Spreading Excellence and Widening Participation

The Czech Liaison Office for Research, Development and Innovation and the Czech Business Representation to the EU in Brussels are holding a debate on the Seal of Excellence. The debate will take place at the Permanent Representation of the Czech Republic to the EU on 4 April 2016.

The aim of this debate is to discuss national and regional schemes for the Seal of Excellence and share experiences on creating synergies between Horizon 2020 and the European structural and investment funds.

Brazil and the European Union (EU) have a long and successful track record of bilateral cooperation, particularly in the field of Science and Technology.

It is time to take a step ahead in this process and strengthen the cooperation in innovation. Identifying the opportunities and challenges for investing and funding innovation in EU and Brazil is the starting point of that step.

The European Commission (EC), The Brazilian Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI), the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP), the Brazilian National Council of State Funding Agencies (CONFAP) are organising the EU-Brazil Workshop: Coordinated Call on Advanced Biofuels.

Interesting data is available about the results of ongoing PCPs funded by FP7. Data shows first impacts on opening the market for new players, creating cross-border growth opportunities for companies, bringing research results to the market and contribution to growth and job creation in Europe.

The FOCUS project consortium has invited ten industrial experts from outside Europe to speak about the current and future research priorities of the European manufacturing sector.

The programme includes sessions on:

• 4ZDM-Zero Defect Manufacturing;
• Clean Factory;
• High Precision Manufacturing;
• Robotics;
• Maintenance & Support

'Destination Europe' events showcase the vibrant and exciting research and innovation culture in Europe and the opportunities available to researchers, from anywhere in the world, interested in working in Europe.

It is a joint initiative of the European Union and its Member States.

The European Commission has opened a public consultation on a new research and innovation initiative for sustainable food production and improved water management in the Mediterranean area. PRIMA, the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area, will involve both EU and non-EU Mediterranean states. It will reinforce international cooperation in research and innovation to address the food and water-related challenges that are critical to the region's sustainable development.

The European Commission is holding an Info Day on the Spreading excellence and Widening participation Calls in Horizon 2020. During the event the Teaming, Twinning and ERA Chairs Calls for 2016 will be presented.

This information day will take place in Brussels on 2nd February 2016 at the Madou Tower, Auditorium (1, Place Madou, B-1210 Brussels, Metro station Madou).

The event begins at 14:00 (registration from 13:30) and ends at 17:00.

Today, the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) is offering innovators from business, higher education and research the chance to join the expanding EIT Community. The EIT is launching the 2016 Call for new Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) for the creation of two new KICs: EIT Food and EIT Manufacturing, to add to the five already up and running in the areas of climate, digital, energy, health and raw materials innovation.

The Canadian partners of ERA-Can+ invite European and Canadian entrepreneurs and Small and Medium Enterprises to learn about our project and Horizon 2020—Europe’s current Framework Programme for Research and Innovation.

This webinar will also features the services as well as research and commercial opportunities offered by the Enterprise Europe and Enterprise Canada networks.

The European Commission is organising an information session in Brussels for Grant Coordinators, so they can learn legal aspects, business processes and IT tools used to prepare amendments and reports with particular attention to the financial aspects and eligibility of costs.

Come along to our info-day together with your institution's HR Manager to find out more. This event addresses all beneficiaries and potential applicants of H2020 contracts/projects who need to comply with article 32 stipulating the obligation to take measures to implement the European Charter and Code (C & C) for the benefit of all researchers and their institution.

Information day on Horizon 2020

The European Commission will invest almost €16 billion in research and innovation in the next two years under Horizon 2020, the EU's research and innovation funding scheme, following a new work programme for 2016-17 adopted on 13 October. The work programme is now available on the participant portal.

Come along to our information seminar to learn about the opportunities for Ethiopian researchers in the Horizon 2020 programme.

The purpose of the event is to inform researchers and research institutions on the European Union's Horizon 2020 programme, opportunities for Ethiopian researchers and conditions for participation. On the same day, the European Commission will publish the next calls for proposals of Horizon 2020 for the years 2016 and 2017.

Carlos Moedas, Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation said: "Research and innovation are the engines of Europe's progress and vital to addressing today's new pressing challenges like immigration, climate change, clean energy and healthy societies. Over the next two years, €16 billion from Horizon 2020 will support Europe's top scientific efforts, making the difference to citizens' lives."

The Annual Conference of EPoSS, the European Technology Platform on Smart Systems Integration, will be a joint event with the MNBS Consultation and Concertation Workshop on Micro-Nano-Bio Convergence Systems.

A Call for Presentations was launched for the EPoSS Annual Forum 2015 on 13 October 2015 under the motto “State of the (Sm)Art: Smart Systems Responding to Demand Side Requirements”.

The Call is open until 14 August 2015

ERA-Can+ promotes cooperation between the European Union and Canada in science, technology and innovation with a broad range of activities.

This Information Session will consist of several presentation slots during the breaks of the eScience Symposium in Amsterdam.

Venue: 3rd National eScience Symposium ArenA Boulevard 1 1100 DL Amsterdam The Netherlands

The European Commission and a group of six leading Turkish universities are organising a Conference on the Turkish Universities in the European Research Area in Ankara on 8 October 2015.

Horizon 2020 is the EU’s biggest ever programme for research and innovation, and it has got off to an excellent start. This brochure presents information on the first 100 calls for proposals that closed by 1 December 2014.