Research & Technology in the EU

Latest news about research and innovation policy in the European Union.

Europe raises red flag on future of animal species — 17 March 2010, 23:17 CET

The European Red List, a review of the conservation status of some 6,000 European species, is hot off the press and the results are not good. The data, which are compiled with the support of European Commission funding, show that 14% of dragonflies, 11% of beetles and 9% of butterflies are at risk of extinction within Europe. Even more alarming is the fact that some of these species are threatened with extinction at the global level. These species have been added to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species (TM).

MEPs back fresh EU money for low-carbon technologies — 12 March 2010, 00:52 CET

Euro-MPs have approved fresh EU funding for the development of innovative low-carbon technologies to help cut greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2020.

Scientists and SMEs join forces to fight influenza — 11 March 2010, 00:30 CET

Researchers and industrialists from Europe and abroad have clinched EUR 18 million in EU support for their collaboration on projects targeting influenza. In total, 52 research institutes and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from 18 European countries, as well as China, Israel and the US will work together on 4 projects to determine how influenza virus genes migrate, and how they pose a serious threat to the well-being of humans and animals. In less than a decade, the Commission has earmarked more than EUR 100 million for research on influenza.

e-Skills Week — 26 February 2010, 12:02 CET

The first ever European e-Skills Week highlights the growing demand for skilled ICT users and professionals to drive a competitive and innovative Europe. The campaign aims to inform students, young professionals and SMEs about the vast range of opportunities that ICT-related jobs present. The European e-Skills Week 2010 is expected to involve 300,000 participants in more than 100 activities. The events will take place across Europe with more than 20 participating countries.

Spotlight on EU projects in trust and security — 18 February 2010, 17:29 CET

The Journal of Computer Security has launched a special issue highlighting the results of six projects funded under the 'Information society technologies' (IST) Thematic area of the EU's Sixth Framework Programme (FP6). The journal's editors called on the six projects to submit papers because they received exceptional reviews in the ICT [information and communication technology] Trust and Security EU calls.

Committee on Industry, Research and Energy — 17 February 2010, 13:22 CET

Responsibilities, contacts and latest studies of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy

EU strengthens R&D ties with Egypt — 11 February 2010, 17:06 CET

The European Union will offer EUR 20 million to Egypt to promote research and innovation, Ambassador of the European Delegation in Egypt Marc Franco announced at the first Euro-Mediterranean Innovation Marketplace in Heliopolis, Egypt in late January. The funds will be earmarked for the Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) programme that was established under the EC-EGYPT bilateral Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement in 2007.

SETAC Europe Conference on science and technology for environmental protection (Seville, Spain, from 23 May 2010, 00:00 CET to 27 May 2010, 00:00 CET) —

The twentieth annual meeting of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) will be held in Seville, Spain from 23 to 27 May 2010.

EU and India launch biotechnology and health pilot programme — 04 February 2010, 16:36 CET

India and EU Member States have launched NEW INDIGO, a Networking Pilot Programme (NPP) on biotechnology and health. Their objective is to establish a joint infrastructure for advanced research in this growing and significant field. NEW INDIGO ('Initiative for the development and integration of Indian and European research') has received almost EUR 2.5 million under the 'Horizontal actions and measures in support of international cooperation' (INCO) priority of the EU's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7).

Contacts for Research — 21 January 2010, 12:49 CET

Contacts of the European Commission Directorate-General for Research.

The CORNET Programme for research-acquiring SMEs — 21 January 2010, 13:49 CET

CORNET - ‘COllective Research NETworking’ is an ERA-NET in the field of Collective Research. Collective research programmes benefit all or most of the SMEs working in the same sector or branch of industry. Any intellectual property rights generated through the project are typically distributed throughout the firms in the target sector.

EraSME research programmes network — 21 January 2010, 13:49 CET

EraSME is a network of 18 national and regional research programmes supporting SMEs, currently supported under the Seventh Framework Programme. Started under the Sixth Framework Programme, the EraSME project was the first to take an integrated transnational approach and make cross-border SME-research cooperation possible.

