British Council online bulletin
JULY 2013
News on EU Research Policy and Programmes
Table of contents
EU Policy ........................................................................................................................................... 2
Deal reached on Horizon 2020 ....................................................................................................... 2
Call for Evidence on balance of competences between UK and EU .............................................. 2
European Court of Auditors publish report on audits in FP7 .......................................................... 3
Report on implementation of ESFRI projects ................................................................................. 3
UKRO Annual Conference 2013: presentations now available online ........................................... 3
New website developed for EIP on Smart Cities and Communities ............................................... 4
Water EIP: list of Action Groups announced .................................................................................. 4
Water JPI launches Strategic Research Agenda ........................................................................... 4
Two expert group reports on EU-funded research on public health ............................................... 5
New EU rules on clinical trials endorsed by European Parliament ................................................ 5
LERU open letter on Innovative Medicines Initiative and Horizon 2020......................................... 6
EU and Gates Foundation join forces in battle against poverty-related diseases .......................... 6
New EU transport research and innovation portal now online ....................................................... 6
COST launches open call for proposals ......................................................................................... 7
Winners of European Prize for Innovation in Public Administration ............................................... 7
EC report on international science, technology and innovation co-operation ................................ 7
Conference gives strong endorsement to Human Frontier Science Program ................................ 8
Human Frontier Science Program launches call for postdoctoral fellowships................................ 8
Winner of Best EU Nanotechnology Project prize announced ....................................................... 8
Agreement on Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance........................................................................... 9
British Council Opportunities ......................................................................................................... 9
British Council launch Researcher Links initiative .......................................................................... 9
Education, Training and Culture ................................................................................................... 10
High-level report on improving quality of teaching within EU ....................................................... 10
New guidance documents on future Erasmus Plus programme .................................................. 10
Two new calls under Youth in Action programme ........................................................................ 10
Call on implementing EU strategic objectives in education and training ...................................... 11
Events .............................................................................................................................................. 11
ISSUE: EI 07:13 – JULY 2013
1
Annual Workshop on The Output of R&D Activities: Harnessing the Power of Patents Data ...... 11
Third European Energy Conference ............................................................................................. 11
New Publications and Online Resources .................................................................................... 12
New catalogue on FP7 Ocean of Tomorrow projects 2010-2012 ................................................ 12
CORDIS ........................................................................................................................................ 12
IGLO Project Search ..................................................................................................................... 12
EUR-LEX (Official Journal C and L) ............................................................................................. 12
EUROPA ....................................................................................................................................... 12
RAPID ........................................................................................................................................... 12
EURAXESS .................................................................................................................................. 13
cubed… from the British Council .................................................................................................. 13
Talking Science............................................................................................................................. 13
GLOSSARY ..................................................................................................................................... 13
EU Policy
Deal reached on Horizon 2020
After an intense recent round of negotiations, the Council of the EU, European Parliament and the
EC have reached an agreement on the Horizon 2020 programme. Although the deal still has to be
formally voted on by the Parliament, it is expected that the new programme should be adopted in
late 2013, which means that the first Horizon 2020 calls should be launched in early 2014. The
budget allocation is understood to be around €70.2 billion, and the budget proportions for the
different parts of the programme have also been agreed on. This follows a prior agreement on the
overall EU budget for 2014 to 2020 (in the region of €960 billion), which was a precondition for the
final negotiations on Horizon 2020 to start.
Horizon 2020 will operate a simplified funding model compared to FP7, with one reimbursement
rate for all beneficiaries and a flat rate for indirect costs. This will be 100 per cent for direct costs,
and a 25 per cent flat rate for indirect costs. Part of the agreement includes specific measures on
widening participation (such as twinning of institutions and staff exchanges between different
regions in Europe). Other new elements include an 8 month “time to grant” requirement, although
with an exception for the European Research Council and for certain “complex projects”. A deal
was also agreed on the European Institute of Innovation and Technology, with funding for
Knowledge and Innovation Communities in the areas of healthy living and active ageing, raw
materials, food and added value manufacturing.
Call for Evidence on balance of competences between UK and EU
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) has launched a Call for Evidence on the
government's review of the balance of competences between the UK and the EU. The BIS Call for
Evidence focuses on the area of 'research and development', and will feed into the larger UK
Government review on the balance of competences which was launched in July 2012. The BIS Call
also covers aspects of space and innovation. The deadline for responses is 6 August 2013.
Input is sought from a wide range of stakeholders including from the research, technological
development, innovation and space sectors and can be made via an online form. BIS is planning to
hold two stakeholder events, one on 3 July for the research community and one on 8 July for the
remaining stakeholder community. The questions focus, for example, on the impact on the UK of
EU-funded research and on the effect of the European Research Area. One section focuses on
ISSUE: EI 07:13 – JULY 2013
2
future opportunities and challenges including how the EU can promote scientific and technological
progress and innovation, and future interaction of national and EU funding streams.
Further information
The Call for Evidence can be accessed at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/review-of-uk-and-eu-balance-of-competences-callfor-evidence-on-research-and-development
European Court of Auditors publish report on audits in FP7
The European Court of Auditors has published a report on the management of audits within FP7.
