March 2009
“Brussels in Brief”:
Highlights on EU policies and funding programmes
related to the knowledge-based economy: The “Lisbon
Strategy”
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General EU Information
Council of the EU
European Parliament
EU policies and funding programmes for Research, Innovation, Training and Competitiveness
Research Policy
General points
European Research & Innovation projects
ICT
Health
Environment
Environment
Agriculture
Transport
Nanosciences
Space
Energy
Maritime Affairs
Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Development 2007- 2013 (FP7)
News
European Technology Plateformes
Joint Technology Initiatives
Innovation policy
Regional policy
Information society
Enterprises
Other EU Policies and funding programmes supporting the Lisbon Strategy
Environment
Health
Transport
Agriculture and fisheries
Energy
Maritime Affairs
Maritime Affairs
Research, Innovation, Training and Competitiveness related EU events
List of opened calls for proposals launched by the European Commission
Special chapter on training opportunities
Next Sessions in English in Brussels
Prochaines sessions en français à Paris et Bruxelles
Próximas sesiones en español
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General EU Information
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Council of the EU
2009-03-09 - Research investments key to European economy growth, ministers say
'Higher, more effective and efficient investments in education, research and innovation are a key factor for the sustainable long-term growth of a competitive European economy and should remain a high priority, also in the context of the current global economic downturn,' reads one of the recommendations adopted by EU research ministers at the Competitiveness Council meeting in Brussels, Belgium on 5 and 6 March.
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European Parliament
2009-03-16 - Strasbourg Plenary session
During the first parliamentary session in March MEPs discussed the economic crisis and passed wide-ranging legislation in the field of maritime safety. This should ensure that disastrous oil slicks like that from the "Erika" in 1999 along the coast of Brittany, are avoided in future. The European Day of Terrorism was marked by condemnation of fresh acts of violence in Europe and a moment's silence for the victims.
Más información2009-03-27 - Strasbourg Plenary session
During an event-filled session in Strasbourg, MEPs agreed new rules improving the safety of cosmetics, more tax on cigarettes, a provisional agreement on cheaper roaming costs for phones and new safety rules for European aviation. British PM Gordon Brown and Czech PM Mirek Topolanek offered different views on the current economic crisis. MEPs also debated steps to help Europe's ailing car industry and spend EU regional funds more wisely.
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EU policies and funding programmes for Research, Innovation, Training and Competitiveness
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Research Policy
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General points
2009-03-04 - Science as a tool for international diplomacy
Last year, the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) set up the Center for Science Diplomacy. In an interview with CORDIS News, the Center's director, Vaughan Turekian, talked about its work and explains why he thinks Europe offers one of the best examples of what science diplomacy can do.
Más información2009-03-30 - Updated EC legislation on the protection of animals used in research raises questions
The European Science Foundation (ESF) has urged European institutions to reconsider key points in the proposed revision of the directive on the use of animals in research. The revised directive, which was put forward by the Commission at the end of 2008, is scheduled for discussion in the European Parliament in the coming weeks.
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European Research & Innovation projects
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ICT
2009-03-03 - Software systems soar into the stratosphereA new 'roadmap' for software systems and services has been released that looks set to steer software development into the space age; more than 75 specialists, including research centres, universities, large industries and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) were involved.
Más información2009-03-12 - INTERESTED project making things happenThe computer industry is in hot pursuit of innovative, state-of-the-art systems that can meet its needs for prototyping embedded systems, i.e. special-purpose computer systems designed to perform one or more dedicated functions, often with real-time computing constraints. The INTERESTED ('Interoperable embedded systems: tool-chain for enhanced rapid design, prototyping and code generation') project, supported under the ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) Theme of the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) with nearly EUR 5.4 million in financing, is helping in this endeavour.
Más información2009-03-16 - EU-funded project to make new software more trustworthy and adaptableAn EU-funded project addressing the challenges of designing and maintaining long-lived and trustworthy software systems has just got underway. The HATS ('Highly adaptable and trustworthy software using formal models') project has been funded with EUR 5.27 million from the Information and Communication Technologies Theme of the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7).
Más información2009-03-18 - CHORIST project targets improved rescue safety and communication systemsNatural hazards and industrial accidents wreak havoc on people's lives, and the lack of appropriate emergency management or planning can trigger human, environmental and financial losses. The EU-funded CHORIST ('Integrating communications for enhanced environmental risk management and citizens safety') project seeks to increase the rapidity and effectiveness of interventions following a natural or industrial disaster, thus optimising people's safety and communications between rescuers.
Más información2009-03-18 - EU-funded project links researchers in the Black Sea region with GÉANTOn 17 March the European Commission launched the Black Sea Interconnection (BSI) project, a research and education network linking countries in the South Caucasus with the high-bandwidth, pan-European GÉANT network. The two-year project, coordinated by the Turkish National Research and Education Network (TÜBITAK-ULAKBIM), connects regional research networks in Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia and is funded with EUR 1.4 million through the EU's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7).
Más información2009-03-26 - How the Internet is affecting teens' worldsThe Internet has found a place in the hearts of many over the last two decades despite initial concerns that teenagers in particular, were entering the 'unknown'. Past studies documented risks for teenagers, suggesting real relationships and friendships would be rejected for cyber relationships. A study by a group of Dutch researchers published in the journal Current Directions in Psychological Science shows that the psychological benefits of the Internet may now outweigh the detrimental effects.
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Health
2009-03-02 - New drug resistance threatens to deal blow to malaria control efforts worldwideThe World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed its concern over the emergence along the Thai-Cambodia border of malaria parasites that are resistant to a previously highly effective drug. WHO fears that the Plasmodium parasites' growing resistance to the drug artemisinin 'could seriously undermine the success of global malaria control efforts'.
Más información2009-03-02 - Scientists discover new gene involved in cancer European scientists have discovered a new gene that plays a key role in protecting the body against cancer. The findings, published in the journal Molecular Cell, shed new light on how cancers arise and could eventually lead to new treatments against the disease. Más información2009-03-02 - EXGENESIS project sheds light on how regular exercise impacts well-beingChronic health conditions like heart disease, obesity and type 2 diabetes are rearing their ugly heads in Europe, and researchers have been trying to figure out what steps are needed to put a lid on this problem. For the EXGENESIS ('Health benefits of exercise: identification of genes and signalling pathways involved in effects of exercise on insulin resistance, obesity and the metabolic syndrome') project, improving our understanding of the mechanisms that underlie the beneficial effects of exercise, is the key. The project, supported under the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6), has received EUR 12.7 million in funding. Más información2009-03-03 - Research paves way for life-threatening bacterial infection test EU-funded researchers have demonstrated how a recently identified protein causes a simple bacterial infection to turn into a potentially fatal condition called rheumatic heart disease. The researchers are now using their newfound knowledge to develop a test system that will be able to identify the bacteria when the infection is still in its early stages. Más información2009-03-04 - Potential asthma breakthrough Researchers predict that over half of Europe's population may suffer from some form of allergy in the next six years. The pace with which allergies and asthma are spreading in developed countries is a concern that sufferers and scientists alike are all too keen to bring to an end. A recent discovery published in Nature Genetics may very well help to do just that. A result of the largest study undertaken on asthma genetics to date, a team of scientists have found several sequence variants associated with asthma that will contribute to a better understanding of this chronic disease. Más información2009-03-05 - Antibody breakthrough in 'mad cow disease' researchResearchers at the UK's University of Liverpool have discovered the atomic structure of the 'binding' between a brain protein and an antibody that could be vital in the search for a cure for neurodegenerative diseases such as variant CJD (Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease). Their findings are published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
Más información2009-03-11 - Scientists succeed in predicting eye colour from genesBy analysing just six genes, it is possible to predict a person's eye colour with 90% accuracy, according to new Dutch research published in the journal Current Biology. The study demonstrates that it is possible to use genetic tests to predict so-called 'complex traits' which are determined by several genes. The findings also have implications for forensics, where such tests could be used to help establish the likely appearance of a suspect who has left DNA at a crime scene.
