Brussels News Updates

1 European Highlights, BNU Feb 2021, Brussels News Updates

EIC Innovation Launchpad call: €3.5 million awarded to 35 projects

On 5 February, the European Innovation Council (EIC) announced that 35 projects from 10 European countries were selected in its last Innovation Launchpad call. In total, 118 proposals were submitted for this Innovation Launchpad call.

The selected projects include innovations in various sectors, such as railways, artificial intelligence, energy, and much more. The list of the awarded projects is available here.

The aim of EIC Innovation Launchpad call is to bring innovations closer to the market. Each project received a budget of  €100.000 euros.

Read more about it here.

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 1 European Highlights, BNU Feb 2021, Brussels News Updates

Delays to ERC 2021 Work programme and first calls

With the transition from ‘Horizon 2020’ to ‘Horizon Europe’, the new seven-year framework programme for Research and Innovation, the European Research Council (ERC) postponed the publication of the first ‘Horizon Europe’ calls, until the programme is adopted by the European Commission.

The ERC will inform the scientific community as soon as possible about the pending grant competitions. In the meantime, applicants are encouraged to prepare their proposals.

Read more about it here.

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 1 European Highlights, BNU Feb 2021, Brussels News Updates

New ERA Forum for Transition

On 4 February 2021, the European Commission launched the new European Research Area (ERA) Forum for Transition. It is composed of EU Member States’ representatives, and it also includes one representative from each EEA/EFTA country.

The main goal of the ERA Forum for Transition is to provide recommendations to the Directorate-General Research and Innovation (DG-RTD) on the governance structure of the ERA, and on the development of the first ERA policy agenda.

In a press release, the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) demanded that EU cities and regions become more involved in the new ERA Forum for Transition, and in the ERA in general.

‘The Committee therefore advocates taking a cross-cutting approach closely linked to regional policies, involving a wide range of stakeholders – academia, industry, the public sector at various levels, the general public and civil society – and also highlights the need to fully recognise the role of smart specialisations and their collective and entrepreneurial process as one of the cornerstones of European research and innovation performance.’

Press release – The European Research Area: Towards full recognition of Regional Innovation Hubs,
European Committee of the Regions (CoR),
4 February 2021

Read more about the new ERA Forum for Transition here.

About ERA:
The European Research Area (ERA) is a system of scientific research programmes across Europe. It enables free circulation of researchers, science, and technology by integrating the scientific resources of the European Union. The original ERA plan was launched in 2000, and a process to revitalise it began in 2018.

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 1 European Highlights, BNU Feb 2021, Brussels News Updates

The launch of ‘Horizon Europe’ strengthens EU R&I goals

On 2 February 2021, the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union and the European Commission hosted the launch event of ‘Horizon Europe’, the European Union’s most ambitious Research and Innovation framework programme for the 2021-2027 period.

The opening remarks were given by Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, Cristian-Silviu Buşoi, Chair of the ITRE Committee, European Parliament, and Manuel Heitor, Minister for Science and Technology and Higher Education in Portugal.

During this online event, the European Commission reaffirmed the important role of ‘Horizon Europe’ for Research and Innovation:  the next seven-year framework programme will focus on societal challenges, including public health, population aging, security and defence, as well as pollution and climate change. Furthermore, the programme will continue to strongly support frontier research in every EU region. As a reminder, the total and final budget for Horizon Europe is €95.5 billion, making it the most powerful research and innovation programme in the world (read our article Budget breakdown of Horizon Europe in the BNU December 2020 issue).

You can watch the launch of ‘Horizon Europe’ here.
Read the Portuguese Presidency of the EU Council’s announcement here.

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 1 European Highlights, BNU Feb 2021, Brussels News Updates

2020: a year to remember or a year to forget?

The 2020 Yearbook is a form of a EuChemS annual report which looks back at the activities and achievements carried out by the European Chemical Society and its community over the year. It also offers an insightful overview of EuChemS Professional Networks and their work. Divided between chapters, the Yearbook explores the 2020 initiatives and actions in policy areas, meetings, events and webinars, as well as awards and the activities related to the 50th anniversary celebration of the European Chemical Society.

We invite you to read and download the EuChemS Yearbook 2020 here.

 

 

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 1 European Highlights, BNU Feb 2021, Brussels News Updates

First EuChemS @Global Women’s Breakfast 2021

On the occasion of the Global Women’s Breakfast 2021 #GWB2021, an IUPAC initiative, the European Chemical Society (EuChemS) organised its first own event on Tuesday, 9 February 2021, from 10:00 to 11:00 CET.

