Editorial message
Welcome to the September issue of ERA-Link USA News. We invite you to take a look at the currently available employment opportunities with several major European research agencies, including the European Science Foundation, the European Patent Office, and the European Commission itself, which is looking for experts to evaluate research proposals submitted to the Marie Curie Actions.
EU has just published a "Practical Guide to European Union Funding Opportunities for Research and Innovation," and you will find a link to it in this issue. We also report on our recent event in Chicago and give you a heads-up on forthcoming events around the country.
The ERA-Link USA teamFeatures
Better access to scientific articles on EU-funded research: European Commission launches online pilot project
Fast and reliable access to research results, especially via the Internet, can drive innovation, advance scientific discovery, and support the development of a strong knowledge-based economy. The European Commission wants to ensure that the results of the research it funds under the EU's 7th Research Framework Program (FP7), with more than €50 billion from 2007 – 2013, are distributed as widely and effectively as possible, so as to guarantee maximum exposure and impact in the world of researchers – and beyond. (SOURCE: Europa Research)
To find out more, please go to the European Commission's Research website, or download the document (PDF file, 5.83MB).
New EU/US Joint Workshop Nanobiotechnology website
The EU/US Joint Workshop in Nanobiotechnology was recently established to facilitate information exchange within the nanobiotechnology community.
Two web sites were developed to meet the information needs of this research community: the first lists bio related facilities, and the second has a repository of protocols for bio probes. You can find these sites at the International Nano Probe Network. The creators of the network hope that the site will usher in a new era of scientific and technical interactions, and promote a free debate on any and all aspects of nano and bio probes.
These are self-generating resources that become comprehensive and continually updated (wiki style) as everyone adds to the list. While the public can see the site, only registered members can add information to it (registration takes two minutes and site managers respond within a day). Registered users will be able to add entries by simple (Word-like) typing or by “cut and paste.” They will also be able to add links to their own web pages. (SOURCE: ERA-Link)
European Commission announced opening of the European Digital Library in the autumn of 2008
Digitization of cultural works gives Europeans access to material from museums, libraries and archives abroad without having to travel or turn hundreds of pages to find a piece of information. The dream of a European Digital Library that explores Europe's cultural diversity in books, music, paintings, photographs, and films – accessed by a click of a mouse - could become a reality.
However, further efforts by the European Union’s Member States are needed. Europe's libraries alone contain more than 2.5 billion books, but only about 1% of archival material is available in digital form. The Commission called on Member States to do more to make digitized works available online for browsing, studying, work or leisure. The Commission itself will provide some € 120 million in 2009-2010 for improving online access to Europe's cultural heritage. (SOURCE: Europa RAPID)
Read more about Europe’s new digital library.
Members of the first governing board of the European Institute of Technology have been appointed
Professor Julia King has been appointed to the first governing board of the European Institute of Technology (EIT). The EIT's initial governing board is made up of 18 professionals, providing a collective balance of expertise and experience from the worlds of business, research and higher education. The Governing Board members unanimously elected Prof. Dr. Martin Schuurmans, a Professor of Physics and former Executive Vice President of Philips Research, as Chairman of the EIT's independent decision making body. To find out more please visit the newly established European Institute of Technology website.
ERA-Link reports
European researchers’ get-together in Chicago, 15 September 2008
On 15 September 2008, ERA-Link USA, in collaboration with the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland, hosted a European researchers’ get-together in Chicago. The event was held in the newly renovated, stylish building of the Polish Consulate, located on the banks of Lake Michigan. The event participants represented research institutions such as Nothwestern University, University of Chicago, Loyola University, and Argonne National Laboratory, as well as the Kosciuszko Foundation, Chicago Chapter, and the Gaudeamus Group. Also present were Consuls General of the Kingdom of Netherlands and of the Czech Republic.