Más información2009-03-11 - Genes may be responsible for cleft lip and palateGenes may have more to do with the formation of cleft lip and palate than previously thought, EU-funded scientists have discovered. Their study, published in the journal Nature Genetics, was funded by the EUROCRAN ('European collaboration on craniofacial anomalies') project, which was supported under the 'Quality of life and management of living resources' programme of the Fifth Framework Programme (FP5).
Más información2009-03-13 - EU-funded researchers discover new Alzheimer's mutationEU-funded researchers have discovered a new genetic mutation that causes Alzheimer's disease in people who inherit it from both parents. Interestingly, people who inherit one copy of the mutated gene from one parent (along with a healthy version of the gene from their other parent) appear to enjoy increased protection against the condition.
Más información2009-03-13 - Scientists pinpoint gene involved in tumour suppressionA team of EU-funded scientists has discovered a gene that plays an important role in blocking the formation of cancerous tumours. The findings could lead to the development of new cancer treatments as well as diagnostic tools to determine the most effective treatments. EU support for the study came from the CANCERDIP ('The use of methylated DNA immunoprecipitation (MeDIP) in cancer for better clinical management') project, which is financed under the Health theme of the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7).
Más información2009-03-16 - Computer surgery for high-tech health arrivesTwo new highly sophisticated methods for monitoring keyhole surgery and detecting disease have been developed that could revolutionise diagnostic techniques and surgery. One method uses state-of-the-art computer science to help surgeons pinpoint the exact position of a diseased cell and the other is a computer-monitored capsule that can travel through the body searching for signs of illness.
Más información2009-03-17 - UV light could slash TB transmissionInstalling ultraviolet C (UVC, a type of UV ray) lights in the upper part of wards and waiting rooms could cut the spread of tuberculosis (TB) in hospitals by 70%, new international research published in the journal PLoS Medicine reveals. According to the scientists, UVC lights, combined with fans to circulate the air, offer an effective, low-cost means of reducing infections in parts of the world where more expensive infection control measures, such as negative pressure rooms, are not an option.
Más información2009-03-17 - Searching for the seat of consciousnessWhere does consciousness originate? Is it purely a product of electrical impulses in the brain or does it arise from an indefinable and mysterious process quite distinct from the brain? The subject has been debated by scientists for centuries, but no definitive answer has ever been universally accepted. Consciousness, with its infinitive ability to evade definition, is one area of human biology that remains a mystery.
Más información2009-03-18 - Study shows steroids don't help childhood wheezingSteroid treatment is routinely given to asthma sufferers and can be vital during an attack, but it is often controversially given to pre-school children suffering from wheezing when they have a cold or flu. A new study suggests that this practice does not work; alternative treatments should be explored, especially since steroids can have serious side effects in children.
Más información2009-03-24 - Cancer cure rates in Europe on the up, study revealsGrowing numbers of Europeans are being cured of cancer and can look forward to enjoying the same life expectancy as people who have never had the disease, according to a pan-European study published in a special issue of the European Journal of Cancer. However, survival rates vary widely by country, region, age and sex, the research reveals. 'Europe faces a major challenge in reducing these inequalities,' the authors write.
Más información2009-03-24 - Pleasant music can enhance visual awareness in stroke patients, study showsResearchers in Spain and the UK have demonstrated that stroke patients who have lost part of their spatial awareness experience enhanced visual awareness when listening to music that they like. The study's findings, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, underline the importance of an individual's emotional state in modulating awareness.
Más información2009-03-25 - New reagents can fight MRSA and other hospital-acquired infections, study showsResearchers in the UK have designed reagents that are well suited to fight MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) and other pathogens associated with antibiotic-resistant infections. They showed how a class of ionic fluids can wipe out colonies of dangerous microbes growing on biofilms. Their discovery, published in the journal Green Chemistry, has implications for both medicine and industry.
Más información2009-03-25 - Gene modifies severity of cystic fibrosis lung diseaseCystic fibrosis, one of the most common life-shortening congenital diseases, affects children's lungs, intestines and pancreas. While it is understood to be caused by a defect in a single gene that causes the organs to become clogged with thick mucus, an international team of scientists has now identified a gene that modifies the severity of lung disease in people with cystic fibrosis. Their discovery, published in the journal Nature, could lead to new targets for treatment.
Más información2009-03-27 - Researchers uncover link between host gene and influenza responseHumans in recent history have succumbed to a number of severe pandemics triggered by the influenza virus. Intensive research has focused on the virulence and evolution of the virus, but information about how specific genes or genetic profiles in humans contribute to their susceptibility or resistance to the resulting illness is limited. Enter a group of researchers from the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research in Germany, which has found that in mice, an excessive immune response is responsible for a fatal outcome of the disease. According to the scientists, the immune response has a genetic basis.
Más información2009-03-30 - Scientists identify gene common to many cancersAn international team of researchers has found that the UTX gene, which is found on the X chromosome, is involved in several types of cancer. The newly discovered gene was found to play an important role in 10% of cases of multiple myeloma, 8% of oesophageal squamous cell carcinomas and 1.4% of renal cell carcinomas tested. The findings are reported in the journal Nature Genetics.
Más información2009-03-30 - Give a child puppet, help ease surgery anxietyMinor surgery, even if it doesn't involve anaesthesia or respiratory support, usually triggers anxiety in people, especially children. So how can they be helped? Hospitals often use puppet play as a method to prepare children for surgery, but a team of Greek researchers has conducted a controlled study to determine the impact of puppet play on children undergoing minor surgery. The results were recently published in the journal Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics.
Más información2009-04-28 - Teenagers listen to parents on smokingContrary to popular belief, teenagers do listen to their parents' views on smoking, and believe that they should act to discourage their children from taking up the habit, Swedish research reveals. The findings, published in the journal BMC Public Health, suggest that parents should be encouraged to dissuade their children from smoking as part of wider efforts to prevent smoking in the wider population.
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Environment
2009-03-04 - Could vinegar clean dirty water? The causes and effects of water contamination are well documented. We know of the harm that can be caused when waste from nearby factories leaks into groundwater. We know that this can lead to serious health problems and impact entire communities. But what if there was a way to reverse the effects of contaminated water by using simple organic materials? A team of scientists at the University of Leeds in the UK has found that vinegar may have the special touch to make chromium compounds in polluted water harmless. Más información2009-03-05 - Wildfires affected by climate changeRecent data and model simulations have indicated that anthropogenic climate change can stimulate fire activity, but paleo records (indicators of past climate) also provide us with a view into the past. By using these records, an international team of scientists has discovered that abrupt climate change during a phase of forest expansion can trigger more wildfires. Their findings were recently published online in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
Más información2009-03-06 - Drought threatens Amazon carbon sinkAn international team of researchers believes that droughts may have an adverse impact on the Amazon forest's ability to soak up carbon from the atmosphere. Their concerns stem from the fact that a recent drought triggered a slowing in the vast rainforest's growth. The findings of the 30-year study were published in Science.
Más información2009-03-11 - Rising sea level threat worse than expectedIf greenhouse gas emissions are not reduced, global sea levels are likely to increase by 1 metre or more by the next century. The dire prediction, made at the International Scientific Congress on Climate Change in Copenhagen, Denmark, announces significantly higher levels than those forecast by experts only two years ago. Could this be the alarm bell that signals the need for drastic change worldwide?
Más información2009-03-11 - Czech and Korean researchers clinch biomass patentA Czech-South Korean research team has obtained a patent on a new method supporting plant biomass production which will also allow the cultivation of plants with a bigger biomass production. Both the food-processing and pharmaceutical industries can, in theory, use the patent, according to the team.
Más información2009-03-13 - New monitoring equipment keeps a close watch on volcanoesResearchers from the Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden have developed monitoring equipment to measure the levels of sulphur dioxide emitted by volcanoes. The equipment will be used on 17 of the world's most active volcanoes and the results obtained will help scientists to predict volcanic eruptions and improve global climate models. It could also be used to measure pollution levels in cities.
Más información2009-03-18 - EU project upgrades flood research databaseEU-funded researchers have released an upgrade of their pan-European flood research database. The online platform is the first 'one-stop-shop' to allow European countries to easily exchange data gleaned from research into flood risk management. As well as providing information to policy makers, researchers, funding bodies and those working in flood risk management, the database is designed to help EU Member States implement the European Floods Directive
Más información2009-03-23 - EEA: Water use 'unsustainable' in many parts of EuropeEurope must dramatically cut its water consumption and use water more efficiently if it is to avoid the worst impacts of water shortage, the European Environment Agency (EEA) warns in a new report, 'Water resources across Europe - confronting water scarcity and drought'.