Several recommendations are included for improving the administration of EU funding in the future,
which the EC has “broadly accepted” and will seek to address within Horizon 2020. These include:
greater allowance for beneficiaries' normal accounting practices to be used in Horizon 2020;
strengthening process management included integrated IT tools; and aligning control activities both
before and after grant funding payments should be aligned with risk assessment
The report found that, during FP7, researchers and grant beneficiaries still faced inconsistences in
approach from the EC across different funding schemes which led to confusion and difficulty. The
auditors were happy that FP7 processes had meant funding had been invested in high quality
research, but were concerned at the level of ‘process efficiency’. Here, it is suggested that better
grant management tools, improved allocation of project staff, shortened processing times and the
alignment of financial controls with the assessment of risk from errors would improve efficiency.
Further information
The European Court of Auditors report can be accessed at:
http://eca.europa.eu/portal/pls/portal/docs/1/22482779.PDF
An EC press release on the report can be seen at:
http://ec.europa.eu/research/index.cfm?pg=newsalert&year=2013&na=na-070613
Report on implementation of ESFRI projects
The EC has published a report on the “State of Play of the Implementation of the Projects on the
European Strategy Forum for Research Infrastructures Roadmap 2010”, which gives an overview
of the challenges experienced by the ESFRI projects as they move towards implementation. The
report covers the 38 projects that are listed on the 2010 version of the ESFRI Roadmap and
highlights the bottlenecks and challenges faced by the ESFRI projects as they progress towards
implementation and lists a number of recommendations for the projects.
The EC’s Innovation Union policy initiative has set a target of 60 per cent of ESFRI projects
reaching implementation by 2015. The report concludes that 27 projects (56 per cent of the 48
ESFRI projects) are currently under implementation, and hence the target set in the Innovation
Union should be achievable.
Further information
The report can be accessed at:
http://ec.europa.eu/research/infrastructures/pdf/esfri_implementation_report_2012.pdf#view=fit&pa
gemode=none
UKRO Annual Conference 2013: presentations now available online
The presentations from the UKRO Annual Conference, held in Edinburgh on 13 and 14 June 2013,
are now available on the UKRO website. The sessions covered a wide range of subjects related to
EU research and higher education funding programmes, with a special focus on Horizon 2020.
These included: preparing for the future of EU research funding; Future and Emerging
Technologies in Horizon 2020; implementing the legal and financial rules in Horizon 2020;
ISSUE: EI 07:13 – JULY 2013
3
developing industry-academic partnerships in higher education; and establishing synergies
between the Structural Funds and Horizon 2020 programmes.
Further information
The presentations can be accessed at:
http://www.ukro.ac.uk/aboutukro/conference/Pages/index.aspx
New website developed for EIP on Smart Cities and Communities
Following the formal adoption of the European Innovation Partnership (EIP) for Smart Cities and
Communities in March 2013, the EC has now launched a new website for the EIP. In addition to
general information about the Partnership, the website provides a useful overview of the Smart
Cities and Communities governance structure and a timeline of implementation. The EIP’s
Strategic Implementation Plan is currently under development and is expected to be published in
early autumn 2013.
In parallel, the Smart Cities Stakeholder Platform is the collaborative, networking and knowledge
sharing tool of Smart Cities and Communities. It collects and analyses input from all stakeholders
in order to give advice to the High Level Group to feed into the Strategic Implementation Plan. All
interested stakeholders from research, industry, cities and communities can join the Stakeholder
Platform. The first annual conference of the Stakeholder Platform took place in Budapest on 5-6
June 2013.
Further information
The EC web pages on the EIP Smart Cities and Communities can be seen at:
http://ec.europa.eu/eip/smartcities/index_en.htm
The EIP Smart Cities and Communities Stakeholder Platform can be seen at:
http://eu-smartcities.eu/
Water EIP: list of Action Groups announced
The European Innovation Partnership (EIP) on Water has announced the results of its recent Call
for Expressions of Interest to form Action Groups. These Groups will play a central role in the
implementation of the Water EIP. Nine Action Groups have been selected out of 64 applications
submitted to the Call for Expressions of Interest, which was open from February to April 2013.
The Groups include: Smart Pricing and Drought Insurance Schemes in Mediterranean Countries;
Renewable Energy Desalination; Improving Implementation Capacities of Cities and Regions;
Regional Governance of Water Scarcity and Drought Issues; and Industrial Water Re-use and
Recycling. UK organisations are listed as participating in four of these Groups, and further
information on each one can be seen on the web page indicated below.