The Polish Consul General, Zygmunt Matynia, offered welcoming remarks and introduced visitors to the history of the building of the Polish Consulate. Designed by architect Benjamin Marshall (1874-1944), the Polish Consulate was one of the many landmark Chicago buildings he designed, including the Blackstone Hotel. Marshall was also known for his work designing theaters across the U.S. The Consulate was just re-opened after a 2-year long renovation, and we were the third group whose event those great premises hosted after their re-opening.
Dr. Laurent Bochereau, Counselor, Head of Science, Technology & Education, Delegation of the European Commission in Washington, DC, presented “Recent Directions in European Research,” focusing mainly on the currently available funding mechanisms for international research collaborations and researchers’ mobility (including Marie Curie Actions, European Research Council grants, as well as programs under the Collaboration pillar of the FP7).
Following the above presentation, Dr. Izabella Zandberg, ERA-Link USA Project Manager, briefly described objectives and activities of the ERA-Link network, and introducted services offered under the new umbrella of EURAXESS. A Q&A; session followed.
Participants were interested in whether the European Commission had programs for funding sabbaticals in Europe, and whether the above funding programs are open to non-European scientists. (They are. For example, the International Incoming Fellowship under the Marie Curie actions specifically targets non-Europeans).Presenters also elaborated on the plans for collaboration between non-European and European academic institutions.
The networking reception lasted beyond the planned 8:30PM ending time. It provided a great opportunity for the European researchers to sample Polish food and drinks. ERA-Link was invited to come back to the Polish Consulate next year to organize a similar event - and we surely look forward to it.
Forthcoming events
EuroBio 2008, Paris, 7-9 October 2008
EuroBiO 2008 – one of the largest international life science gatherings of the year is being held on 7-9 October 2008, in Paris. This year’s EuroBiO will attract more than 5000 people from 33 countries, including delegates and visitors from the whole of Europe, North and South Americas and Asia. It will be held at the Palais de Congrès conference center in Paris and will combine 1) plenary presentations with a series of discussions, and debates on the challenges facing Europe’s biotech communities 2) a business partnering convention 3) a career fair, and 4) an exhibition.
The conference falls within the French Presidency of the European Union, and has been recognized as the European Presidency Event in Life Sciences. It will provide an opportunity for biotech executives from both private and public companies to network, as well as give them insights into new perspectives for company financing. In these contexts, the program for EuroBiO has been completely redesigned. The core of the program is a series of debates - BioDialogues –that will deal with some of the relative short-term controversies surrounding life science and biotechnology. These issues are keenly felt particularly in Europe.
Find out more about EuroBiO 2008.
FP7 Workshop at the Society for Neuroscience Annual Conference in Washington, DC, 15 November 2008
ERA-Link USA and the Brain and Related Diseases Unit of the EC Directorate General for Research will co-host an exhibit booth at the forthcoming SfN Annual Conference in Washington, DC, 16-19 November 2008.
On Saturday, November 15, at 9:00AM-noon, the DG for Research, Brain and Related Diseases Unit, will offer a workshop on “EU Funding Opportunities in Brain Research.” An ERA-Link USA sponsored lunch reception will follow the workshop. (Workshop's program (PDF file, 105,25KB).
We cordially invite all European scientists attending this year’s SfN annual conference to join us for the workshop on the 15th of November and visit our booth during the conference (we will be in booth number 3237).
EU/US Research and Education Workshop, Georgia Tech, Atlanta, 17-18 November 2008
In an increasingly globalized economy, science and technology careers extend beyond national boundaries. Universities and research institutes worldwide are addressing these developments by setting up exchange programs, double and/or joint degrees, and foreign campuses. Several EU-U.S. co-operation ventures promote the training and mobility of researchers and are likely to be further developed.
On 17-18 November, the Delegation of the European Commisison, together with Georgia Tech, the National Science Foundation, the French Embassy to the United States and the French Presidency, will co-host a workshop devoted to the issues of internationalization of research and graduate studies. The workshop will be held at Georgia Tech in Atlanta. All research leaders and policy makers at universities, research institutes, companies, agencies, and research promotion organizations concerned with international exchange of researchers, as well as scientists with experience of conducting research abroad, are invited to attend.