Más información2009-03-26 - Climate change affecting European birds, study revealsClimate change is already affecting Europe's birds, according to a new study by Czech, Dutch and British scientists. The researchers arrived at their conclusion after developing the first ever indicator of the impact of climate change on wildlife on the continental scale. The indicator reveals that while some species are doing well as a result of climate change, the ranges of many more species are shrinking. The study is published in the journal PLoS ONE.
Más información2009-03-30 - Study sheds light on Antarctic dust mysteryRetreating Patagonian glaciers are behind the abrupt changes in the amount of dust reaching Antarctica, new EU-funded research reveals. The study, published online by the journal Nature Geoscience, was partly supported by a Marie Curie Fellowship from the EU. The findings add to scientists' understanding of past climate change and should help researchers to refine their predictions of what may happen in the future.
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Environment
2009-03-04 - Could vinegar clean dirty water? The causes and effects of water contamination are well documented. We know of the harm that can be caused when waste from nearby factories leaks into groundwater. We know that this can lead to serious health problems and impact entire communities. But what if there was a way to reverse the effects of contaminated water by using simple organic materials? A team of scientists at the University of Leeds in the UK has found that vinegar may have the special touch to make chromium compounds in polluted water harmless. Más información2009-03-05 - Wildfires affected by climate changeRecent data and model simulations have indicated that anthropogenic climate change can stimulate fire activity, but paleo records (indicators of past climate) also provide us with a view into the past. By using these records, an international team of scientists has discovered that abrupt climate change during a phase of forest expansion can trigger more wildfires. Their findings were recently published online in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
Más información2009-03-06 - Drought threatens Amazon carbon sinkAn international team of researchers believes that droughts may have an adverse impact on the Amazon forest's ability to soak up carbon from the atmosphere. Their concerns stem from the fact that a recent drought triggered a slowing in the vast rainforest's growth. The findings of the 30-year study were published in Science.
Más información2009-03-11 - Rising sea level threat worse than expectedIf greenhouse gas emissions are not reduced, global sea levels are likely to increase by 1 metre or more by the next century. The dire prediction, made at the International Scientific Congress on Climate Change in Copenhagen, Denmark, announces significantly higher levels than those forecast by experts only two years ago. Could this be the alarm bell that signals the need for drastic change worldwide?
Más información2009-03-11 - Czech and Korean researchers clinch biomass patentA Czech-South Korean research team has obtained a patent on a new method supporting plant biomass production which will also allow the cultivation of plants with a bigger biomass production. Both the food-processing and pharmaceutical industries can, in theory, use the patent, according to the team.
Más información2009-03-13 - New monitoring equipment keeps a close watch on volcanoesResearchers from the Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden have developed monitoring equipment to measure the levels of sulphur dioxide emitted by volcanoes. The equipment will be used on 17 of the world's most active volcanoes and the results obtained will help scientists to predict volcanic eruptions and improve global climate models. It could also be used to measure pollution levels in cities.
Más información2009-03-18 - EU project upgrades flood research databaseEU-funded researchers have released an upgrade of their pan-European flood research database. The online platform is the first 'one-stop-shop' to allow European countries to easily exchange data gleaned from research into flood risk management. As well as providing information to policy makers, researchers, funding bodies and those working in flood risk management, the database is designed to help EU Member States implement the European Floods Directive
Más información2009-03-23 - EEA: Water use 'unsustainable' in many parts of EuropeEurope must dramatically cut its water consumption and use water more efficiently if it is to avoid the worst impacts of water shortage, the European Environment Agency (EEA) warns in a new report, 'Water resources across Europe - confronting water scarcity and drought'.
Más información2009-03-26 - Climate change affecting European birds, study revealsClimate change is already affecting Europe's birds, according to a new study by Czech, Dutch and British scientists. The researchers arrived at their conclusion after developing the first ever indicator of the impact of climate change on wildlife on the continental scale. The indicator reveals that while some species are doing well as a result of climate change, the ranges of many more species are shrinking. The study is published in the journal PLoS ONE.
Más información2009-03-30 - Study sheds light on Antarctic dust mysteryRetreating Patagonian glaciers are behind the abrupt changes in the amount of dust reaching Antarctica, new EU-funded research reveals. The study, published online by the journal Nature Geoscience, was partly supported by a Marie Curie Fellowship from the EU. The findings add to scientists' understanding of past climate change and should help researchers to refine their predictions of what may happen in the future.
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Agriculture
2009-03-23 - Researchers help solve mystery of double fertilisation process in flowering plantsBiologists in Japan, the UK, and the US have discovered that the gene DUO POLLEN1 (DUO1) plays an essential role in the double-fertilisation process of flowering plants. The new study, published in the journal PLoS Genetics, significantly advances our understanding of a process critical to the evolutionary success of flowering plants that has been poorly understood until now.
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Transport
2009-03-09 - Europe building greener technology for cleaner carsElectric motive power was kick-started in the 19th century and scientists have been developing it ever since. The EDISON ('Electric vehicles in a distributed and integrated market using sustainable energy and open networks') project, which got off the ground in late February, is targeting the development of a smart infrastructure that will alter the extensive adoption of electric vehicles powered by sustainable energy.
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Nanosciences
2009-03-05 - New EU project to spearhead development of organic nano-materials in electronicsA new EU-funded project is set to put Europe at the forefront of new developments in the application of nano-materials in the organic electronics and photonics sectors. The ONE-P ('Organic nano-materials for electronics and photonics: design, synthesis, characterisation, processing, fabrication and applications') project has been allocated EUR 18 million under the 'Nanosciences, nanotechnologies, materials & new production technologies' (NMP) Theme of the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7). The project counts 28 partners from 10 EU Member States.
Más información2009-03-11 - Europeans showing how big nanomedicine really isScientists have been making strides in the field of nanomedicine, a key subfield of nanotechnology tackling disease treatment, drug delivery and medical diagnostics. The EU-funded NANOMED ('Nanomedicine ethical, regulatory, social and economic environment') project is focusing on all aspects of nanomedicine, with emphasis on providing an objective answer to claims that this field will have a huge impact on the healthcare sector. The one-year project is funded under the NMP Theme (Nanosciences, Nanotechnologies, Materials and new Production) of the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) to the tune of roughly EUR 700,000.
Más información2009-03-12 - EU project to develop nanomaterials for more efficient solar cellsA new EU-funded project is turning to nanotechnology in a bid to dramatically ramp up the efficiency of solar cells. Called ROD-SOL ('All-inorganic nano-rod based thin-film solar cells on glass'), the three-year project has a budget of EUR 4 million, EUR 2.9 million of which will come from the 'Nanosciences, nanotechnologies, materials and new production technologies' (NMP) Theme of the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7).
Más información2009-03-20 - EU project to toughen up electronics for use in extreme environmentsA new EU-funded project is developing new materials for electronic devices and sensors that have to operate in extreme conditions. Dubbed MORGAN ('Materials for robust gallium nitride'), the three-year, EUR 9.2 million project is financed under the Nanosciences, nanotechnologies, materials and new production technologies (NMP) Theme of the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7). The project partners will draw on the combined strengths of diamonds and gallium nitride (GaN) to create the new materials.
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Space
2009-03-20 - Researchers reveal why Sun's atmosphere is hotter than its surfaceEU-funded researchers in the UK and US have helped to solve the mystery of why the Sun's atmosphere is so much hotter than its surface. They discovered that waves of magnetic plasma, initiated in large 'bright point' structures on the Sun, are energetic enough to heat the corona. Their findings, which are published in the journal Science, provide valuable insights for research into the use of nuclear fusion here on Earth.
Más información2009-03-26 - A European way of looking to the starsThe European Union has given the green light to continue its support for RadioNet under the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7). RadioNet has already proved instrumental in building a radio astronomy community in Europe (and beyond), a goal set and achieved with funding support under the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6). With a further EUR 10 million in funding from FP7, this success story has now set its sights on sharing facilities and knowledge with the global astronomy community.