Further information
The EC web page on the Water EIP Action Groups can be seen at:
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/water/innovationpartnership/nine_action_groups_en.htm
Further details on the role of the Action Groups can be seen at:
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/water/innovationpartnership/pdf/Call_expression_commitments.pdf
Water JPI launches Strategic Research Agenda
The Joint Programming Initiative on “Water Challenges for a Changing World” aims to achieve
sustainable water systems in Europe through a multidisciplinary approach. It seeks to work with
existing research and innovation programmes to rationalise research agendas and infrastructures,
define common research needs and develop joint activities. The first full Strategic Research and
Innovation Agenda (SRIA) for the JPI is due to be published in June 2014 and the JPI has recently
issued an interim report in order to act as a guide to activities in 2013 and 2014, and inform
ISSUE: EI 07:13 – JULY 2013
4
stakeholders of developments towards the first SRIA. The report will be used as the basis for ongoing stakeholder consultation in the lead-up to publication of the first full SRIA next year.
The SRIA describes the roles of the different European players in the water research arena and
outlines the significant challenges to be addressed. Priority themes identified are: maintaining
ecosystem sustainability; developing safe water systems for citizens; promoting competitiveness in
the water industry; implementing a water-wise bio-economy; and closing the water cycle gap. For
each area the research, development and innovation needs are determined and envisaged activity
described. Areas of potential overlap with Horizon 2020 are highlighted to ensure no duplication of
effort and interactions with other JPIs indicated. A pilot call is expected to be launched during the
second half of 2013.
Further information
The Water JPI website is accessible at: http://www.waterjpi.eu/
The Water JPI SRIA report can be seen at:
http://www.waterjpi.eu/images/documents/Water%20JPI%20SRIA%200%205.pdf
Two expert group reports on EU-funded research on public health
The EC has released two reports by an independent expert group set up in 2012 in order to take
stock of the impacts, challenges and limitations of EU-funded public health research under the
current and previous research Framework Programmes.
The first report, entitled 'Review of Public Health Research Projects Financed under the
Framework Programmes for Health Research', assesses the impact and the lessons learned from
past Framework Programmes in the field of public health relevant for Horizon 2020. The second
report is entitled 'Future of European Public Health Research', and it addresses the questions
including: the thematic priorities for EU funded public health research under Horizon 2020; how to
best structure European public health research in the future; how to develop stronger links between
EU funded research and national research activities; and how to improve the uptake of evidence
generated from public health research in the development of public health policy.
Further information
The first report can be accessed at:
http://ec.europa.eu/research/health/pdf/review-of-public-health-research-projects-subgoup1_en.pdf
The second report can be accessed at:
http://ec.europa.eu/research/health/pdf/eu-h2020-subgroup2-report_en.pdf
New EU rules on clinical trials endorsed by European Parliament
The Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) Committee of the European Parliament
have endorsed the draft EU proposals on clinical trials of new medicines. Aimed at reversing the 25
per cent decline in clinical trials started in the EU between 2007 and 2011, the new regulation
includes simplified reporting procedures and determines fixed deadlines for response from Member
States once a clinical trial sponsor has submitted an application.
The new text also makes particular provision for low-risk trials, clarifies the duties of ethics
committees and details how to obtain informed consent from patients. Drafted by Glenis Willmott,
the MEP responsible for steering the report, the new regulation document was adopted
unanimously by the ENVI committee. Willmott has received a mandate to negotiate an agreement
with EU ministers.
Further information
The European Parliament press release is available at:
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//TEXT%2bIMPRESS%2b20130527IPR10525%2b0%2bDOC%2bXML%2bV0//EN&language=EN
ISSUE: EI 07:13 – JULY 2013
5
LERU open letter on Innovative Medicines Initiative and Horizon 2020
The League of European Research Universities (LERU) has published an open letter expressing
concerns with the financial model and intellectual property rules governing the Innovative
Medicines Initiative (IMI). The letter draws attention to the financial rules of the IMI which, in their
current form, discourage many academic partners from participating. Most universities participating
in IMI are funded at 75 per cent for their direct costs and at 20 per cent for indirect costs, operating
therefore at a financial loss. LERU acknowledges the steps taken to allow for the use of a 'full cost'
method for claiming indirect costs, but points out that the vast majority of universities do not use a
full cost accounting method.
A key recommendation is that "for Horizon 2020 all Private Public Partnerships should have
consistent rules, including the same reimbursement rates". LERU also requests that IMI financial
reimbursement rates be consistent with Horizon 2020, by covering 100 per cent reimbursement
and the same flat rate for indirect costs. Another suggestion is to bring about a "shift in the
intellectual property position so that IMI projects offer a better balance between industry interests
and those of the academic community, whose participation will necessarily underpin every project".
Further information
The open letter can be accessed at:
http://www.leru.org/index.php/public/news/open-letter-from-leru-regarding-the-innovativemedicines-initiative-imi/
EU and Gates Foundation join forces in battle against poverty-related
diseases
A new strategic partnership between the EU and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has been
formed to target joint investments in research and development of life-saving products and
treatments for poverty-related diseases. In addition to accelerating the development of drugs,
vaccines and diagnostics, the new partnership will also seek to improve affordable and sustainable
solutions to delivering the products quickly to those who need them most. More than 1 billion
people, including 400 million children, suffer from one or more of the three major poverty-related
diseases (HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis) or other neglected infectious diseases , such as
Buruli olcer, Trachoma, Lymphatic filariasis and sleeping sickness.
