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UKRO - European RTD Insight
British Council online bulletin
News on EU Research Policy and Programmes
Issue: EI 04:12 – 1 December 2004
TABLE OF CONTENTS
EU POLICY ............................................................................................................2
EP Approves New Commission ..........................................................................2
Enlargement and European diversity ..................................................................2
Queen sheds light on EU Treaty referendum ......................................................3
Commissioner for research calls for renewed commitment .................................3
Twenty years for the UK Research Councils in Brussels ....................................4
Kok report: swift action required if EU is to meet Lisbon objectives ....................4
EC action plan on freedom, security and justice .................................................5
EURAB unhappy with lack of progress in social sciences and humanities ..........5
EC to help children swallow those pills ...............................................................5
Spanish stem cell research policy ......................................................................6
EC information society strategy ..........................................................................6
European Space Council ....................................................................................7
EP vote on climate change .................................................................................7
Europe’s changing surface .................................................................................8
Innovation in Europe ..........................................................................................8
RESEARCH NEWS ...............................................................................................9
European space policy: Europe flies to the moon ..............................................9
Stellar survivor from 1572 AD explosion supports supernova theory ..................9
A new generation in video watching ...................................................................10
Can we blame our genes for making us fat? .......................................................10
EDUCATION, TRAINING AND CULTURE .............................................................11
Bologna Process developments .........................................................................11
European Universities Association response to the EC communication on future
European research policy ...................................................................................11
EXTERNAL COLLABORATION .............................................................................12
EU and India Partnership ...................................................................................12
ITER still has no home .......................................................................................12
Continued efforts to promote EU-Russia economic ties through industry............12
Swiss/British cooperation ...................................................................................13
EVENTS and AWARDS .........................................................................................13
Research Ethics Committees in Europe conference ...........................................13
Marie Curie Excellence Awards ..........................................................................14
2004 Descartes Prize .........................................................................................14
Young Scientists receive Life sciences awards...................................................14
NEW PUBLICATIONS and ONLINE RESOURCES ...............................................15
New Website: European Commissioner for Science and Research ....................15
EC launches handbook on integration of immigrants ..........................................15
Launch of NORFACE .........................................................................................15
CORDIS .............................................................................................................16
IGLO Project Search ..........................................................................................16
EUR-LEX (Official Journal C and L)....................................................................16
EUROPA ............................................................................................................16
RAPID ................................................................................................................17
GLOSSARY ...........................................................................................................17
*****************************************
EU POLICY
EP Approves New Commission
Commission President José Barroso's new team of European Commissioners received a
vote of approval at the EP with 449 votes in favour (to 149 against with 82 abstentions).
Last month, Barroso withdrew and reshuffled his proposed team once it had become clear
that his Commission would face rejection by MEPs. The Italian nominee Commissioner
Rocco Buttiglione was replaced by Franco Frattini, the Italian Foreign Minister, who on 15
November successfully completed his hearings for the position of Commissioner for Justice
and Home Affairs. Latvia's new nominee, Andris Piebalgs, will replace Lászlo Kovács at
Energy, while the latter takes over the Taxation and Customs Union portfolio previously
assigned to Ingrid Udre. The new Commission will take office on 22 November
Previously, the EP had adopted a resolution setting up a 'code of conduct' for the new
Commission. The resolution on the Barroso Commission provides that, should lack of
confidence in a Commission member be expressed by the EP, the President of the
Commission can request that particular member to step down. If he decides to keep that
member in his team, he will have to justify his decision to the Parliament. In this way, MEPs
will acquire greater influence on the composition of the Commission.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
Details on the election of the Commission on the EP website at:
http://www2.europarl.eu.int/omk/sipade2?PUBREF=-//EP//TEXT+PRESS+DN-20041118-
1+0+DOC+XML+V0//EN&L=EN&LEVEL=2&NAV=X&LSTDOC=N#SECTION1
Enlargement and European diversity
With the meeting of Member State leaders in Rome this month, the EU has passed a
historic landmark. However, with enlargement, the EU can expect many future challenges,
not only in finding common political and cultural ground, but also in ways of dealing with the
many national, ethnic and religious differences between member states. So how can the
EU cement itself? This is the very question a group of experts are now trying to answer.