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Energy
2009-03-03 - Europeans pursue better energy technologies The Nordic region is renowned for its work on the protection of the environment. For its part, the Research Council of Norway has announced that it will grant funding to eight national research centres for the development of environmentally friendly technologies. Each centre will receive up to NOK 20 million (EUR 2.26 million) a year for five years. Más información2009-03-12 - Renewables could generate 40% of power by 2050, experts sayWith higher oil prices burning bigger holes in our pockets and concerns about climate change gaining momentum, government officials and investors are stepping up to the plate by supporting renewable energy technologies (e.g. wind, solar and hydro power) that could generate 40% of the world's electricity by 2050, research presented at the International Scientific Congress 'Climate Change: Global Risks, Challenges & Decisions' in Denmark reveals.
Más información2009-03-19 - A switched-on device that switches off powerAlmost four billion electronic products are left in the stand-by mode every day in EU homes. This is the little red light that allows you to turn your television (and other appliances) on and off remotely. The European Commission estimates that the stand-by mode accounts for an outstanding energy waste bill of EUR 7 billion per year and consequently contributes 20 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere. A new product developed and marketed in Spain may help turn off the stand-by mode for good.
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Maritime Affairs
2009-03-11 - Deep sea fishing impacts greater than thought, experts warnThe impacts of commercial fishing appear to extend far deeper than expected. According to new EU-funded research, a study of fish numbers off the west coast of Ireland reveals that even fish populations living at depths of 2,500 metres, far beyond the reach of the fishing nets and lines of trawlers, have dwindled since deep-water fishing took off in the area in the late 1980s.
Más información2009-03-19 - Researchers predict Mediterranean Sea level riseClimate change and increased greenhouse gases will raise the level of the Mediterranean Sea and ocean temperatures in this area, a Spanish-British research team has forecast. The scientists from the Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Studies (IMEDEA) and the National Oceanography Centre of Southampton in the UK analysed simulations based on three scenarios. Their aim is to predict the sea level, salinity and temperature of the Mediterranean in the 21st century. The study's findings were recently published in the Journal of Geophysical Research-Oceans.
Más información2009-03-25 - German-Indian study dampens ocean fertilisation hopesThe potential of the Southern Ocean to soak up extra carbon dioxide appears to be more limited then previously thought, according to preliminary results from a German-Indian study. The aim of the LOHAFEX ('loha' is Hindi for iron, while 'FEX' stands for 'fertilisation experiment') study was to investigate the effects of iron fertilisation on the ecology of the Southern Ocean and its ability to soak up additional carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
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Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Development 2007- 2013 (FP7)
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News
Become an expert evaluator for FP7The website to register as an expert for research activities is available on CORDIS. The call for experts is open both for individuals and for organisations.
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European Technology Plateformes
European Technology Platform on Smart Systems Integration (EPoSS)2-3 February 2012, Besancon - dMEMS 2012
Más información
20 March 2012, Zurich - MEMS Executive Congress Europe
20-21 March 2012, Berlin - Microsys Berlin - micro-optics and micro-optical systems convention
21-22 March 2012, Zurich - SSI 2012: International Conference & Exhibition on Integration Issues of Miniaturized Systems
10-13 April 2012, Brussels - Graphene Conference 2012
8-10 May 2012, Nuremberg - SMT Hybrid Packaging - System Integration in Micro Electronics
30-31 May 2012, Berlin - AMAA 2012
10-14 June 2012, Montecatini Terme - 4th International Conference "Smart Materials, Structures and Systems"
13-15 June 2012, Graz - EURIPIDES Annual Forum 2012
26-28 September 2012, Paris - EPoSS General Assembly & Annual Forum 2012Forest Based Sector Technology Platform (Forestry)7-8 February 2012, Helsinki - 4th WoodWisdom-Net Research Programme Seminar
Más información
22 February 2012, Basque Country - ROK-FOR Conference: Innovative and Sustainable Wood Arquitecture and Construction
28 February 2012, Brussels - PROsumer.NET workshop on innovation
21 March 2012, Copenhagen - International Conference on Research Infrastructures - ICRI2012
26-29 March 2011, London - Planet Under Pressure 2012 conference
15 May 2012, place tbc - FTP joint Partnering Event together with COST
21-24 May 2012, Tours - Tackling climate change: the contribution of forest scientific knowledge
18 June 2012, Milan - 20th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
8-13 July 2012, Lisbon - 2012 IUFRO Conference
23 October 2012, Helsinki - 4th Nordic Wood Biorefinery ConferenceEmbedded Computing Systems (ARTEMIS)1-2 February 2012, Madrid - ITEA 2 PO Preparations Days 2012
Más información
1-3 February 2012, Toulouse - ERTS2 2012
1-4 February 2012, Vilamoura - HEALTINF 2012
22-23 February 2012, Stockholm - CELTIC-PLUS EVENT 2012
28 February-1 March 2012, Nuremberg - ARTEMIS Spring Event 2012
6-10 March 2012, Hannover - CEBIT 2012Nanoelectronics Technologies 2020 (ENIAC)7-8 February 2012, Frankfurt - Common Brokerage Event
Más información
26-28 February 2012, Munich - ISS Europe 2012 - 25th Anniversary
12-16 March 2012, Dresden - DATE Conference
9-11 October 2012, Dresden - SEMICON Europa
20-21 November 2012, Munich - European Nanoelectronics Forum 2012European Rail Research Advisory Council (ERRAC)17-19 April 2012, Dubai - GulfRail 2012
Más información
23-26 April 2012, Athens - TRA (Transport Arena)
24-26 April 2012, Stockholm - 10th UIC ERTMS World Conference "ERTMS - Global Dimensions"
10-13 July 2012, Philadelphia - UIC HIGHSPEED 2012, 8th World Congress on High-Speed Rail
18-21 September 2012, Berlin - INNOTRANSEuropean Road Transport Research Advisory Council (ERTRAC)14 February 2012, Brussels - Electrification Roadmap workshop
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15 February 2012, Brussels - Steering Group meeting
15 March 2012, Brussels - ERTRAC PlenaryEuropean Technology Platform for the Electricity Networks of the Future (SmartGrids)No events planned
Más informaciónEuropean Technology Platform for the Future of Textiles and Clothing (Euratex)29-30 March 2012, Brussels - 7TH ANNUAL PUBLIC CONFERENCE: "FROM FP7 TO HORIZON 2020"
Más informaciónFuel Cells and Hydrogen (FCH)9 February 2012, Brussels - FCH public information session and Brokerage event
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24 April 2012, Paris - Workshop of the International Energy Agency on On-site H2 supplyInnovative Medicines Initiative (IMI)27 February 2012, Brussels - Open Info Day: 5th Call for proposals
Más informaciónIntegral Satcom Initiative (ISI)22-23 March 2012, Bradford - PSATS 2012
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10 April 2012, Brussels - 15th ISI General Assembly
11 April 2012, Brussels - 5th SatCom Event
18-20 April 2012, Poznana - European Wireless ConferenceMobile and Wireless Communications (eMobility)10-11 May 2012, Aalborg - Future Internet Assembly (FIA)
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4-6 July 2012, Berlin - Future Network & Mobile Summit 2012Nanotechnologies for Medical Applications (NanoMedicine)27 February-2 March 2012, Dublin - NanoImpactNet – QNano conference
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29 February-9 March 2012, Saarbrücken - Biological Barriers 2012
