BNU Aug 2019

4 Calls for Funding and Awards, BNU Aug 2019, Brussels News Updates

European Chemistry Gold Medal

Every two years, the exceptional achievements of one scientist working in the field of chemistry in Europe are rewarded. The winner is awarded a gold medal and the opportunity to give the opening lecture at the next EuChemS Chemistry Congress (ECC). The deadline for nominations is soon approaching! You have until 30 September 2019 to submit.

Deadline: 30 September 2019
Website: https://www.euchems.eu/awards/european-chemistry-gold-medal/

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3 Consultations and Roadmaps, BNU Aug 2019, Brussels News Updates

Horizon Europe: Take part in co-designing the next EU research framework programme

Are you a scientist or interested citizen?  Take part in the 20-minute survey to shape EU science! EuChemS will in turn also prepare an official response, to which you can also contribute by contacting us directly.

Planning for the next EU research framework programme Horizon Europe (which will succeed Horizon 2020 as of January 2021) is ongoing, with the European Commission launching a survey inviting organisations, scientists, NGOs, industry, and citizens to take part in an exercise of co-design. The results of the survey will inform the work on the first Strategic Plan of Horizon Europe, and will be followed by an interactive conference from 24-26 September in Brussels – the EU Research and Innovation Days (places have run out, but there is a waiting list).

For more information on EuChemS’ position on Horizon Europe, read our position paper here.

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1 European Highlights, BNU Aug 2019, Brussels News Updates

Next Committee meetings of the European Parliament

The first week in September will be a week for Committee meetings of the European Parliament.

For the ITRE Committee, follow the latest news here: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/committees/en/itre/home.html.

For the ENVI Committee, see http://www.europarl.europa.eu/committees/sl/ENVI/home.html.

For European Parliament 2019 calendar indicating plenary sessions, committee meetings and other activities, visit: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sed/doc/news/lookingaheadagenda/21361/Cal2019_en.pdf

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1 European Highlights, BNU Aug 2019, Brussels News Updates

European Parliament elects the Commission President

On 16 July, Ursula von der Leyen was elected to be the next European Commission President following a series of uncertain weeks of negotiations between the various European institutions and eventually the European Parliament’s vote in favour. It is the first time a woman will hold the position of President of the European Commission. In her agenda proposal for her candidacy, von der Leyen emphasised the central role research funding would play, most notably in establishing a European Green Deal and moving closer to climate-neutrality in Europe. You can read the European Parliament press release here and download von der Leyen’s agenda of political priorities here.

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1 European Highlights, BNU Aug 2019, Brussels News Updates

European Research Council Plans for 2020

In July, the European Research Council (ERC) announced its biggest ever annual injection of funding in blue-sky research. €2.2 billion will be made available in 2020 to support some 1100 top researchers. As in previous years, most of the funding (61%) is earmarked for early- to mid-career scientists and scholars. The funding will also support jobs for an estimated 8,000 postdoctoral researchers, PhD students and other research staff employed in ERC-funded teams. More information available here and here.

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1 European Highlights, BNU Aug 2019, Brussels News Updates

Chemical Industry is on the path to define “The European Way”

The European Chemical Industry Council’s (Cefic) President Daniele Ferrari stressed at the 100th anniversary of the International Union of  Pure and Applied chemistry (IUPAC) in Paris, that the EU chemical industry needs to define “The European way”, notably the need to innovate towards circular models, leading on sustainability and being at the forefront of innovation in technologies.

Ferrari described the megatrends which will affect the world economy in the next decades. With a population set to increase by one billion by 2030, demand for manufactured goods and energy consumption will only grow. As more than 95% of all manufactured goods are touched by chemistry in some way, our sector has a leading role in responding to this growth, explained Ferrari. More information available here and here.

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1 European Highlights, BNU Aug 2019, Brussels News Updates

Horizon Europe: experts of the five major European research and innovation mission boards selected

End of July, the Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation, Carlos Moedas, announced the names of the experts who have been selected as members of the mission boards to work on five major European research and innovation missions. The missions will be part of Horizon Europe, the next EU research and innovation programme (2021-2027).

Each mission board consists of 15 experts, including the Mission Board Chair. They will identify the first possible specific missions on cancer, climate change, healthy oceans, climate-neutral cities and healthy soil and food by the end of 2019. In addition, for each mission, an assembly will be established, gathering a larger number of high-level experts. The assemblies will provide an additional pool of ideas, knowledge and expertise that will be actively called upon to contribute to the success of the five missions. Find out more here.

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