The foundation will be contributing to the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials
Partnership (EDCTP), which funds clinical development and trials of new products to treat and
prevent poverty-related diseases. Currently 16 European and 30 sub-Saharan African partners are
involved in EDCTP and it is seen as a major supporter of product development and capacity
building in disease endemic developing countries. The EC and the foundation are also planning to
launch a joint innovation prize at the 2014 Innovation Convention to recognize and reward
innovations that address challenges in current approaches to global health.
Further information
EC press release IP/13/517 of 10 June 2013 is available at:
http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-13-517_en.htm
New EU transport research and innovation portal now online
A new website on EU-funded research and innovation projects, known as TRIP, has been
launched. The portal is supported by the EC for dissemination and promotion of all transport
research conducted at both European and national levels, and succeeds TRKC, the Transport
Research Knowledge Centre. More than 7,400 research projects on transport can be found in the
TRIP database, together with information on EU and national programmes supporting and
promoting research activities in transport as well as complementary publications such as policy
brochures and Thematic Research Summaries. TRIP further provides news on transport research
and innovation, together with an events calendar of the key transport conferences taking place
worldwide.
ISSUE: EI 07:13 – JULY 2013
6
Further information
The website is available at: http://www.transport-research.info
COST launches open call for proposals
The European Co-operation in Science and Technology (COST) initiative has launched an open
call for proposals for ‘actions contributing to the scientific, technological, economic, cultural or
societal development of Europe’. Proposals which ‘play a precursor role for other European
programmes and/or initiated by early-stage researchers are especially welcome. The deadline for
applications is 27 September 2013.
COST is organised into nine broad domains covering a wide range of research fields, and
applicants are invited to situate their chosen topic within one domain. In addition, interdisciplinary
proposals not fitting readily into a single domain should be submitted as trans-domain proposals
and will be evaluated separately. Proposals should include researchers from a minimum of five
COST countries. Financial support for an action of 19 participating countries is in the range of
€130,000 per year, normally for a period of up to four years.
Further information
Further details on the COST open call can be seen at:
http://www.cost.eu/participate/open_call
Winners of European Prize for Innovation in Public Administration
The EC has announced the nine winners of its Prize for Innovation in Public Administration. Part of
the Innovation Union policy initiative, the prize was set up in order to: "find the most innovative,
forward-looking public initiatives which benefit citizens, firms, or the education and research
sector". There are three winners in each category, and the prize consists of €100,000 each in order
to expand the initiative in question. The competition, for which there were 203 entries, was open
from September 2012 until February 2013.
In the "Citizens' category", the three winners include the London Borough of Islington, which was
rewarded for an "integrated package of interventions to reduce fuel poverty, excess winter deaths
and hospital admissions". In the "Education and Research" category, the three winners are: the
Murcia region in Spain (an initiative in which students become entrepreneurs and compete in a
race for energy-efficient vehicles); the Academic and Research Network in Croatia (promotion of
equal access to high quality education via equipping primary schools in remote areas with ICT) and
a national initiative in Slovakia on a plagiarism detection system which aggregates dissertations of
all higher education institutions.
Further information
EC press release IP/13/505 of 6 June 2013 is available at:
http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-13-505_en.htm?locale=en
EC report on international science, technology and innovation co-operation
The EC has published a report entitled “Overview of international science, technology and
innovation cooperation between Member States and countries outside the EU, and the
development of a future monitoring mechanism”, which summarises the international science,
technology and innovation (STI) policies and schemes currently in operation within EU countries.
The report is divided into nine chapters which cover areas including: the goals, rationales and
targets for international STI co-operation; an overview of some of the identified trends and
geographical patterns; the impacts and effects of international STI cooperation policy; and how to
monitor the implementation of Member States’ STI co-operation policies with international partner
countries.
ISSUE: EI 07:13 – JULY 2013
7
Further information
The report can be accessed at:
http://ec.europa.eu/research/iscp/pdf/study_cooperation_countries_outside_the_eu.pdf
Conference gives strong endorsement to Human Frontier Science Program
A conference in Brussels hosted by the EC has announced an increase in budget for the Human
Frontiers Science Program (HFSP). Between 2014 and 2016 the Programme will receive a net
increase from the current annual budget of $55.7 million. HFSP is a global programme funding
frontier research in the life sciences, and the securing of this future funding will allow an expansion
of the Program’s support for innovative, cutting-edge and high-risk research, whilst further
promoting international collaboration in the spirit of science without borders.
"The Human Frontier Science Program has been an inspiration and a model for frontier research
funding schemes throughout the world, including our own European Research Council," said Máire
Geoghegan-Quinn, European Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science after the
conference. "Since its inception in 1989, HFSP has provided almost 6,500 awards to scientists
giving them the opportunity to pursue cutting-edge research at all stages of their career.” The
conference also encouraged the HFSP to broaden its membership to new countries, reflecting the
increasingly globalised nature of frontier research. To facilitate this, an open session of the meeting
was attended by observers from Brazil, China, Mexico, South Africa and Turkey, with view to these
countries being involved in the Programme.