3 April 2012, Brighton - Tissue Regeneration Strategies and Innovative Biomaterials in Orthopaedic Surgery
16 April 2012, Brussels - Innovation in Healthcare without borders
19-20 April 2012, Berlin - Spring Conference “Nanomedicine: Visions, Risks, Potential”
7 May 2012, Basel - European Summit for Clinical Nanomedicine 2012
18 June 2012, Varese - Nanobio-Europe 2012
30 June 2012, Thessaloniki - ISSON12 Summer School on Nanosciences & Nanotechnologies:Organic Electronics & Nanomedicine
3 July 2012, Thessaloniki - NN12 - 9th International Conference on Nanosciences & Nanotechnologies
15 July 2012, Amsterdam - Colloids and Nanomedicine 2012
13-15 November 2012, Grenoble - Nanosafe 2012Networked and Electronic Media (NEM)22-23 February 2012, Stockholm - Celtic-Plus-Towards a Smart Connected World
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20 March 2012, Brussels - 13th NEM General Assembly
10-11 May 2012, Aalborg - Future Internet Assembly
4-6 July 2012, Berlin - Future Network and MobileSummit 2012Photonics21 (Photonics)4-9 February 2012, San Diego - SPIE Medical Imaging 2012
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14-16 February 2012, Munich - FTTH Council Europe 2012
16 February 2012, London - The Smart Building of the Future
4-8 March 2012, Los Angeles - OFC/NFOEC 2012
5 March 2012, Brussels - Intensive Training on Entrepreneurship in Photonics
27-28 March 2012, Brussels - Photonics21 Annual Meeting 2012
31 March-3 April 2012, Tunis - 1st EOS Topical Meeting on Photonics for Sustainable Development – Focus on the Mediterranean (PSDM 2012)
2-4 April 2012, Eindhoven - Photonics PhD Event 2012
16-20 April 2012, Brussels - SPIE Photonics Europe 2012
17-20 April 2012, Moscow - Photonics. World of Lasers and Optics 2012
23-27 April 2012, Baltimore - SPIE Defense, Security and Sensing 2012
15-17 May 2012, Florence - Fotonica 2012
5-7 June 2012, Lyon - LumiBat - The international indoor lighting trade fair
19-21 June 2012, Jena - ICOB 2012
2-4 July 2012, Amsterdam - SPIE Astronomical Telescopes and Instrumentation 2012
2-6 July 2012, Thessaloniki - 2nd International Exhibition on Nanotechnologies & Organic Electronics
4-6 July 2012, Berlin - Future Networks and Mobile Summit
12-16 August 2012, San Diego - SPIE Optics + Photonics 2012
17-22 September 2012, St Petersburg - Sixth International Congress on Advanced Electromagnetic Materials in Microwaves and Optics – Metamaterials 2012
24-27 September 2012, Edinburgh - SPIE Security and Defence + Remote Sensing
21-22 November 2012, Paris - ForumLED Europe 2012Robotics (EUROP)22-23 February 2012, Vienna - CogSys 2012
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5-7 March 2012, Odense - European Robotics Forum 2012
5-8 March 2012, Boston - HRI 2012
8-9 March 2012, Megève - The third Augmented Human International Conference (AH 2012)
19-21 March 2012, Island of Kos - IEEE-ICIT'12 International Conference on Industrial Technology
11 April 2012, Guimarães - Robotica 2012
14-18 May 2012, St Paul - ICRA 2012
22-25 May 2012, Munich - Automatica 2012 - International Trade Fair for Automation and Mechatronics
4-8 June 2012, Valencia - AAMAS 2012
18-24 June 2012, Mexico City - RoboCup 2012
24-28 June 2012, Puerto Vallarta - International Symposium on Robotics and Applications (ISORA 2012)
24-28 September 2012, Thun - ELROB 2012European Technology Platform for Sustainable Chemistry (SusChem)17-18 April 2012, Brussels - SusChem's 10th Annual Stakeholder Event
Más informaciónSustainable Nuclear Energy Technology Platform (SNE-TP)11–12 January 2012, Paris - NUGENIA Executive Committee n. 1
Más información
30–31 January 2012, Karlsruhe - Executive Committee n. 13
20 March 2012, Brussels - NUGENIA General Assembly n. 1
21 March 2012, Brussels - Governing Board n. 9Water Supply and Sanitation Platform (WSSTP)15-16 May 2012, Brussels - “Water Innovation Europe” event
Más informaciónWaterborne ETP (Waterborne)22 February 2012, Brussels - SG 42 + Mirror Group
Más información
11 April 2012, Athens - TRA 2012Zero Emission Fossil Fuel Power Plants Technology Platform (ETP ZEP)7 February 2012, London - Carbon Capture and Storage: demonstration programmes and the 2050 roadmap
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14-16 February 2012, Warsaw - COAL: Here to Stay. The Reality of Europe’s Energy Mix
15 February 2012, Edinburgh - Carbon Capture and Storage Club
27-28 February 2012, London - Platts 6th Annual European Carbon Capture and Storage Conference
12-18 March 2012, Leszcze - CGS Europe Spring School on CO2 geological storage
22-23 March 2012, Shanghai - Asia Green Fossil Power Plant Summit 2012
26-27 March 2012, Edinburgh - Third EAGE CO2 Geological Storage Workshop: Understanding the Behaviour of CO2 in Geological Storage
29-30 March 2012, Beijing - 8th Annual Clean Coal Forum 2012
17 April 2012, Abu Dhabi - Higher Technology Conference
17-19 April 2012, Venice - 7th CO2GeoNet Open Forum and CGS Europe Workshop
26-27 April 2012, Brussels - European Business Summit
15 May 2012, Brussels - 3rd Annual Brussels Carbon Capture and Storage Summit
15-17 May 2012, Bali - Clean Power Asia 2012
4-5 June 2012, Malta - Eurelectric Annual Conference
12-18 August 2012, Beijing - 6th IEAGHG International CCS Summer School
2 October 2012, Brussels - ZEP General Assembly
9-10 October 2012, Copenhagen - Global Green Growth Forum
18-22 October 2012, Pittsburgh - One Young World Summit 2012
22-26 October 2012, Perth - CSLF Annual Meeting -
Joint Technology Initiatives
Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI)27 February 2012, Brussels - Open Info Day: 5th Call for proposals
Más informaciónEmbedded Computing Systems (ARTEMISA)1-2 February 2012, Madrid - ITEA 2 PO Preparations Days 2012
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1-3 February 2012, Toulouse - ERTS2 2012
1-4 February 2012, Vilamoura - HEALTINF 2012
22-23 February 2012, Stockholm - CELTIC-PLUS EVENT 2012
6-10 March 2012, Hannover - CEBIT 2012Nanoelectronics Technologies 2020 (ENIAC)7-8 February 2012, Frankfurt - Common Brokerage Event
Más información
26-28 February 2012, Munich - ISS Europe 2012 - 25th Anniversary
12-16 March 2012, Dresden - DATE Conference
9-11 October 2012, Dresden - SEMICON Europa
20-21 November 2012, Munich - European Nanoelectronics Forum 2012Aeronautics and Air Transport (Clean Sky)29 February 2012, Madrid - Clean Sky Info Day - presentation of 2012 work programme
Más información
13 March 2012, Amsterdam - Clean Sky Symposium
11-16 September 2012, Berlin - ILA BerlinFuel Cells and Hydrogen (FCH)9 February 2012, Brussels - FCH public information session and Brokerage event
Más información
24 April 2012, Paris - Workshop of the International Energy Agency on On-site H2 supply
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Innovation policy
2009-03-18 - European inventor 2009: Solutions to global challenges nominated
Breakthrough inventions such as the commercial use of solar energy, powerful long-life batteries for hybrid cars, a successful malaria drug, and the "fastskin" swimsuit inspired by shark skin are among the nominations for the Inventor of the Year 2009 award. The European Patent Office (EPO) and the European Commission today announced the twelve nominees for this year's European Inventor of the Year awards. Their inventions aim at addressing many of today's toughest challenges in the areas of energy, environment and health. The winners in the four categories of industry, Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs)/research, non-European countries and lifetime achievement will be announced in Prague on 28 April 2009.
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Regional policy
2009-03-02 - Danuta Hübner sees innovation as a cure for the crisis during her visit to Poitou-Charentes (France)
Danuta Hübner, European Commissioner for regional policy, will pay a visit to the Poitou-Charentes region on 2 March. The Commissioner will discuss innovation with other regional players involved in the implementation of the cohesion policy. She will also take the opportunity to visit several EU-supported projects based on the site of the Futuroscope, a symbol of a region that has also shown great potential in research and development.
