Publication. "Drivers of International Collaboration in Research: Final Report" been published. This report, written jointly by the Technopolis Group and the Manchester Institute of Innovation Research (The University of Manchester), is a synthesis of a project conducted on behalf of the European Commission DG Research. The study seeks to understand what policy considerations are made when establishing and implementing science, technology and innovation (STI) linkages with other countries. The report reviews the various drivers behind international STI co-operation and explores the interactions between these drivers.

Agreement. Today, the second 5 year renewal of the Science and Technology (S&T) Cooperation Agreement between the European Community and China enters into force. This second renewal was agreed on 30 November 2009 at the 12th EU-China Summit in Nanjing, China and signed at a ceremony attended by the Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso, and Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt. Through the S&T Cooperation Agreement, EU and China will further expand their cooperation in the field of science and technology in order to meet global challenges such as climate change and energy security. More info

Roadmap. A roadmap of cooperative activities in the science and technology between the European Union and the Russian Federation for the period 2009-2011 has been prepared. Russia continues to be the most succesful third country in participating in FP7. In the first two years of FP7, some 235 Russian research organisations are involved in 136 successful projects, receiving over 29 million euro of FP7 funding. The roadmap provides further information on these ongoing activities for each part of FP7 and also sets out potential new joint actions for the next two years to continue and extend EU-Russian research collaboration.

Agreement. Today, the European Community (EC) and Japan marked a firm commitment to strengthen their collaboration in research by signing a Science and Technology (S&T) Cooperation Agreement . This agreement will help them identify common research priorities and areas of common interest, such as energy and environment, in which joint research efforts could be particularly promising. It will also provide a framework to establish mechanisms for enhanced S&T cooperation, such as reciprocal participation in research programmes, exchange of researchers, and coordinated calls for proposals.

Agreement. Today, the European Community (EC) signed a Science and Technology (S&T) Cooperation Agreement with Jordan. This agreement will help structure and enhance S&T cooperation in areas of common interest such as energy and sustainable development where joint research efforts could bring common solutions and mutual benefits. It opens a new chapter of scientific cooperation between the EC and Jordan, an important partner in the EU´s neighbourhood policy.

Publication. "Reinforcing Strategic Partnerships: International Cooperation BILAT project, call 2007" is now available. The BILAT projects will develop and enhance S&T Partnerships with third countries by supportinig activities which will be implemented to stimulate, encourage and facilitate the participation of organisations from these countries in the priority thematic areas of FP7. The first wave of funded projects targets the following countries: South Korea, Russia, New Zealand, South Africa, Chile, Ukraine, Tunisia, Morocco, Australia, Mexico, India, China and Brazil. More information

Publication. "Speaking with One Voice: International Cooperation ERA-NET projects, call 2007" is now available. The ERA-NET projects will step up the cooperation and coordination of research programmes carried out at national or regional level in the Member or Associated States through the networking of research programmes, towards their mutual opening and the development and implementation of joint activities. The first wave of funded projects targets the following regions/countries: South Korea, Russia, Black Sea Region, India and South East Europe. More information

Conference. "Working Together to Strengthen Research" in Brussels from 21 to 23 October 2009. Stakeholders will debate key European Research Area (ERA) policy initiatives. Contribute your ideas via the conference conference blog. Follow the debate live via webstreaming. A special issue of Research*eu, "European Research: Where are we now?" has been prepared for this occasion and includes ERA accomplishments and major challenges ahead.

Video. Commissioner Potocnik introduces the Africa Call 2010.

Call for proposals. Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) has launched a call for proposals to fund researchers in Japan for participating in EU research consortia under 11 topics in three Themes of the 7th EU Research Framework Programme (FP7): “Environment (including Climate Change)", "Biotechnologies, Food and Agriculture", and "Industrial Technologies".

Publication. A short guideline on proposal submission and negotiation with third country participants in the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) can be found here. More info

Star projects. Scientists from the CALTER project (‘Long-term ecological research programme for monitoring Aeolian soil erosion in central Asia’) are investigating the dust storms that sweep across Central Asia, causing problems for both human health and agriculture. More info

Commissioner's mission to Africa. The EC Commissioner for Research, Janez Potocnik, will visit Africa (Kenya and Ethiopia) from 7-9 September in order to hold high-level political meetings and visit EU-supported research centres in Nairobi (Kenya) and in Addis-Ababa (Ethiopia). This visit takes place in the framework of the Science & Technology Partnership established between the African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU) in December 2007. A press release, an op-ed piece and a leaflet have been produced in coordination with this occasion.