Outgoing Commission President Romano Prodi set up a special Reflection Group on the
Spiritual and Cultural Dimension of Europe. The group is led by Krzysztof Michalski of the
Institut für die Wissenschaften vom Menschen and brings together leading intellectuals and
thinkers from across the EU. The group identified four core issues in the process of
European integration: enlargement of the EU to include countries from the former Soviet
Union, religion and it’s role in a professedly secular Europe and Europe’s place in the
world. The report concludes on each of these issues and states that that EU adaptability is
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its greatest asset, with its capacity for constant change and renewal the most important
source of its success.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
Details on enlargement in the EC Research website at:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/headlines/news/article_04_11_12_en.html
Queen sheds light on EU Treaty referendum
During her annual speech to the British Parliament, the Queen confirmed that, subject to
referendum, a bill would be brought forward to ratify the EU treaty. Providing it is ratified
throughout the enlarged EU, the treaty is due to come into effect by November 1, 2006.
However, a number of polls have suggested that the UK general public are opposed to the
treaty and contrary to the government’s plans for a poll in early 2006, an earlier referendum
has been called for.
In particular, concern has been expressed over plans to create a full time president of the
European council, which has been compared to the creation of a ‘president of Europe’. In
addition, proposals for an EU minister for foreign affairs have been criticised by the
Conservative party (who have demanded an early referendum) who have claimed that this
would effectively give the EU the status of a federal super state.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
ePolitix website at: http://www.epolitix.com/EN/News/200411/cd0ad11b-080a-4a1e-81fc-
326b87e5fee7.htm
Commissioner for research calls for renewed commitment
The new Commissioner for Science and Research, Janez Potočnik has called for a
renewed commitment to research, innovation and education. Mr Potočnik deems added
commitment a necessity if the EU is to move closer toward meeting the goals of the Lisbon
agenda.
Mr Potočnik has also outlined a vision for a 'Knowledge for Growth Pact’, which is aimed at
ensuring appropriate conditions and incentives for gaining sufficient levels of funding for
research and development. Mr Potočnik state that the Pact would be organised around 'a
limited number of quantitative objectives’, cutting across a number of policy areas to
include research, education and industrial policies. Funding for these actions would come
from FP7 and the proposed new Framework Programme for Innovation (as described in the
Commissions recent financial perspectives). If we are to meet the Barcelona goal of
investing three per cent of GDP in research by 2010 then Mr Potočnik feels that 'Clearly
most of the research investment increase implied by Barcelona has to come from industry’
but that ‘we should not underestimate the vital role of increased public R&D investment’.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
The full text of Commissioner Potočniks speech is available from the EC Europa website
at:
http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=SPEECH/04/490&format=HT
ML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en
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Twenty years for the UK Research Councils in Brussels
2004 marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the UK Research Office (UKRO).
The Office was originally set up in 1984 by the Natural Environment Research Council
(NERC), and was known, at the time, as the Brussels Club. The Office was the first Office
of its kind to be established in Brussels. The other Research Councils joined in the support
of the Office shortly afterwards and the Office was then opened up to membership by
universities and other research organisations on a subscription basis. In 1990, the
Research Councils' Brussels Office merged with a Brussels-based British Council office to
become the UK Research and Higher Education European Office (UKRHEEO) finally, in
1998, becoming the UKRO of today.