Further information
An EC press release on the conference can be seen at:
http://ec.europa.eu/research/index.cfm?pg=newsalert&year=2013&na=na-110613
Human Frontier Science Program launches call for postdoctoral fellowships
In parallel, the HFSP has launched its 2014 call for postdoctoral fellowships in order to encourage
early career scientists to broaden their research skills by moving into new areas of study while
working in a new country. The HFSP offers two different types of fellowships for basic research in
life sciences: Long-Term and Cross-Disciplinary Fellowships. Long-Term Fellowships are for
applicants with a PhD in a biological discipline, who will broaden their expertise by proposing a
project in the life sciences which is significantly different from their previous PhD or postdoctoral
work.
Cross-Disciplinary Fellowships are for applicants with a PhD from outside the life sciences who
have had limited exposure to biology during their previous training. HFSP fellowships are for three
years. Fellows may choose to stay for up to three years in the host country, or use the last year of
their fellowship to return to their home country, or to move to another HFSP member country. For
the eligibility requirements for candidates and the list of member countries, please consult the web
page indicated below. The initial deadline for registering a proposal is 13 August 2013, while the
submission deadline for proposals is 29 August 2013.
Further information
The HFSP Postdoctoral Fellowships web pages can be seen at:
http://www.hfsp.org/funding/postdoctoral-fellowships
Winner of Best EU Nanotechnology Project prize announced
A project entitled ‘Sonodrugs: Image-Controlled Ultrasound Induced Drug Delivery’ is the winner of
the EU Nanotechnology Best Research Project Award, with the ceremony held at EuroNanoForum
(ENF), Europe's largest Nanotechnology and Materials Conference, which took place in Dublin on
18-20 June 2013. The 11 shortlisted projects were selected by representatives of the ENF 2013
International Advisory Group, which evaluated the scientific and technological breakthroughs
ISSUE: EI 07:13 – JULY 2013
8
achieved by the project, how the project is addressing societal challenges (i.e. environment, health,
food safety, climate change), and, finally, the applicability of project results.
The EU Nanotechnology Prize aims to highlight the innovative outcomes of EU research projects
and to present how nanotechnologies enable progress in every aspect of daily life. The competition
was open to all completed EU-funded projects in the field of Nanotechnologies, with a total of 50
projects entering the competition. Nanotechnologies research accounted for more than €900
million funding for the period 2007 to 2011 under FP7.
Further information
More details on the shortlisted projects can be seen at:
http://www.euronanoforum2013.eu/calls/call-for-projects/
Agreement on Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance
An agreement for an alliance in Atlantic Ocean research has been signed by the EU, USA and
Canada. This follows the recently-published EU marine strategy for the Atlantic, and the overall aim
is to collaborate more closely in the field and make efforts to align ocean observation efforts. The
overall aim of the "Galway Statement on Atlantic Ocean Co-operation" is to achieve a better
understanding of the Atlantic Ocean and the promotion of sustainable resource management, as
well as work on the interplay of the Atlantic with the Arctic Ocean.
The agreement and areas identified could well be reflected in future Horizon 2020 work
programmes in. Areas identified for potential co-operation include: ocean observation; sharing of
data; interoperability and coordination of observing infrastructures; sustainable management of
ocean resources; seabed and benthic habitat mapping; promoting researcher mobility; and
recommending future research priorities.
Further information
EC press release MEMO/13/455 of 24 May 2013 is available at:
http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-13-455_en.htm
British Council Opportunities
British Council launch Researcher Links initiative
The British Council launched a new “Researcher Links” initiative last month. In the call to action
issued on 12 June leading researchers are invited to propose themes for bilateral workshops to be
held in a partner country to bring together early career researchers to discuss their research and
start building international relations and networks. The deadline for applications is 14 July 2013.
Workshops will be coordinated by two leading researchers, one from each country, and will focus
on either a specific research area or an interdisciplinary theme (for example ‘Sustainable Cities’).
Workshop coordinators can identify up to four other leading or well-established researchers to be
involved in the workshop, to act as mentors, but the remaining participants must be researchers at
an earlier stage in their career. Proposals will be accepted in any discipline/multidisciplinary area,
but some countries may have specified areas which will be prioritised in the final selection process.
The British Council will co-fund the workshops with partner country funders. Guidelines for
applicants, a list of partner countries and specific country requirements (where applicable) plus the
application form are available from the Researcher Links webpage.
Further information
The British Council Researcher Links web page can be seen at:
http://www.britishcouncil.org/science/british-council-researcher-links
ISSUE: EI 07:13 – JULY 2013
9
Education, Training and Culture
High-level report on improving quality of teaching within EU
An EU-appointed high-level group on the modernisation of higher education has published a report
on improving the quality of teaching and learning in European universities. In their report, the group
makes a number of concrete recommendations. These include, for example, for public authorities
to put in place a sustainable, well-funded framework to improve the quality of teaching and
learning; recommendations on strategy development and taking into account student feedback.