Más información2009-03-03 - Better high-speed internet access needed to revitalise Europe's rural regions, says Commission
Connecting the 30% of the EU's rural population that has no high speed internet access should be a priority for achieving 'broadband for all' by 2010, the Commission said today. Improved internet connectivity is a powerful tool to stimulate swift economic recovery. The Commission today outlines how it would use its own support programmes to boost internet networks and services in rural areas, and called on EU Member States to do the same. Good internet access can make farms and companies in rural areas, especially small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), less isolated and more competitive through access to international markets and faster and more efficient ways of doing business. Meanwhile, the European Parliament and the Council are discussing a Commission proposal to make a further € 1 billion available through the European Economic Recovery Plan to spread high speed internet access more widely across all regions of Europe.
Más información2009-03-05 - European Summit of Regions and Cities: Danuta Hübner delivers first results of public response to Territorial Cohesion Green Paper
Danuta Hübner, Commissioner for Regional Policy, will address the European Summit of Regions and Cities in Prague on 6 March. The event, which gathers more than 500 presidents of European regions and city mayors, will focus on the regional response to the economic and financial crisis and the importance of territorial cohesion in addressing the major challenges faced by Europe. Commissioner Hübner will present the initial findings of the public consultation on the Commission's 'Green Paper on Territorial Cohesion', which highlights the need to mobilise the strengths of all the EU's regions and cities in order to increase the Union's overall competitiveness.
Más información2009-03-09 - Cohesion Policy backs "green economy" for growth and long-term jobs in Europe
Danuta Hübner, European Commissioner for Regional Policy, announced today that €105 billion will be invested in the "green economy" through the EU Cohesion Policy. The funding, which represents more than 30% of the regional policy budget for 2007-2013, offers a solid platform for job creation and a significant boost for regions and cities in their quest to maintain Europe's global leadership in the field of green technologies.
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Information society
2009-03-03 - Five major high-tech firms pledge to promote more "Cyberellas"
In today's global financial crisis, jobs in information and communication technologies (ICT) sectors like telecoms and the internet are reliable sources of growth and crucial for the recovery of the economy. However, the EU's competitiveness depends on attracting and keeping skilled workers, especially in the high-tech sector, including women. But while a shortage of around 300,000 qualified engineers is expected in the EU by 2010, less than 1 in 5 computer scientists are women. The European Commission responded in 2007 by encouraging telecoms and internet companies to attract more "cyberellas" – women with ICT skills. As a result, five major ICT companies will today sign a Code of Best Practices for Women and ICT. They are committing to do more to make tech jobs attractive for women and to make better use of and promote female potential in the ICT sector.
Más información2009-03-12 - Commission pushes ICT use for a greener Europe
As part of its effort to combat climate change and drive economic recovery, the European Commission today called on Member States and industry to use information and communications technologies (ICT) to improve energy efficiency. These technologies are expected to reduce total carbon emissions in Europe by up to 15% by 2020. ICT can not only improve monitoring and management of energy use in factories, offices and in public spaces but above all help make people more aware of how they use energy. With smart metering in their homes, for example, consumers have been found to reduce their energy consumption by as much as 10%.
Más información2009-03-13 - Commission calls for doubling funding for ICT research and innovation
Making Europe the world leader in ICT is the goal of the new strategy proposed today by the European Commission. Today Europe represents 34% of the global information and communication technologies (ICT) market, and its value is growing by 4% per year. However, the value added produced by the EU's ICT sector amounts to only 23% of the total, because both Europe's market and research efforts are fragmented. As a result, Europe is lagging behind its global competitors in ICT research and in the production of innovative ICT-based products and services. The strategy proposed calls on Member States and industry to pool resources and work together more in ICT research and innovation. The strategy also proposes showcase ICT innovation projects to deliver modern services infrastructures in areas like healthcare and energy efficiency.
Más información2009-03-16 - Europe must raise its game to become world leader in ICTs, Commission says
If Europe is to become a world leader in information and communications technologies (ICTs), it must double its research investments, attract more skilled workers and remove barriers to business growth, according to a new European Commission communication; the strategy described also aims to ensure that the economy and society benefit fully from these new technologies.
Más información2009-03-23 - EU Telecoms Commissioner calls for consumer right to change phone operator in 1 day
In a video message posted this morning on her website, Viviane Reding, the EU's Telecoms Commissioner, calls on the European Parliament and the Council of EU Telecoms Ministers to be ambitious in the coming days as they enter the final negotiations on a new set of EU rules strengthening competition and consumer rights in a single market for telecoms like mobile phone services and internet connections. While consumers in all 27 Member States currently have the right to change their (fixed and mobile) phone operator while keeping their number, at the moment not everyone can expect it to happen in one day, and some face a wait of two to three weeks, reducing the impact of this important right on competition and consumer choice. On average across the EU, it takes 8.5 days for a mobile number and 7.5 days for a fixed number to be ported.
Más información2009-03-25 - Mobile use up, consumer prices down: Europe's telecoms sector weathering economic downturn, says Commission report
Europe leads the world in mobile phone services with the number of subscriptions in 2008 at 119% of the EU population (up 7 percentage points from 2007), well ahead of the US (87%) and Japan (84%). This is a finding of today's Commission progress report on the single telecoms market. Despite the economic crisis, the EU's telecoms sector (worth about 3% of EU GDP) continued to grow in 2008 with revenues estimated at above €300 billion, up 1.3% compared to 2007 and outperforming the rest of the economy (up by 1% only). Consumers gain the most from the sector's competitiveness: they pay less while getting better value for money. Average mobile phone bills have fallen from €21.48 to €19.49 in 2008 and 75% of European consumers now have internet connections of 2 megabits per second and above (speeds allowing, for example, TV over internet), thanks to EU action. However, the Commission's report also warns that without better European coordination, the benefits of a single telecoms market could be jeopardised by inconsistent national regulation.
Más información2009-03-25 - Faster and cheaper broadband: Commission study shows significant fall in prices in 2008 in Europe
European consumers paid less for their fixed broadband internet access (DSL, cable modem, fibre) in 2008 than a year ago according to a study released today by the European Commission. However, there are significant differences between Member States in broadband retail prices and cost structure for similar products. EU rules should be consistently applied in a telecoms single market for all businesses and consumers equally.
Más información2009-03-30 - Commission acts to protect Europe from cyber-attacks and disruptions
Electronic communication services and networks provide the backbone of European economy. 93% of EU companies and 51% of Europeans actively used the internet in 2007. However natural disasters, terrorist attacks, malicious human action and hardware failure can pose serious risks to Europe's critical information infrastructures. Recent large scale attacks on Estonia, Lithuania and Georgia proved that essential electronic communication services and networks are under constant threat. Preparing Europe to act in case of major disruptions or attacks is the goal of a new strategy proposed today by the European Commission.
Más información2009-03-30 - EU Commissioner calls on ICT industry to reduce its carbon footprint by 20% as early as 2015
In a video posted on her website this morning, Viviane Reding, the European Union's Commissioner for Information Society and Media, asked the information and communication technologies (ICT) industry for intensified efforts for tackling climate change. She warned that the measures in place so far to meet the EU's objective of cutting energy use by 20% by 2020 will only improve energy efficiency by 13 percent". Therefore, better use should be made of information and communication technologies (ICT) to reduce faster the carbon footprint of households in Europe.
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Enterprises
2009-03-26 - Commissioners keen to help small businesses to grasp trade opportunities
In the current financial downturn European small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) need to be able to do business abroad and benefit from the opportunities that trade offers to them. There are more than 23 million SMEs, representing 99% of EU companies, but only 3% of them export outside the EU. How can this be changed and what can the Commission do to support SMEs wanting to do business abroad? How can existing tools be improved and which new initiatives should be launched? More than 150 representatives of SME organisations, the European Parliament, the Member States, and other SME stakeholders will debate this issue today at a High Level Stakeholder Conference organised by Vice-President Günter Verheugen and Commissioner Catherine Ashton.
Más información2009-03-26 - A special web portal to make cross border business easier in the EU
The new ‘Your Europe - Business’ portal gives entrepreneurs easy access to information on doing business in other EU Member States. It has been established in close cooperation with Member States and is part of the implementation of the Small Business Act. Re-launched by European Commission Vice-President Günter Verheugen at the European Business Summit today, the site helps SMEs to take advantage of opportunities to trade and offer their services in the Single Market. ‘Your Europe - Business’ answers questions such as:
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* How to register a company in the Netherlands?
