European News
Council Misses the Opportunity to Clarify the SME Specific Instrument
On 20th February 2012 the Competitiveness Council held a public debate on Horizon 2020, preceded by a presentation from the Commission. There were three main topics for discussion: International Cooperation, Social Sciences and Humanities and the participation of SMEs in Horizon 2020. The Ministers pointed out the importance of a strong external dimension in all parts of Horizon 2020, as well as the great importance attached to Social Sciences and Humanities. In this respect, however, there were different points of views between the countries that want to keep it embedded in all the Societal200more
Flanders recommends the Commission to reinstate the full-cost option
The Flemish Council for Science and Innovation (VRWI) has recently published a position paper in which they support the full-cost option for non-profit organizations that are able to calculate their...more
Research Clearing Committee active since January 2012
According to the Commission, the Research Clearing Committee - responsible for ensuring a uniform interpretation of research-related rules among the different Commission services - is set up and...more
Competitiveness Council to discuss International Cooperation and SMEs on Horizon 2020
On February 20th to 21st will take place the first formal Competitiveness Council meeting of the Danish Presidency. On Tuesday there will be a public debate on Horizon 2020 and the EIT that can be...more
Maria da Graça Carvalho Also Appointed Rapporteur for H2020
Portuguese MEP Maria da Graça Carvalho has been appointed rapporteur for the Specific Programme Implementing Horizon 2020. She will respond to the text presented by the Commission on 30 November 2011...more
Austria presents its position on Horizon 2020
On February 14th the Austrian Ministry for Science and Research published its position paper on the Horizon 2020 proposals. Austria welcomes the proposed general structure of Horizon 2020, but...more
EC Presents List of Simplification Measures to MFF
The European Commission has presented a Communication gathering all simplification measures it wishes to apply to the future EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). In the area of research, the...more
EC Proposes Strategy to Build Bioeconomy in Europe
On February 22nd the European Commission presented its strategy for reinforcing the bioeconomy in Europe, a sector that employs already 22 million people in the EU. Research and Innovation is the...more
EC Publishes “Innovation Union Scoreboard 2011”
On February 7th the European Commission has presented the “Innovation Union Scoreboard 2011” (IUS). The report compares the innovation performance of the EU member states and associated members...more
JPND Launches its Research Strategy
On February 7th the Joint Programming Initiative on Neurodegenerative Disease Research launched the first ever European-wide research strategy in the field. This common Research Strategy will guide...more