The group also recommends that the EU supports the implementation of their recommendations
and supports the establishment of a European Academy for Teaching and learning, which would
be led by stakeholders. In addition, the report includes a recommendation that researchers who are
supported by the Marie Curie Actions and who are planning an academic career should be given
the opportunity to gain professional teaching qualifications. They should also have support for
teaching activities alongside their research.
Further information
The report can be accessed at:
http://ec.europa.eu/education/higher-education/doc/modernisation_en.pdf
New guidance documents on future Erasmus Plus programme
The British Council has published a series of guidance documents on the Erasmus Plus
programme, the successor to the EU’s Lifelong Learning Programme for funding higher education
initiatives, which will run from 2014 to 2020. The factsheet and Frequently Asked Questions
documents highlight the key changes and new features of the programme, compared with the
current Lifelong Learning Programme.
The new programme was termed ‘Erasmus for All’ within the EC proposal published in 2011,
however as part of the recent agreement on the programme the chosen name will now be
‘Erasmus Plus’. The programme is for organisations across all sectors actively involved in
delivering formal and non-formal education and training, youth and sport activities.
Further information
The guidance documents can be seen here on the British Council website:
http://www.lifelonglearningprogramme.org.uk/erasmus-for-all#sthash.8TQ8ZiGo.a4OU0b6L.dpbs
Two new calls under Youth in Action programme
The EC has published two calls for proposals under the Youth in Action programme. The first call,
under the ‘Partnerships’ strand, aims to support partnerships between regional or local public
bodies or other stakeholders active in the youth sector at European level in order to develop longterm projects which combine various measures of the programme. The deadline for applications is
5 September 2013.
The second call, under the ‘Projects of Youth Workers Mobility’ strand, seeks to support mobility
and exchanges in order to promote the acquisition of new skills amongst professionals working in
the youth support field. Projects could include: improving youth workers' language skills; promoting
the exchange of experiences on youth work and non-formal education in Europe; and developing
stronger partnerships between youth organisations across Europe. The deadline for this call is 10
September 2013.
Further information
Further details on both calls can be accessed at:
http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/youth/funding/2013/index_en.php
ISSUE: EI 07:13 – JULY 2013
10
Call on implementing EU strategic objectives in education and training
The EC’s Education and Culture Directorate-General has published a call for proposals, under the
Lifelong Learning Programme, on the implementation of the European strategic objectives in
education and training. The deadline for applications for this call, which has a total budget of €4
million, is 16 September 2013.
The call is designed to support EU countries’ to develop and implement innovative, cost efficient
policy solutions in areas such as strengthening youth employability and reducing the number of
early school leavers. The call has two separate components, with the first one supporting national
implementation and awareness-raising of the objectives of European co-operation in education and
training; and the second one supporting the development of policy solutions at institutional level to
reduce early school leaving.
Further information
All the details on the call can be seen at:
http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/llp/funding/2013/call_ecet_2013_en.php
Events
Annual Workshop on The Output of R&D Activities: Harnessing the Power of
Patents Data
th
The 5 Annual International workshop on Harnessing the Power of Patents Data (organised by the
EC) will take place on 19-20 September 2013 in Seville, Spain. The Workshop will cover the
relationship between, and factors affecting, patents (and other Intellectual Property Rights) and
research, development and innovation. Focus areas will include institutional aspects of patent
systems, the methodological aspects of collecting and analysing data, and the research outputs of
patent analysis.
Further information
More details on the Workshop are available at:
http://is.jrc.ec.europa.eu/pages/Events.html#ForthcomingEvents
Third European Energy Conference
The third European Energy Conference, E2C 2013, will be held in Budapest from 27 to 30 October
2013. The event will cover chemistry, physics and material sciences related to energy
technologies. The programme focuses on safe and efficient harnessing of solar energy (directly
and indirectly), and nuclear and thermonuclear power generation. There will also be discussion
about energy storage in chemical and other forms, hydrogen infrastructure and energy transfer by
photosynthesis. A number of high-level speakers are featured in the conference programme.
Further information
The conference website can be seen at:
http://ec.europa.eu/research/index.cfm?pg=events&eventcode=431F8983-FB97-FAE31C5BCE565E43F0C2
ISSUE: EI 07:13 – JULY 2013
11
New Publications and Online Resources
New catalogue on FP7 Ocean of Tomorrow projects 2010-2012
The EC has published a new brochure presenting the 19 projects selected under the ‘Ocean of
Tomorrow’ call which ran under FP7 in 2010, 2011 and 2012. The initiative aims to foster
multidisciplinary approaches and cross-fertilisation between various scientific disciplines and
economic sectors on key cross-cutting marine and maritime challenges.
Further information
The publication can be accessed at:
http://ec.europa.eu/research/bioeconomy/news-events/news/20130201_1_en.htm
CORDIS
CORDIS is the official Community Research and Development Information Service for science,
research and innovation provided by the Office for Official Publications of the European
Communities. The interactive website offers daily news and detailed information on the EU’s
research programmes.
URL: http://cordis.europa.eu
IGLO Project Search
The IGLO Project Service offers a forum for publishing and disseminating details of proposed FP7
projects and/or research skills offered. The service enables researchers to find contacts and
partners within the international research community as well as contributing to the mobilisation of a
critical mass of researchers in a specific research area.
