Welcome to today’s Morning Brief. The Morning Brief newsletter is only available to INESC staff and affiliated researchers upon subscription (weekly or daily), after creating an account in the Private Area of the HUB website. To do so, click the log-in icon on the top-right corner of this website.

In this Morning Brief, we open with Gulbenkian Science Institute’s open calls for Group Leaders, a webinar on Horizon Europe and the gender dimension and a lot of focus on the issues surrounding electricity and renewable energies that have been concerning the European Union and its member states.

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:

Gulbenkian Science Institute opens calls for Group Leader

The Gulbenkian Science Institute (IGC) is a world-known international research institute that engages in ground-breaking research in the life sciences. IGC also has a strong history in innovative practices in training, outreach and fostering science in developing countries.

The IGC has opened two calls for group leaders:

Theoretical Science Across Biological Scales;

Experimental Science Across Biological Scales.

Both calls are open until March 1st, just click the links to apply!

 

Webinar: Horizon Europe – Quick guide to tackle gender dimension and cross-cutting issues

EMDESK is hosting a one hour seminar on 10 February at 14h00 CET to make sure attendees are ready for addressing the gender dimension and cross-cutting issues such as open science, social innovation and the role of SSH in Horizon Europe proposals.

Even if you can’t attend the webinar live, EMDESK will send out the recording of the session and other downloads to all registrants after the webinar, so make sure to click here to register.

 

Renewable energy on the rise: 37% of EU’s electricity

In 2020, renewable energy sources made up 37% of gross electricity consumption in the EU, up from 34% in the previous year with wind and hydropower accounting for the majority of the total electricity generated from renewable sources.

Among the EU Member states, more than 70% of electricity consumed in 2020 was generated from renewable sources. The generation of electricity from renewable sources was also high and accounted for more than half of the electricity consumed in Portugal, at 58%.

If you wish to look at the stats and more information on energy and renewable energy targets click here.

 

US launches measure to lure STEM talent from overseas

In a further move away from the Trump era, President Biden has announced a range of initiatives and visa tweaks to increase predictability and clarity for highly educated immigrants notes this Science|Business article.

These include a new initiative to facilitate researcher exchange and tweaks to visa rules to make entry into the country easier in order for experts to contribute to innovation and job creation efforts across the USA.

Read the statement by the Department of Homeland Security here.

 

EU invests over €1 billion in energy infrastructure in support of the Green Deal

EU countries have agreed on a Commission proposal to invest €1.037 billion in 5 cross-border infrastructure projects under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) for trans-European energy networks. CEF will provide financial support to 4 projects for construction and 1 study.

Well-integrated energy infrastructure networks are necessary for the energy transition, as they facilitate the integration of renewable energy, enhance security of supply and help keep energy prices in check. The allocation of CEF funds therefore supports the implementation of the European Green Deal.

To find out more about CEF grants and their first call on preparatory studies for cross-border renewable projects click here.

 

Commission appoints members of the European Group in Science and New Technologies

Yesterday, the European Commission appointed the 15 members of the new European Group on Ethics in Science and New Technologies (EGE). The EGE advises on all aspects of Commission policies and legislation where ethical, societal and fundamental rights dimensions intersect with the development of science and new technologies.

The newly established group brings together top-tier experts from across Europe and the world. Its members have a far reaching understanding of current and emerging ethical developments and bring wealth of experience from academia, ethical and government advisory bodies. One of the new members is Maria do Céu Patrão Neves, former Portuguese MEP and current Professor at Georgetown University.

Find out more about the role of the group here.

 

Europe needs a strategy for seasonal energy balancing

In this new EURACTIV column, Nikos Tsafos, the James R. Schlesinger chair in energy and geopolitics at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), notes that as the role of gas in the energy system evolves, the approach to meeting winter peak demand must also keep up.

The importance of seasonality in the current crisis is clear. Markets are obsessed with the amount of natural gas in storage. High gas prices resulted not from an actual shortage but from fear that Europe might not have enough gas to make it through the winter. Tsafos argues that someone needs to be responsible for supply security amid crisis.

To read the article click here.

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 »