Pilar Goya, EuChemS Vice-President, hosted and chaired a panel with an impressive line-up of speakers from the European Chemistry community who engaged with more than 150 attendees on various inclusion-related topics, including work-life balance, building professional networks and STEM education for school-age kids. The attendees were invited to ask questions and answer polls. Their feedback will be carefully considered by the EuChemS Task Group on Inclusion and Diversity, for follow up actions.

Also, the LinkedIn group “European Chemistry Network on Inclusion and Diversity” was launched to promote inclusion, equity, and diversity in the chemical sciences. This LinkedIn group aims at connecting chemists across Europe through a European-wide network and focuses on science opportunities, discussions, news, events and jobs within the chemistry sector. We hope this group will inspire people to post, discuss, and exchange experiences, which will hopefully get the ball rolling for further actions and projects in this respect.

“EuChemS, the European Chemical Society, representing over 150.000 chemists, will continue to promote inclusion and diversity in the chemical sciences and will strive to eradicate any form of discrimination.”

– Pilar Goya, EuChemS Vice-President,
Opening speech of the EuChemS @Global Women’s Breakfast
9 February 2021

We invite you to watch the recording of this online event here, where you can also subscribe to the EuChemS YouTube channel.

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4 Calls for Funding and Awards, BNU January 2021, Brussels News Updates

EFMC Prizes 2021: Call for Nominations

  • EFMC Prize for a Young Medicinal Chemist or Chemical Biologist in Industry
  • EFMC Prize for a Young Medicinal Chemist or Chemical Biologist in Academia
  • EFMC-YSN PhD Prize

Deadlines:
You can submit nominations for the 3 prizes until 31 January 2021.
Uploading the necessary documents will be possible until 3 February 2021

Website: https://bit.ly/3izvWcF

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4 Calls for Funding and Awards, BNU January 2021, Brussels News Updates

European Sustainable Chemistry Award (ESCA)

EuChemS recognises the achievements of individual scientists and teams through the European Sustainable Chemistry Award (ESCA). The European Sustainable Chemistry Award is intended to be a prestigious scheme which will raise the profile of sustainable chemistry and be a spur to innovation and competitiveness.

Deadline: 1 February 2021

Submit your nomination HERE.

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3 Consultations and Roadmaps, BNU January 2021, Brussels News Updates

European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) public consultations

A number of consultations put forward by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) are currently open.

EuChemS is an official accredited stakeholder of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

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3 Consultations and Roadmaps, BNU January 2021, Brussels News Updates

European Commission Public Consultations and Roadmaps

A number of consultations and roadmaps put forward by the European Commission are currently open:

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 1 European Highlights, BNU January 2021, Brussels News Updates

New rule on transparency of the EU risk assessment in the food chain

On 21 March 2021, the new regulation on the transparency of risk assessment in the food chain will become applicable. This regulation aims at ensuring more transparency of the EU risk assessment in the food chain, increasing the independence of studies used by European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), strengthening the governance and the scientific cooperation of EFSA to guarantee its long-term sustainability, and developing comprehensive risk communication.

This new regulation was developed in response to a European Citizens’ Initiative on pesticides. On 10 May 2017, the European Chemical Society (EuChemS) co-organised the workshop Glyphosate: Harmless Tool or Sneaky Poison? at the European Parliament.

Read more about it here.

Sources:

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 1 European Highlights, BNU January 2021, Brussels News Updates

Partnership on AI between STOA and OECD’s Global Parliamentary Network

The panel for the Future of Science and Technology (STOA) and the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) are entering into a partnership on artificial intelligence (AI) with the OECD’s Global Parliamentary Network (GPN). Joining forces will enhance the dialogue and exchange of best practices across Parliaments on AI related issues. Subsequently, it will boost the outreach, relevance and value of both organisations to parliamentarians, policymakers and citizens worldwide.

In 2020, the STOA panel launched its Centre for AI (C4AI) to intensify its actions in the field of AI. The purpose of C4AI is to provide expertise to policymakers and to enhance the debate on AI through various activities (e.g., producing studies, organising events, etc.).

Read more about it in the STOA announcement.