Call and Info Day regarding Africa. On 30 July 2009, the European Commission launched a call for proposals entirely dedicated to research for Africa. Up to €63 million will be allocated to research projects in 2010 aiming to improve health conditions as well as water and food security in Africa. Supported research activities will involve African partners with the aim to strengthen Africa's research base. An information Day regarding this call will be held in Brussels on 18th September 2009. EU Research Commissioner Potocnik and a representative from the African Union will open the Information Day. More information Call information

Publication. Evaluation of a national research system: Morocco is now available. European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research and Technological Development (DG RTD) financed an external evaluation of the Moroccan national research system, a requested initiated by Morocco. This book states how the evaluation was carried out, and summarises its outcomes. More information

Extension of the S & T agreement between the European Community and the United States of America. Signed in 1998 and renewed in 2004, the Science & Technological Cooperation Agreement between the European Community and the United States of America has just been extended for an additional period of 5 years until 2013. The scope of the cooperation has been enlarged and the list of sectors for cooperative activities now includes security and space research. Science and Technological Cooperation Agreements constitute a framework and a privileged forum for policy dialogue, to identify common interests, priorities, and the necessary tools for S&T collaboration. The European Community has concluded bilateral S&T Cooperation Agreements so far with 17 countries.

Publication.The Compendium on Science and Research Cooperation between the European Union and the Russian Federation is now available here (PDF 8 MB)

Upcoming event.Bogor, Indonesia, 11-12 November 2009. SEA-EU-NET Second Stakeholder conference with thematic sessions on Food, Health and Energy and Bogor conference 2009 on Climate Change: Mitigation and Adaptation. More information

Upcoming event. Information & Brokerage event on FP7 Environment (including climate change). 19-20 October 2009, Yerevan, Armenia. The event will bring together EU and EECA researchers and other stakeholders and provide ground for discussion and networking within the scope of the Environment (including climate change) Theme. More info

Upcoming event.Information & Brokerage Event on FP7 NMP/INCO, 17-18 September 2009, Warsaw, Poland. The event will bring together the skills and knowledge of potential consortia members from the EU and partnering countries of the Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA) region and present concrete project ideas for future successful proposals with NMP 2010 calls. More info

The European Community and ASEAN agreed to strengthen the cooperative links between the two regions through a regular policy dialogue in science and technology. More info

FP7 INFO Day in Montevideo, Uruguay.
The packed event took place in the Ministry for Education and Culture and was opened by Minister María Simon. Research managers and researchers heard about forthcoming opportunities in across the Cooperation and People programmes and interacted with the Commission and ministry representatives on how to build further on Uruguay's already good participation in FP7. En espanol

Argentinean S&T Minister Lino Barañao and European Commission Research Director General José Manuel Silva Rodríguez presided the meeting.
Key points discussed were the implementation of project twinning between European, Argentinean and regional MERCOSUR research projects in the area of Food, Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and discussions as to where scientific cooperation 'can make a difference'. More info

Twinning of research projects in Food, Agriculture, Fisheries and Biotechnology, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Some 100 research managers and researchers participated in the FP7 Info Day event opened by Agueda Menvielle, Director International Relations of the Argentinean S&T Ministry (MinCyT) and Cornelia E. Nauen, Sr. Policy Officer of the EC's Research DG. Presentations on results, experience with past collaborations and upcoming cooperation opportunities followed by Q and A. programme

FP7 Info Day in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The first twinning workshop between coordinators of several European, five Argentinean and two MERCOSUR biotechnology research projects sought to identify joint activities of mutual interest and benefit between two or more preselected projects. The successful workshop was opened by the Argentinean S&T Minister Barañao and EC Ambassador Martín Prada.

The fourth meeting of the Steering Committee of the EC-Chile Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement took place today in Brussels.
The Steering Committee discussed reports about preparatory meetings with many thematic services and other DGs and laid the foundation for updating the Roadmap of cooperation. Click here for the group photo.

The INCO-Wiki compiles relevant information on International Cooperation activities in the 7th Framework Programme of the EU. It has an open philosophy (easy access, free information). Allows interaction and exchange of experience. Content is elaborated collaboratively. There is unlimited space and limitless possibilities to add information. Read more

A website dedicated to the Italy-Egypt Year of Science has been launched. Visit the website.

The 2008 Science, Technology and Competititveness (ST&C) key figures report is now available.
It provides, for the first time, an overview of the progress towards increasing and improving EU R&D investment and implementing the European Research Area from 2000 to 2006. Press release. Read more