URL: http://www.iglortd.org
EUR-LEX (Official Journal C and L)
This website provides information on EU Law. It includes electronic copies of EU treaties and
recent copies of the Official Journal of the European Communities (OJ). The OJ, published daily in
23 languages, consists of two related series: the L series (Legislation) and the C series
(Information, notices and preparatory EU legislation), a supplement and an annex. EUR-LEX
provides free access to the C and L series of the Official Journal for a period of 45 days following
publication. (The OJ issue with the Euro exchange rates (L 359, 31/12/1998) is permanently
available in PDF format on EUR-LEX).
URL: EUR-LEX http://www.europa.eu/eur-lex
Official Journals C and L http://www.europa.eu/eur-lex/en/oj
Treaty of Amsterdam http://www.europa.eu/eur-lex/en/treaties
EUROPA
EUROPA is the official EU server. It contains links to the EP, the European Council, the EC and
other EU institutions and contains information on EU policies listed by subject area.
URL: http://www.europa.eu
RAPID
RAPID is a database giving a daily view of the activities of the EU as presented by the institutions
in their press releases.
EC Press Releases are available at: http://europa.eu/rapid
ISSUE: EI 07:13 – JULY 2013
12
EURAXESS
The EURAXESS-UK website provides information and advice for international researchers wishing to
come to the UK, or for those looking for research jobs in Europe. It has sections on the UK research
landscape, funding and jobs, as well as information on practical issues, like accommodation, tax and
childcare.
Visit www.euraxess.org.uk
cubed… from the British Council
cubed, the monthly webzine from the British Council discusses the science that’s shaping our
society and bringing a new dimension to everyday life. It brings the latest innovations in fashion
and music, design and digital, film and life, and the products and ideas that will change our world.
Visit: http://www.britishcouncil.org/science-cubed.htm
Talking Science
Created by the British Council, the Talking Science website provides up-to-date information and
links to the latest ideas in science communication in the UK: www.britishcouncil.org/talkingscience
GLOSSARY
Capacities
Capacities is the fourth Specific Programme of FP7 and is worth over €4 billion from 2007 to 2013.
It aims to enhance research capacities throughout Europe and ensure their optimal use. It is made
up of the following broad areas: Research Infrastructures; Research for the Benefit of SMEs;
Regions of Knowledge; Research Potential for the Benefit of Convergence Regions; Science in
Society; Support to Coherent Development of Research Policies; and International Co-operation.
http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/capacities
CIP
The Competitiveness and Innovation Programme will run from 2007 to 2013. With a budget of €3.6
billion, it is made up of three Specific Programmes: the Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Programme; the ICT Policy Support Programme; and the Intelligent Energy-Europe Programme
http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/cip
Co-operation
Co-operation is the first Specific Programme of FP7. Worth over €30 billion between 2007 and
2013, it is made up of ten thematic areas: Health; Food, Agriculture, Fisheries and Biotechnology;
Information Communications Technology (ICT); Nanosciences, Nanomaterials, Materials and New
Production Technologies; Energy; Environment; Transport; Socio-economic Sciences and the
Humanities; Space; and Security.
http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/co-operation
COST
European Co-operation in the field of Scientific and Technical Research is a framework for
scientific and technical co-operation, allowing the co-ordination of national research on a European
level.
http://www.cost.esf.org
'Council'
'Council' refers to the 'Council of Ministers', the principal decision-making body within the European
Union. It has both executive and legislative powers, the latter in some cases exercised jointly with
the EP (co-decision procedure). The Council is composed of one representative at ministerial level
from each member state. Which ministers attend each Council meeting varies according to the
subject discussed, e.g. the Minister of Science in the UK attends the Research Council.
ISSUE: EI 07:13 – JULY 2013
13
http://consilium.europa.eu/cms3_fo/showPage.ASP?lang=en
EC
The EC stands for European Commission. It is the ‘civil service of the EU’ and is made up of 27
departments, known as Directorates General, which are each headed by Commissioners
nominated by the Member States. The EC both initiates proposals for EU legislation and executes
EU policies and actions.
http://ec.europa.eu
EP
The European Parliament is made up of elected representatives (MEPs) from all the member
states. It shares decision-making power with the European Council in a number of areas, including
research and education.
