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The Ecosystem: The Race is on to Choose Europe's Regional Innovation Valleys

The Ecosystem: The Race is on to Choose Europe's Regional Innovation Valleys

The European Commission plans to designate 100 locations across Europe as Regional Innovation Valleys, in a bid to strengthen innovation in EU priority areas and encourage collaboration between more and less advanced regions. 

European Commission Sets Up New European Innovation Council Unit in the Research Directorate

European Commission Sets Up New European Innovation Council Unit in the Research Directorate

The European Commission has reorganised its directorate general for research and innovation (RTD) in order to give it better oversight of the European Innovation Council (EIC), with a new organisation chart published last week showing management of the innovation funding programme has been moved to a new unit. The unit will sit in the directorate for the European Research Area and Innovation, which is led by Anna Panagopoulou.

New Pharma Rules Risk 'Sabotaging' Life Sciences in Europe, Says the Industry

New Pharma Rules Risk 'Sabotaging' Life Sciences in Europe, Says the Industry

The European Commission has unveiled long-awaited proposals to reform EU's pharmaceutical legislation to enable better access to drugs and promote innovation, but industry doesn't like the look of it. The first revision of the legislation in over 20 years aims to make medicines more available, accessible and affordable, while boosting innovation and industrial competitiveness, by simplifying regulations and speeding up the scientific evaluation and authorisation of new drugs.

War in Ukraine Prompts Shifts in Thinking About International Cooperation in Science

War in Ukraine Prompts Shifts in Thinking About International Cooperation in Science

A year ago, Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine redefined geopolitics in a shockwave that is still reverberating through the science world. The EU research community was quick to cut ties with Russia and lend Ukraine a helping hand - but now it is grappling with resulting instability and uncertainty as the war climbs into its second year.

Viewpoint: Making the Case for the European Innovation Council's Top Down Research Programmes

Viewpoint: Making the Case for the European Innovation Council's Top Down Research Programmes

The European Innovation Council's (EIC) future will involve more horizon scanning, intelligence and strategy, according to a programme manager responsible for scoping the potential for technological and innovation breakthroughs and for directing EIC health-related projects, to ensure there is a coherent plan that will support development of a competitive sector.

Commission Lines Up for Large-Scale Review of Research Programmes

Commission Lines Up for Large-Scale Review of Research Programmes

The European Commission is about to embark on assessments of the EU's research programmes, guided by a joint consultation with stakeholders opening in November. Three tasks on the agenda are a new strategic plan for the current €95.5 billion Horizon Europe research framework; evaluation of the first half of Horizon Europe; and the final assessment of the previous research programme, Horizon 2020.

European University Alliances Say Fragmented Education Laws Could Undermine Their Future

European University Alliances Say Fragmented Education Laws Could Undermine Their Future

As the transnational European university alliances enter their fourth year, the European Commission is pumping in an extra €384 million to keep the initiative going. But the current alliances say the goal should be long-term sustainable support. The fourth call for proposals launched this week, will back existing alliances to expand and to launch new ones, as the scheme edges towards the goal of having 60 alliances with more than 500 member universities by mid-2024.

EU Called Out for Bureaucratic Obstacles to Cross-Border Researcher Mobility

EU Called Out for Bureaucratic Obstacles to Cross-Border Researcher Mobility

The lifting of pandemic restrictions on travel and increased requirements in EU research programmes for researchers to spend time abroad is drawing renewed attention to the way in which blanket EU rules for managing labour flows are getting in the way.

The Ecosystem: Innovation Agenda Puts Policy Impetus Behind Closing Europe's Innovation Gap

The Ecosystem: Innovation Agenda Puts Policy Impetus Behind Closing Europe's Innovation Gap

The Commission's Innovation Agenda, adopted last week, has been welcomed in central and eastern Europe for its high-profile acknowledgement of the innovation divide within Europe, and for nailing down the EU's most urgent innovation challenges.

The Ecosystem: European Patent Office Survey Shows Strict Novelty Requirement is Undermining High-potential Inventions in Europe

The Ecosystem: European Patent Office Survey Shows Strict Novelty Requirement is Undermining High-potential Inventions in Europe

Europe may be missing out on lucrative new products, start-ups, and even potential unicorns.

Ukraine War Prompts EU to 'Speed Up' Work on Critical Technologies, Gabriel Says

Ukraine War Prompts EU to 'Speed Up' Work on Critical Technologies, Gabriel Says

Russia's invasion in Ukraine has upended long-held dogmas on international cooperation, including in science and technology. The European Commission is now using that momentum to speed up the development of innovation and promote self-sufficiency in critical areas, such as green energy, semiconductors and health, EU research and innovation commissioner told Science|Business.   

EUROPEAN FUND FOR DISPLACED SCIENTISTS

EUROPEAN FUND FOR DISPLACED SCIENTISTS

The EFDS will provide funds to academic institutions in Europe that are willing and able to host displaced researchers from Ukraine.

EU Suspends Research Payments to Russian Partners

EU Suspends Research Payments to Russian Partners

The European Commission has suspended payments to Russian institutions involved in EU-funded research and innovation projects. In addition, the EU will not launch any new cooperation projects with Russian universities, research institutes and companies.

Europe Divided on Whether to Isolate Russia Scientifically

Europe Divided on Whether to Isolate Russia Scientifically

Governments, universities and individual academics across Europe over are being forced to choose whether to cut research ties with Russia after Moscow shocked the scientific community with its assault on Ukraine. Germany, Russia's second biggest research collaborator after the US, has said it will halt all scientific cooperation, while the UK is reviewing its links.

Controversial Appointment at Slovenian Research Agency Sparks Outrage

Controversial Appointment at Slovenian Research Agency Sparks Outrage

Slovenian universities and research stakeholders are decrying government interference in the appointment of a new head of the Slovenian Research Agency (ARRS). The agency's management board appointed cardiologist Mitja Lainščak as acting director on Saturday 28 January, a few days after the government replaced four members of the board who disagreed with that decision, and had instead twice proposed economist Lidija Tičar Padar for the job.

European Innovation Council Fund is Yet to Start Giving out Money

European Innovation Council Fund is Yet to Start Giving out Money

Start-ups and SMEs promised equity funding by the European Innovation Council (EIC) will have to wait "a number of months into 2022" for the financing, as the European Commission struggles with setting up the fund under Horizon Europe.

Call for Additional €4B Investment in European Research Infrastructures

Call for Additional €4B Investment in European Research Infrastructures

Europe needs to build eleven new international research labs at a cost of €4.16 billion, according to the latest roadmap from the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI), published on 7 Dec., as the European Commission called for a review of funding sources for the shared facilities.