To mark the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Office and the presence of the
Research Councils in Brussels, the Office held a reception in Brussels for the EC, EP and
other Brussels-based contacts. The Director-General of the Research Councils, Professor
Sir Keith O'Nions, the Director-General of DG Research, Dr Achilleas Mitsos and the Chief
Executive of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC),
Professor Julia Goodfellow gave speeches on the role of the Research Councils in Europe,
the future direction of European research policy and the work of UKRO. Professor
Goodfellow highlighted the work that UKRO has undertaken for the UK research
community, describing the Office as a ‘national resource’ and endorsing the work the Office
undertakes for the Research Councils and the research community in ensuring that both
are ‘aware of emerging EU policies and [helping to] work with the EC in order to deliver the
right programmes for Europe’. Dr Mitsos praised the work of UKRO in influencing the ‘EU
way of seeing things and the way we are designing the present and future’ research
policies and programmes. Sir Keith O'Nions underlined the work of the Office in assisting
UK researchers in participating in the Framework Programme.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
A brochure describing the work of the Research Councils in Europe is available for
download from the UKRO website at: www.ukro.ac.uk
Kok report: swift action required if EU is to meet Lisbon objectives
Facing the Challenge: The Lisbon strategy for growth and employment, a report from the
High Level Group chaired by Wim Kok, was released today. The report claims that the EU
is failing to meet its commitment toward becoming ' the most dynamic and competitive
knowledge-based economy' by 2010 and that swift actions need to be taken.
With respect to research, the Lisbon strategy called for: establishment of an area for
research and innovation, increased spend on R&D to 3 % GDP, technology promotion and
making Europe attractive for promising researchers. The report indicates that in order to
meet these objectives the EU should look at reducing administrative obstacles for
researchers moving to and around the EU, establishing a European Research Council to
fund and coordinate long-term basic research at European level and better follow up to the
eEurope 2005 action plan (which calls for measures to promote e-commerce, e-
government and e-learning).
FURTHER INFORMATION:
The full report is available from the EC website at:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/lisbon_strategy/pdf/2004-1866-EN-complet.pdf
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EC action plan on freedom, security and justice
At a European Council meeting, held on 4 and 5 November 2004, a new multi-annual
programme was adopted for the next five years, The Programme, which is to be known as
the ‘Hague Programme’, comes as a response to ambitions outlined in the treaty
establishing a constitution for the EU.
In recent years the EU has increased its role in securing police, customs and judicial
cooperation and in developing a coordinated policy with regard to asylum, immigration and
external border controls. This development will continue with the firmer establishment of a
common area of freedom, security and justice, with specific attention to growing issues of
European significance (including terrorism). The Council has therefore invited the
Commission to present an Action Plan in 2005, which should include concrete proposals
and a timetable for their adoption and implementation. The Action Plan will be reviewed at
yearly intervals.
EC Documents on the creation of the Action Plan, available at:
http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/justice_home/news/information_dossiers/2005-
2009/documents_en.htm
EURAB unhappy with lack of progress in social sciences and humanities
The EU Research Advisory Board (EURAB) has released a report in which it claims the
social sciences and humanities (SSH) are not being g given the attention they deserve
either in the remaining calls for FP6, or in discussions of FP7. EURAB also feels that the
SSH have been largely ignored in the Marimon report which evaluated the effectiveness of
the new instruments under FP6.
The paper states that 'more than ever, the focus seems solely to be on the natural
sciences, technological development and innovation’ and suggests that this may be due to
continuing efforts to meet the Lisbon and Barcelona goals of making Europe the most
competitive region in the world, and increasing research spending to three per cent of
GDP, respectively. It argues that 'Economic growth and improved competitiveness are not
ends in themselves and do not always (or automatically) lead to more and better jobs for all
citizens, improved quality of life and to social cohesion and stability in an enlarged EU,' and
that the SSH have key roles in addressing issues vital to the future development of Europe.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
The paper is available from the EC, CORDIS website at: http://dbs.cordis.lu/cgi-
bin/srchidadb?CALLER=NHP_EN_NEWS&ACTION=D&SESSION=&RCN=EN_RCN_ID:2
2858
EC to help children swallow those pills
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The EC has put forward suggestions for new legislation in the pharmaceutical industry.
