European Commission

To attract researchers to the region of South Moravia (Czech Republic), SoMoPro was launched this past summer. The programme is designed to attract top researchers to the area to lead research teams and enhance the international transfer of knowledge. The first call for proposals is open until 25 October, so get your proposals ready quickly!

The re-branded EURAXESS Ireland Services Centre and the web portal were launched on 8 September by the European Commission's Director-General for Research, Mr José Manuel Silva Rodríguez, during his two-day visit to Ireland. The updated EURAXESS Ireland office and portal provides both researchers and research institutes with information about being mobile and encourages mobility.

The recipients of the second round of Starting Grants were announced in early September by the European Research Council (ERC). A total of €325 million will be given to just over 240 researchers who will undertake their research across Europe.

30 June 2009 saw Croatia celebrate its entry into the European EURAXESS Services network and its full membership.

With the first year of the SER-MORE project completed, Serbia has seen its EURAXESS Services network grow by 25 organisations. This has brought together policy-makers, industry, universities and research organisations to reinforce Serbia's role in European research and encourage researchers to remain in or move to Serbia.

A spin-off initiative of the Technology Transfer Office of France's Ecole Polytechnique, PRESANS connects industrial technology needs to a professional network of experts and researchers.