B boost to the ERA, new energy projects for the Green Deal & much more

In today’s Morning Brief:
Funding
Calls open for 2023 Innovation Fund proposals with record €4B budget
Artificial Intelligence and Data Science
Utilizing Artificial Intelligence to develop the Smart Specialization Observatory
Fighting extreme weather with extreme computing power
Energy
Commission proposes 166 cross-border energy projects for EU support to help deliver the European Green Deal
Commission sets out actions to accelerate the roll-out of electricity grids
Microelectronics
EU and India sign semiconductor memorandum of understanding
Research & Innovation
Canada to sign Horizon Europe association deal next year
No more New European Bauhaus Mission
Nature-inspired flying robots: advancements in environmental monitoring
Over €75B of the recovery funds will go to European Research Area objectives
Lisbon crowned European capital of innovation for 2023
Maria Leptin’s perspectives on university challenges and innovation
EU’s Industrial R&D Scoreboard updates
INESC News
RTP3 features INOV’s AI-integrated inspection system in RiaStone production
APPRAISE system: INOV contributes to enhancing security in public spaces through innovative technology
INESC TEC collaborates on a European project that promotes the use of algae in sustainable aquaculture
INESC TEC’s podcast among the nominees for a national award
Job Opportunities
Events & Training workshops

Read More »

24/11/2023 – EU’s decarbonization push, INESC participates in Portugal’s Blockchain initiative, Horizon Europe budget boost for R&I & much more

In today’s Morning Brief:
Funding
EU Commission to spend €186 million promoting agri-food products in and outside EU in 2024
Commission opens search for technology infrastructure expert group
Artificial Intelligence and Data Science
Call for Contributions: EU-U.S. Trade & Technology Council’s first edition of AI terminology and taxonomy
Belgium to focus on a public sector European blockchain during its EU presidency
Europe still working with China on military and surveillance uses of artificial intelligence, report finds
EU launches new competition to give AI companies access to supercomputers
Energy
Plans to boost Europe’s Net-Zero technology production
Microelectronics
As microscopic materials proliferate, ensuring they are safe is a priority
Research & Innovation
European Parliament Approves 2024 EU Budget with Boost for Research and Innovation
Council approves UK’s inclusion in Horizon Europe and Copernicus Programmes
EU lagging behind on antimicrobial resistance research
Opinion article in Science Business: The European Research Area needs a reboot
EIT lauds impact of Regional Innovation Scheme in latest report
INESC News
INESC participates at BLOCKCHAIN.PT initiative
INESC MN partners up in semiconductor consortium
INESC TEC advances autonomous vehicle perception in THEIA project
The HUB hosts EARTO meeting on EU RD&I Programmes
HUB contributes at the INESC TEC Autumn Forum
Job Opportunities
Events & Training workshops

Read More »

17/11/2023 – Horizon Europe latest calls, the €85M boost next year to reach €12.9B, the approval of the Critical Raw Materials Act & much more

In today’s Morning Brief:
Funding
Horizon: €290M in funding for digital, industry and space
ERC sees rise in Starting Grant applications
Artificial Intelligence
OECD updates definition of Artificial Intelligence ‘to inform EU’s AI Act’
Study highlights AI’s economic potential amid EU regulatory focus
Energy
EU Atlantic strategy: what’s next?
Bioengineering
How can regenerative agriculture help the food system survive?
Regional Innovation Valleys for Bioeconomy and Food Systems” launch event conclusions
Research & Innovation
Horizon Europe: €12.9 Billion Boost in 2024 Budget
Commission welcomes political agreement on the Critical Raw Materials Act
Paper: How regional innovation ecosystems can improve participation in the European Framework Programme for R&I
European Space Agency looks to private sector to stay competitive
Technology readiness levels are getting a reality check to ensure innovations are socially acceptable
Research Management initiative advances strategic capacities in European research organisations
INESC News
Carla Gonçalves of INESC TEC recognized among Portugal’s green visionaries
Bactometer project secures runner-up position in EIT Health
Artificial Intelligence and humans collaborate to enhance critical infrastructure security
Job Opportunities
Events & Training workshops

Read More »