* What permits are needed to sell products now also in Italy?
* Or what does an entrepreneur need to know about taxes in Poland or labour law in Germany?
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Other EU Policies and funding programmes supporting the Lisbon Strategy
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Environment
2009-03-02 - Environment: Commission and retail sector launch Retail Forum to promote more sustainable consumption
The European Commission and the European retail sector will tomorrow launch a Retail Forum as part of their drive to promote more environmentally sustainable consumption patterns. The Forum will be launched by Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas, Consumer Commissioner Meglena Kuneva, EuroCommerce President, Senator Feargal Quinn and Pierre-Olivier Beckers, President and CEO of the Delhaize Group, representing the European Retail Round Table (ERRT). The event in Brussels will also involve producers, consumers and environment groups. The creation of the Retail Forum represents a significant contribution in the implementation of the EU Action Plan on sustainable consumption and production and sustainable industrial policy presented by the Commission in July 2008. The Forum aims to reduce the environmental impact of the retail sector and its supply chain, promote more sustainable products and better inform consumers about 'green' purchasing opportunities.
Más información2009-03-05 - Climate change: Commission dishes the dirt on the importance of soil
A new report made public by the Commission underlines the crucial role that soils can play in mitigating climate change. Soils contain around twice the amount of carbon in the atmosphere and three times the amount to be found in vegetation. Europe's soils are an enormous carbon reservoir, containing around 75 billion tonnes, and poor management can have serious consequences: a failure to protect Europe's remaining peat bogs, for example, would release the same amount of carbon as an additional 40 million cars on Europe's roads. The report, a synthesis of the best available information on the links between soil and climate change, underlines the need to sequester carbon in soils. The technique is cost competitive and immediately available, requires no new or unproven technologies, and has a mitigation potential comparable to that of any other sector of the economy. In line with the Thematic Strategy for soil protection, the current trend of soil degradation needs to be reversed, and soil management practices must be improved if a high rate of soil carbon sequestration is to be achieved.
Más información2009-03-12 - Commission completes pesticide review programme – an important step to ensure the protection of health and environment
The European Commission made today an important step forward in its efforts to ensure improved protection of human health and the environment, as it completed the review of existing pesticides that were on the market before 1993. This programme concerned about 1,000 substances, of which about 250 have passed the harmonised EU safety assessment. All reviewed pesticides have undergone a detailed risk evaluation with respect to their effects on humans and on the environment. This important achievement is the result of a considerable joint effort by the Commission, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the Member States.
Más información2009-03-13 - Environment: Official launch of EU guide to the sustainable hunting of wild birds
On Monday the European Commission will officially launch a guide on the hunting of wild birds to ensure the activity is carried out in accordance with EU nature legislation. It aims to clarify the hunting requirements of the EU's oldest nature law, the Wild Birds Directive, which celebrates its 30th anniversary on the 2nd of April 2009. This is one of the key tools in helping achieve the EU's objective of halting biodiversity loss. The guide on sustainable hunting be launched at an official ceremony in Paris by the French Environment Minister Jean-Louis Borloo and the Director-General of the Commission's Directorate-General for Environment, Karl Falkenberg.
Más información2009-03-23 - Majority of Europeans believe quality and quantity of water is a serious problem
Almost two out of three of Europeans consider that the quality of water in their country is a serious problem, according to a special Eurobarometer survey on Europeans' opinion on water issues published by the European Commission this week-end. The report also shows that Europeans see the quantity of available water as an equally serious problem. More than a third of Europeans feel that over the last five years the quality of rivers, lakes and coastal waters has deteriorated. Industry and agriculture are seen as having the biggest impact on the quality and quantity of water in their country and an overwhelming majority of Europeans think climate change will have an impact on water resources.
Más información2009-03-25 - Commission welcomes agreement in Parliament on ozone layer
The Commission welcomes the vote today by the European Parliament that confirms the first reading agreement reached between Parliament and Council on reinforcing ozone legislation. The agreement comes less than a year after the Commission's proposal was presented. In addition to updating current legislation on the protection of the ozone layer in light of scientific developments, the new regulation reinforces measures on the illegal trade and remaining uses of ozone depleting substances, including hydrochlorofluorocarbons. It also confirms the ban on the use of methyl bromide from early 2010 and bolsters measures on the management of banned substances in older products.
Más información2009-03-27 - Climate change: Commissioner Dimas calls for tangible progress towards global deal in next U.N. negotiations
European Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas today called for United Nations negotiations starting this Sunday (29 March) to make tangible progress towards an ambitious new global agreement to combat climate change. The meeting, taking place in Bonn, Germany until 8 April, marks the first round of negotiations since last December’s U.N. climate conference in Poznan, Poland, which agreed to move the process into 'full negotiation mode.' The new global agreement, which would take effect in 2013, is due to be concluded at the Copenhagen U.N. climate conference in December.
Más información2009-03-30 - Report calls for better integration of climate issues in key policy areas
Policies designed specifically to tackle climate change will only be effective if climate issues are fully integrated into other policy areas, such as taxation and land use planning, according to a new report. Entitled 'Climate policy integration, coherence and governance', the report was written by the Partnership for European Environmental Research (PEER), which groups together seven leading European environmental research institutes.
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Health
2009-03-03 - European Rare Diseases Day: listen to the voice of 12,000 patients
To mark the European Rare Disease Day 2009, Commissioner for Health, Androulla Vassiliou hosted the launch of an important and remarkable book – “The Voice of 12,000 Patients” – in Brussels, today. This book, produced by the European Organisation for Rare Diseases (EURORDIS) and co-funded by the European Commission, provides a unique insight into patients' perspectives in rare disease diagnosis, treatment, and care. The book concludes that action is needed to improve and accelerate the time it takes for the diagnosis of rare diseases. It also illustrates the expectations and experiences of rare disease patients in access to care with 26% of patients reporting difficulty in access to services. The Commission supports several projects in rare diseases under the Public Health Programme and research programmes.
Más información2009-03-05 - Commission adopts new rules for the introduction of personal consignments of animal products into the EU
The European Commission adopted today a Regulation on the introduction into the EU of animal products by travellers. The Regulation will enter into force on 1 May 2009 and replace the rules that are currently in place. This new legislation intends to clearly explain to the general public the rules concerning the introduction of animal products into the European Union. Indeed, animal products brought into the EU by travellers or sent through the post, could pose a risk to the health of EU livestock by carrying with them certain animal diseases such as foot and mouth disease or other diseases that may also affect humans. The general public therefore plays an important role in keeping such diseases out of the EU.
Más información2009-03-27 - Fight against cancer: contribution of EU-funded research
This week-end (28 – 29 March) the European Commission participates in the event "Relais pour la Vie", organised by the Luxembourgish Foundation against Cancer, in Luxembourg. "Relais pour la vie" is a race that aims to show solidarity with those affected by cancer and also to inform about the disease. Last year, 313 teams participated.
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Transport
2009-03-13 - Greening buses and trucks! Commission's research centre opens new CO2 emissions testing laboratory
Today European Commissioner for Science and Research, Janez Potocnik, opens a new facility for testing fuel consumption and emissions of trucks and buses. The new installation, "VELA 7" at the Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) in Ispra (Northern Italy), realistically simulates wind drag, tyre/road friction and full drive cycles for real-life articulated lorries of up to 40 tonnes or 12m long buses. It comes at a crucial time since implementation guidelines for new emission standards, notably the Euro VI regarding heavy duty vehicles, must be defined by 1st April 2010.
Más información2009-03-25 - The Commission welcomes today's decision of the European Parliament to support the Single European Sky package
The European Parliament approved today the second legislative package for the Single European Sky (SES II). The texts approved by the Parliament are the result of very fruitful discussions with the Czech Presidency. The Council should formalise the final adoption of the legislative package very soon. These measures will deliver safer, greener and more performing flights, with annual savings for airlines calculated around four billion euros by 2020.