Cooperation for research-performing SMEs — 21 January 2010, 12:49 CET

The major initiatives that favour the involvement of SMEs include selection of SME-relevant topics, SME dedicated calls, a budget earmarked for SMEs within specific calls and coordination and support actions across the Themes.

SME participation in FP7 research projects — 21 January 2010, 12:49 CET

A step-by-step guide on how SMEs can participate in FP7 research projects.

Research for the benefit of SMEs — 21 January 2010, 12:48 CET

The aim is to strengthen the 'innovation capacity' of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Europe and their contribution to the development of new technology based products and markets.

The main objectives of FP7: Specific programmes — 21 January 2010, 12:48 CET

Knowledge lies at the heart of the European Union's Lisbon Strategy to become the " most dynamic competitive knowledge-based economy in the world". The ' knowledge triangle' - research, education and innovation - is a core factor in European efforts to meet the ambitious Lisbon goals. Numerous programmes, initiatives and support measures are carried out at EU level in support of knowledge.

FP7: How to participate — 21 January 2010, 12:49 CET

This guide provides a summary of some of the main aspects of how to participate in FP7: financial rules, dissemination and IPR, and consortium agreements.

Admission and residence of researchers from third countries — 07 January 2010, 18:01 CET

The mobility of researchers is a key element in the acquisition and transfer of knowledge. Member States, working with the Commission, need to step up their action to facilitate the entry and residence of researchers from third countries. The European Research Area is the lynchpin of EU research policy, and supporting the mobility of researchers is a key instrument in making it a reality.

Is your milk chocolate the genuine article? — 23 December 2009, 23:45 CET

Milk chocolate is a favourite in the holiday season, and thanks to a new measurement method developed by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC), consumers in Europe will be sure of what they are getting. This is a serious matter for a continent which accounts for up to half of the annual consumption of chocolate worldwide. The method has been accepted by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), making it an international standard.

The management of intellectual property by public research organisations — 21 December 2009, 20:16 CET

In order to promote the results of scientific research, the European Commission has adopted a Recommendation to improve intellectual property management and knowledge transfer by public research organisations (PROs). The Commission will thus contribute to the building of a knowledge society and establish a new milestone in the creation of the ‘fifth freedom’: the free circulation of knowledge.

EU Strategy for biofuels — 16 December 2009, 18:14 CET

The EU sets out seven strategic policy areas for the development of the production and use of biofuels by the Member States and developing countries.

Breakthrough for EU patent system — 12 December 2009, 00:27 CET

EU Member States have agreed on the main elements of the EU patent and a single European Patent Court. The agreement is seen as representing a significant step towards a final solution for the EU patent.

Cancer death toll in Europe drops — 30 November 2009, 23:58 CET

Cancer mortality in Europe has declined at a steady pace over recent years. New figures now published online in the journal Annals of Oncology show a drop of 9% between the first half of the 1990s and the period between 2000 and 2004 in the 27 EU Member States (EU-27). However, the researchers note differences between individual countries and also between the sexes.

Research & Innovation: Seventh Framework Programme (2007-2013) - Building the Europe of Knowledge — 08 December 2009, 01:01 CET

At the heart of the Lisbon Strategy, research is a component of a knowledge triangle (the other two being education and innovation) meant to boost growth and employment in the European Union (EU) in the context of a global economy. The 7th Framework Programme for Research, covering the period 2007 to 2013, is an opportunity for the EU to match its research policy to its ambitions in terms of economic and social policy by consolidating the European Research Area (ERA).

Research & Innovation: Seventh Framework Programme (2007-2013) - Building the Europe of Knowledge — 21 January 2010, 13:49 CET

At the heart of the Lisbon Strategy, research is a component of a knowledge triangle (the other two being education and innovation) meant to boost growth and employment in the European Union (EU) in the context of a global economy. The 7th Framework Programme for Research, covering the period 2007 to 2013, is an opportunity for the EU to match its research policy to its ambitions in terms of economic and social policy by consolidating the European Research Area (ERA).