Horizon 2020 Projects

The European Wind Energy Association’s regulatory affairs adviser, Vilma Radvilaitė, outlines her thoughts on the impact of the next framework programme with particular reference to the wind energy sector.

Former EU health commissioner David Byrne has outlined the importance of multinational collaboration in the health sector at the ‘European Science: Global Challenges & Global Collaboration conference’.

Delegates at the ‘EU Science: Global Challenges Global Collaboration’ conference in Brussels have proposed a 50-year roadmap to solve the growing crises facing the European healthcare sector.

The ‘NucIear Fission Research for a Low Carbon Economy’ conference, a two-day symposium on the benefits of nuclear fission is being held by the EU and the European Economic and Social Committee.

EuropaBio, the organisation representing the European biotechnology industry, has welcomed the introduction of a single European patent, saying it will boost the EU’s international competitiveness.

The European Commissioner for Research and Innovation, Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, has announced the development of a bioeconomy observatory to track the developments of the EU’s biotechnology sector.

Andrew Boulton, the president of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes, has welcomed Horizon 2020 health research funding, adding the ERC has been crucial to advancing scientific breakthroughs.

A new memorandum of understanding between Science Foundation Ireland and the country’s agriculture and food development authority, is to strengthen Ireland’s competitiveness in Horizon 2020.

Keith Melton, the president of the European Renewable Energy Research Centre, has warned that national and EU funding streams should be kept separate in Horizon 2020 energy funding bids.

The European Parliament’s Industry, Research and Energy Committee has approved an amendment to include ‘cultural heritage’ as part of Horizon 2020 in a move that has been welcomed by across Europe.

A growing list of European research institutes are giving their backing towards the development of Horizon 2020, the EU’s next framework programme for research and innovation.

Transport requires increased investment, particularly in green technology, under Horizon 2020, according to Bert de Colvenaer, executive director of the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking.

The Stockholm Environment Institute’s Tom Gill has welcomed efforts by the European Union to combat climate change, given the investment in new technological developments that will come from Horizon 2020.

Alfons Westgeest, the secretary general of EUROBAT, the association of European Automotive and Industrial Battery Manufacturers, has called for increased investment in battery technology..

The use of biofuels is expected to grow rapidly by 2050 according to the chair of European Biofuels Technology Platform’s Lars Christian Hansen, who believes 30 flagship plants would be needed.

The European Commissioner responsible for Industry and Entrepreneurship, Antonio Tajani, has said he expects transport research funding “to double” under Horizon 2020, the EU’s replacement for FP7.

Europe must consider introducing specialist maternity guidelines for immigrant women says Birgitta Essén, associate professor in the Women’s and Children’s Health department of Uppsala University.