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/public/default_en.htm
ERA
European Research Area. On 18 January 2000 the EC issued a communication entitled ’Towards
a European Research Area’ that proposed ways in which research in Europe could be more
effectively organised and co-ordinated.
http://ec.europa.eu/research/era
ERC
The European Research Council, which is the Ideas Specific Programme of FP7, is worth over €7
billion from 2007 to 2013. The ERC funds investigator-led, frontier research. It consists of five grant
schemes: Starting Independent Researcher Grants; Consolidator Grants; Advanced Investigator
Grants; Proof of Concept Funding; and Synergy Grants.
http://erc.europa.eu
ESA
The European Space Agency is responsible for designing and developing the European space
programme. The Agency’s projects are designed to find out more about the Earth, its immediate
space environment, the solar system and the universe, as well as to develop satellite-based
technologies and services, and to promote European industries.
http://www.esa.int
ESC
The European Economic and Social Committee is a consultative body made up of representatives
of Europe's employers' organisations, trade unions, farmers, consumer groups and professional
associations.
http://eesc.europa.eu
ESF
European Science Foundation
http://www.esf.org
ESF
The European Social Fund, part of the EU’s Structural Funds
http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/esf2000/index_en.html
ETP
European Technology Platforms are stakeholder groupings, led by industry, that help to define
research and development priorities, timeframes and action plans on a number of strategically
important issues.
http://ec.europa.eu/research/energy/nn/nn_rt/nn_rt_hlg/article_1262_en.htm
Euratom
The European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) was set up in 1957 and is legally separate
from the European Community. Euratom will have €2.7 billion from FP7 to fund nuclear research
and training activities between 2007 and 2011.
ISSUE: EI 07:13 – JULY 2013
14
http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/euratom
Eureka
Eureka is a Europe-wide network for industrial research and development.
http://www.eureka.be
FP (FP5, FP6, FP7)
The EU’s Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development. The Fifth
Framework Programme (FP5) was adopted in 1998 and ran until 2002, with FP6 then running from
2002 to 2006, and FP7 running from 2007 to 2013. The budget for FP7 is over €50 billion.
Further information on the thematic and horizontal programme composition of FP6 is available at:
http://cordis.europa.eu/fp6
Further information on FP7 can be found at: http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7
Green Paper
Green Papers are communications published by the EC on a specific policy area. Primarily, they
are documents addressed to interested parties who are invited to participate in a process of
consultation and debate. In some cases they provide an impetus for subsequent legislation.
ICPC
An International Co-operation Partner Country is an economically less developed country, which is
not an EU member state or associated state. ICPC partners can participate in FP7 projects and
receive funding.
Ideas
The Ideas Specific Programme within FP7 is worth over €7 billion from 2007 to 2013. New to
Framework Programme Seven, the Ideas Programme funds investigator-led, frontier research. It is
implemented through the European Research Council and consists of five grant schemes: Starting
Independent Researcher Grants; Consolidator Grants; Advanced Investigator Grants; Proof of
Concept Funding; and Synergy Grants.
http://erc.europa.eu
ITRE
The European Parliament Committee on Industry, External Trade, Research and Energy (FP7)
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/committees/itre_home_en.htm
JRC
The EC’s Joint Research Centre acts as a scientific and technological laboratory in support of EU
policies, with a range of institutes and research activities.
http://www.jrc.ec.europa.eu
LLP
The Lifelong Learning Programme is made up of four pillars: the Comenius programme for pupils,
teachers and schools; the Erasmus programme for students, scholars, professors and universities;
the Leonardo da Vinci programme for apprentices, workers and employees; and the Grundtvig
programme for adults and teachers and related organisations. There is also a transversal
programme (for policy development, languages, information and communication technology) and
the Jean Monnet programme (dealing with issues relating to European integration, European
institutions and associations in the fields of education and training).
http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/static/en/llp/index_en.htm
MEDIA
The MEDIA Programme aims to strengthen the competitiveness of the European audiovisual
industry.
http://ec.europa.eu/comm/avpolicy/media/index_en.html
NATO
North Atlantic Treaty Organisation
ISSUE: EI 07:13 – JULY 2013
15
http://www.nato.int
People
The third Specific Programme of FP7 is worth over €4 billion during the period from 2007 to 2013.
Made up of the Marie Curie Actions, it aims to improve the quality of human resources in European
research through training and trans-national mobility of researchers.
http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/people/home_en.html
RTD
Research and Technological Development
SICA
Specific International Co-operation Actions are FP7 call topics where a partner from an ICPC
country has to be involved.
SME
Small and medium sized enterprises
http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/enterprise_policy/sme_definition/index_en.htm
Specific Programme
FP7 is made up of seven Specific Programmes: Co-operation; Ideas (implemented through the
European Research Council); People (the Marie Curie Actions); Capacities; the Joint Research
Centre (JRC); Euratom and the JRC implementing Euratom.
SSH
Socio-economic Sciences and the Humanities is the eighth theme of the FP7 Co-operation Specific
Programme.
Treaty of Amsterdam
The Treaty of Amsterdam was signed in October 1997 and entered into force on 1 May 1999.
http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/lex/en/treaties/index.htm
UUK
Universities UK (formerly the Committee of Vice Chancellors and Principals)
http://www.universitiesuk.ac.uk
White Paper
White Papers are documents containing proposals for Community action in a specific area. They
often follow a Green Paper.
******************************************************************
Produced by the United Kingdom Research Office (UKRO)
for the British Council.
UKRO
Rue du Trône 4, BP1
B-1000 Brussels, Belgium
Tel: +32 2 230 5275 / 1535
Fax: +32 2 230 4803
E-mail: [email protected]
URL: http://www.ukro.ac.uk
ISSUE: EI 07:13 – JULY 2013
16