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 1 European Highlights, BNU January 2021, Brussels News Updates

European Innovation Council Fund for start-ups

Earlier in January, the European Commission announced in a press release the first round of direct equity investment through the new European Innovation Council (EIC) Fund. EIC acquires a financing of around €178 million to invest in 42 start-ups and SMEs.

The EIC Fund was established in June 2020, and it aims to make direct equity investments (between €500.000 and €15 million each) in the capital of start-ups and SMEs in Europe. This Fund will help start-up companies to scale-up and translate their innovative scientific projects into commercial success.

Read the press release here.

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 1 European Highlights, BNU January 2021, Brussels News Updates

Portugal takes over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union

On 1 January 2021, Portugal has officially taken over the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union from Germany, 35 years after its accession to the European Union. This is the fourth time that Portugal chairs the Council of the European Union. Portugal is part of the Trio Presidency during the period from 1 July 2020 to 31 December 2021, with Germany and Slovenia.

Given the current global pandemic situation, Portugal is committed to promoting a resilient, social, green, digital and global Europe. ‘Time to deliver: a fair, green and digital recovery’ is Portugal’s motto for its 6-month Presidency, which is in line with its three major work priorities:

  • To promote Europe’s recovery, leveraged by the climate and digital transitions.
  • To implement the Social Pillar of the European Union as a key element for ensuring a fair and inclusive climate and digital transition.
  • To strengthen Europe’s strategic autonomy keeping it open to the world.

Research and Innovation is at the forefront of the Portuguese Presidency’s programme and emphasis will be given to encouraging the coordination of efforts and synergies between European scientific communities. To this end, the Portuguese Presidency re-expressed its target to reach 3% GDP investment by 2030 (2/3 private sector, 1/3 public sector). Furthermore, they will work on the professionalisation   of   research   careers   and   include   them   in   the   European   Quality   Assurance Reference Framework, in order to improve working conditions and salaries and reduce precarious    employment.

In accordance with the Trio Presidency, Portugal will support the renewing of the European Research Area (ERA): the Portuguese Presidency will host a debate on the 20th anniversary of the ERA.

Scheduled for 2 February 2021, the official launch event of the Horizon Europe programme will take place in Lisbon, Portugal. The Portuguese Presidency announced that visibility will be given to this event as well as on the finalisation of the regulations necessary for the creation of the European   partnerships and the launch of the of the missions.

‘We aim to contribute to wider and more diverse access to science and research, enabling citizens to acquire skills. We will encourage citizens’ involvement in setting scientific agendas and support European initiatives in the field of ‘citizen science’.’

– Programme for Portugal’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union,
Competitiveness, Research and Innovation, p.20.

You can read the programme for the Portuguese Presidency of the Council of the European Union here. The Programme was adopted by the Council of Ministers on 17 December 2020.

Portugal’s Presidency will last until 30 June 2021.

For more information, you can visit the German Presidency of the Council of the European Union website.

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 1 European Highlights, BNU January 2021, Brussels News Updates

EuChemS Executive Board: 2021 changes

The year 2021 starts with some changes at the EuChemS Executive Board.

On 1 January, Professor Floris Rutjes started his mandate as the EuChemS President. He succeeds Professor Pilar Goya, who will continue to serve at the Executive Board as the Vice-President.

The EuChemS Executive Board also welcomes three newcomers: Professor Renáta Oriňaková, Professor Slavica Ražić and Professor Péter Szalay.

EuChemS continues to look forward to very many upcoming activities in and for Chemistry in Europe kicked off by the renewed Executive Board and reiterates its thanks to the former Executive Board members whose mandates ended on 31 December 2020: Dr Nausicaa Orlandi, Professor Francisco Javier Pérez Trujillo, Professor Marco Arlorio and Professor Anna Trzeciak.

Discover more about the role of the EuChemS Executive Board and its members here.

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 1 European Highlights, BNU January 2021, Brussels News Updates

EuChemS 1st @Global Women’s Breakfast 2021

The European Chemical Society cordially invites you all to join our 1st Global Women’s Breakfast on Tuesday 9 February 2021, 10:00 CET, on Zoom.

During this online event, panellists from the European Chemistry community will discuss diversity empowerment in the chemical sciences. Focus will be given to leadership development, building professional networks and STEM education for school-age girls.

Pilar Goya, EuChemS Vice-President, will be hosting and chairing the breakfast.

This online event is FREE to attend ➡️ REGISTER HERE

More information about EuChemS @Global Women’s Breakfast 2021 is available here.

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