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Agriculture and fisheries
2009-03-18 - CAP simplification: Commission well on the way to meeting target to reduce admin burden in agriculture by 25 percent by 2012
Thanks to considerable progress already made in simplifying the Common Agricultural Policy and other measures still to be carried out, the Commission is confident that it will meet its objective of reducing the administrative burden arising from the CAP by 25 percent by 2012. This view is supported by the recently adopted opinion on agriculture of the Stoiber group. A new report highlights a number of measures taken over the past three and a half years which reduce red tape for farmers, companies involved in the food business and administrations, and promise to reduce annual costs by hundreds of millions of euros , which will render European farming more competitive.
Más información2009-03-19 - Commission to recover € 126.7 million of CAP expenditure from the Member States
A total of € 126.7 million of EU farm money unduly spent by Member States is claimed back as a result of a decision adopted today by the European Commission. The money returns to the Community budget because of non-compliance with EU rules or inadequate control procedures on agricultural expenditure. Member States are responsible for paying out and checking expenditure under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), and the Commission is required to ensure that Member States have made correct use of the funds.
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Energy
2009-03-11 - Energy savings: Member States support rules to reduce the energy use of industrial motors
EU Member States showed their support for new rules to reduce the electricity consumption of industrial motors - which will save the equivalent of Sweden's electricity consumption each year - during today's Ecodesign Regulatory Committee meeting. The Regulation is expected to create 40,000 new jobs and make electricity savings of €9 billion by 2020.
Más información2009-03-18 - Commissioner Piebalgs welcomes the commitment of European Electricity Companies to achieve a carbon-neutral power supply by 2050
Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs has welcomed the commitment announced today by European Electricity companies to achieve a carbon-neutral power supply by 2050. The commitment was part of a Declaration delivered to Commissioner Piebalgs by 61 CEOs of European electricity companies in a Eurelectric meeting that took place in Brussels this afternoon.
Más información2009-03-18 - Commission adopts two regulations to progressively remove from the market non-efficient light bulbs
The Commission adopted today two ecodesign regulations to improve the energy efficiency of household lamps and of office, street and industrial lighting products. The two regulations lay down energy efficiency requirements which will save close to 80 TWh by 2020 (roughly the electricity consumption of Belgium, or of 23 million European households, or the equivalent of the yearly output of 20 power stations of 500 megawatts) and will lead to a reduction of about 32 million tons of CO2 emission per year. Inefficient incandescent light bulbs will be progressively replaced by improved alternatives starting in 2009 and finishing at the end of 2012. As a result of these regulations, 11 billion euros are expected to be saved and re-injected every year into the European economy.
Más información2009-03-23 - EU and Japan agree to work more closely together in energy research
The European Commission and Japan are going to deepen their collaboration in energy research. The prime areas for cooperation are photovoltaics, power storage and carbon capture and storage (CCS). Following the experience of the new European Public-Private Partnership on fuel cells and hydrogen, both sides agreed that in the future fuel cells and hydrogen should form a further area of cooperation with an industry expert workshop to be organised jointly.
Más información2009-03-27 - Energy savings: Member States support rules to reduce the energy use of circulators
EU Member States expressed their support for a Commission proposal to reduce the electricity consumption of circulators - which will save the equivalent of Ireland's yearly electricity consumption - during today's Ecodesign Regulatory Committee meeting. The Regulation is expected to create 7,000 jobs and make electricity savings of €2.2 billion by 2020.
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Maritime Affairs
2009-03-17 - Fisheries: New Commission step towards sustainability of northern hake
The European Commission today adopted a long-term plan to improve further the state of the northern hake stock in EU waters. This plan will replace the recovery plan which has been in place since 2004, and which has successfully helped the northern hake stock recover from almost collapse to the safe target size advised by scientists. The new plan wants to carry this positive trend forward through an approach that will secure the long-term sustainability of the northern hake stock. The concrete benefits of the plan will be higher catches, lower costs, less impact on the marine environment and lower discards of juvenile hake. It will notably benefit the long-term profitability for the fishing sector targeting this stock.
Más información2009-03-30 - Maritime safety: towards better prevention of maritime accidents
On 11 March 2009 the European Parliament finally approved the third package of measures for maritime safety after the agreement reached in conciliation last December and approval by the Council.
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Maritime Affairs
2009-03-17 - Fisheries: New Commission step towards sustainability of northern hake
The European Commission today adopted a long-term plan to improve further the state of the northern hake stock in EU waters. This plan will replace the recovery plan which has been in place since 2004, and which has successfully helped the northern hake stock recover from almost collapse to the safe target size advised by scientists. The new plan wants to carry this positive trend forward through an approach that will secure the long-term sustainability of the northern hake stock. The concrete benefits of the plan will be higher catches, lower costs, less impact on the marine environment and lower discards of juvenile hake. It will notably benefit the long-term profitability for the fishing sector targeting this stock.
Más información2009-03-30 - Maritime safety: towards better prevention of maritime accidents
On 11 March 2009 the European Parliament finally approved the third package of measures for maritime safety after the agreement reached in conciliation last December and approval by the Council.
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Research, Innovation, Training and Competitiveness related EU events
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List of opened calls for proposals launched by the European Commission
To consult our updated table of calls, click on our dedicated webpage below
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Special chapter on training opportunities
Next Sessions in English in Brussels
How to write a successful proposal under FP7? -Webinar
Date : Monday 13 Feb 2012
A step-by-step methodology towards success.
Training being held by former EC Officers having hands on experience in EU R&D projects.
Venue : Online Course - training language : English
Price : 390€ VAT excl
How to write a successful proposal under FP7 ?
Date : Wednesday 22 Feb 2012
A step-by-step methodology towards success.
Training being held by former EC Officers having hands on experience in EU R&D projects.
Venue : Brussels - training language : English
Price : 590€ VAT excl
Financial aspects of FP7contracts
Date : Thursday 23 Feb 2012
Understand the financial rules of the game.
Training being held by former EC Officers having hands on experience in EU R&D projects.
Venue : Brussels - training language : English
Price : 590€ VAT excl
Financial aspects of FP7contracts-Webinar
Date : Monday 19 Mar 2012
Understand your rights and obligations for a smooth management of your European contract.
Training being held by former EC Officers having hands on experience in EU R&D projects.
Venue : Online Course - training language : English
Price : 390€ VAT excl
Prochaines sessions en français à Paris et Bruxelles
Le montage des projets européens du 7ème PCRD
Date : mercredi 15 févr. 2012
Comment rédiger une proposition réellement compétitive? Conseils stratégiques et méthodologiques.
Formations dispensées par d’anciens "Project Officers" de la Commission européenne ayant une expérience pratique des projets européens de R&D.
Lieu : Paris - Langue de formation : Français
Prix : 590€ HTVA
Les contrats européens de recherche : module financier
Date : jeudi 16 févr. 2012
Session d'approfondissement - Comprendre les règles financières sous le 7ème Programme-Cadre de Recherche et Développement. Comment préparer votre budget? Comment gérer votre budget?
Formations dispensées par d’anciens "Project Officers" de la Commission européenne ayant une expérience pratique des projets européens de R&D.
Lieu : Paris - Langue de formation : Français
Prix : 590€ HTVA
Négociation contractuelle et accord de consortium (7ème PCRD)
Date : mardi 06 mars 2012
Comment se préparer et négocier le contrat avec la
CE et l’accord de consortium ?
Formations dispensées par d’anciens "Project
Officers" de la Commission européenne ayant une
expérience pratique des projets européens de
R&D.
Lieu : Paris - Langue de formation : Français
Prix : 590€ HTVA
Le management de projets européens de recherche
Date : mercredi 07 mars 2012
Management de projets européens de recherche. Comment gérer efficacement et simplement un projet européen de recherche sous le 7ème PCRD ?
Formations dispensées par d’anciens "Project Officers" de la Commission européenne ayant une expérience pratique des projets européens de R&D.
Lieu : Paris - Langue de formation : Français
Prix : 590€ HTVA
Audits et contrôles de votre contrat européen de recherche
Date : jeudi 08 mars 2012
Les audits et contrôles de votre contrat européen
de recherche.
Comment s’y préparer et comment y réagir?
Formations dispensées par d’anciens "Project Officers" de la Commission européenne ayant une expérience pratique des projets européens de R&D.
Lieu : Paris - Langue de formation : Français
Prix : 590€ HTVA