The workshop will address the following questions:
- How to stimulate the development of transatlantic degrees to attract more talented young people into science careers?
- What innovative curricula are needed to prepare the next generation of scientists and engineers to engage in global R&D; careers?
- What scientist mobility schemes can best contribute to the building of lasting transatlantic networks of excellence?
- How the transatlantic mobility of scientists can contribute best to innovation in a global context?
Each session will feature an introductory speaker from the European Union and United States with three additional short presentations from each side. All participants are invited to contribute during discussions.
For more information, and to register, please go to EU/US Research and Education Workshop website.
Funding opportunities and fellowships
Young Entrepreneurs Initiative (YEi) will help you start a technology venture between the US and France
Are you currently starting a technology venture? Think global. The Young Entrepreneurs Initiative will help you study the feasibility of developing a tech-based venture between the US and France. Selected US-based entrepreneurs will benefit from a mentoring and networking program, and organized business trips to France.
YEi offers a free, confidential and personalized service, with one stop access to:
- A network of successful Franco-American entrepreneurs
- Lead customers and business clusters
- World class R&D; labs, shared platforms, and low cost resources to build pilot projects
- Business angels, VCs, and grants for early stage technology ventures
- The best R&D; tax credit in Europe with the opportunity to get off 50% of your R&D; expenses
- Incubators and local venture ecosystems with specific resources for US-based entrepreneurs
For more information on success stories, our partners, our services, and on how to apply, please visit the YEi website: The Young Entrepreneurs Initiative
Office for Science and Technology
Embassy of France in the United States
Tel: + 1 617 401 24 50
Contact the Office for Science and Technology by e-mail
Current calls for proposals
To access a full list of currently open calls for proposals launched by the European Commission, go to the CORDIS FP7 Calls page or INTERFACEUROPE Calls for proposals page.
Research careers and other employment opportunities
Vacancies at the European Science Foundation
European Science Foundation is an international network of 75 research funding and performing organizations and academics in Europe. ESF’s main office is located in Strasbourg, France. The role of the Foundation focuses on setting science agendas for Europe in a constantly changing European Research Area. ESF offers various job opportunities in both scientific and non-scientific arenas. Today there are 94 full time staff members representing 20 different nationalities.
Access current vacancies at the European Science Foundation (ESF) website.
European Patent Office recruiting scientists and engineers
The European Patent Office has openings for patent examiners at its offices in Munich, Berlin and The Hague.
The EPO offers:
- Long-term employment in an international environment at the forefront of technology, exemption from normal work-and residence-permit procedures
- Attractive salary, working conditions and social-security package (private medical insurance, pension benefits, relocation and support)
- Intensive initial training in all aspects of patent examination, follow-up courses and language training.
Full details, including the technical fields in which there are vacancies are available at the European Patent Organisation website.
Call for experts for proposal evaluation
The European Commission invites individuals to apply as prospective independent experts in order to be included in its database of experts for the Seventh Framework Program. Prospective independent experts are expected to have skills and knowledge appropriate to the areas of activities in which they might be asked to assist.
Applications may only be submitted via the online electronic submission form available at the CORDIS FP7 website.
EURAXESS Jobs
If you are a researcher planning your next career move, the EURAXESS portal provides links to information on career and grant opportunities in science and technology in European countries.
For further details, please go to the EURAXESS website.
Resources
Practical guide to European Union funding
A "Practical Guide to European Union Funding Opportunities for Research and Innovation" has just been published by the EU. In addition to information on combining the different funding sources, the guide also includes a description of each fund, advice for policy makers and an innovative Checklist and Scorecard. These allow potential beneficiaries to quickly identify exactly how they can access European funding at every stage of a project.
Download the 58 pages Practical Guide to European Union funding opportunities for Research and Innovation (PDF file, 360KB).