The legislation is intended to encourage pharmaceutical companies to invest in the design
of children’s medication, since more than half the medicines currently used for treatment of
juvenile conditions were not specifically intended for this purpose.
Two main reasons exist for this problem, firstly that there is a definite lack of market
incentives for developing juvenile medication, and secondly that testing new drugs on
children is both risky and difficult. The ECs new regulation aims at encouraging drug
companies to invest more resources into juvenile medication research and therefore boost
the availability of such drugs. Acting Enterprise Commissioner Olli Rehn has held this
proposal up as ‘a good example of the Commission actively working to improve life for
European citizens’ and Brian Ager, director-general of the European Federation of
Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) has been quoted as saying ‘The
adoption of an EU legislative framework is an opportunity to improve public health and
strengthen Europe's science base’.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
EC Biosociety website
at:http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/biosociety/news_events/news_pharmaceuticals_reg
ulation_en.htm
Spanish stem cell research policy
Stem cells taken from human embryos could hold the answer to the treatment of many
diseases. However, use of cells taken from embryos is controversial and whilst countries
such as the UK and Sweden have expressed their support for stem cell research, others,
(such as Austria, Germany and Italy) have opposed such studies. These huge differences
in opinion resulted in an 18 month freeze on EU funded research in this area under the
Sixth Framework Programme expiring without agreement between Member States on how
to proceed.
However, the Spanish government has recently announced that Spain will also permit
human embryonic stem cell research. The research will take place in one of two centres of
research; the first in Catalonia, specialising in regenerative medicine, and the other in a
stem cell bank to be based in Granada and which will follow the example of the UK Stem
Cell Bank.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
EC Biosociety, news and events at:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/biosociety/news_events/news_genetics_regulation_en.
htm
EC information society strategy
The EC has recently published a communication focusing on the future of EU information
society strategy. In the report, the EC suggests that now is the time to evaluate the
achievements of its eEurope Action Plan and consider the challenges to be addressed in
the future together with policies for addressing them.
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The report indicates the importance of information and communication technologies (ICTs),
in particular with respect to achieving the Lisbon goals. Not only does the ICT sector
account for more than six per cent of employment in the EU, but new technologies within
this area are essential for improving general productivity and EU competitiveness. In
addition, ICTs have impacts in improving citizenship and quality of life in Europe.
However, whilst ICTs are of clear value to the EU, both economically and socially, there is
still much to be done if EU realisation of the potential of ICT is to be improved.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
EC information society website at:
http://europa.eu.int/information_society/eeurope/2005/index_en.htm
European Space Council
This month will see the first meeting of the European 'Space Council'. The meeting will be
held in Brussels and will comprise joint and concomitant meetings of the European Space
Agency (ESA) with EU Councils. Members of the Council will include ministers in charge of
space affairs, industry and research.
The meeting represents the first opportunity to jointly discuss the development of an overall
‘European Space Programme’ and is to be chaired (jointly) by Edelgard Buhlman, German
Minister for Education and Research (and Chairperson of the ESA Council) and Laurens-
Jan Brinkhorst, Dutch Minister for Economic Affairs (and current Chair of the EU
Competitiveness Council). The EC will be represented by Günther Verheugen, EC Vice-
President and Commissioner for Enterprise and Industry, and the ESA by Jean-Jacques
Dordain, ESA Director-General.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
Details on the EC European Space Policy website at:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/space/news/article_1701_en.html
EP vote on climate change
Through a positive vote for a resolution in climate change, the EP has made it clear that it
wants the EU to maintain its leading role in the negotiations in this area. This was the
message sent to the delegates due to take part at the Conference on Climate change
(COP-10) in Buenos Aires on the 6-17 December 2004. It was felt that COP-10 represents
good opportunity, both in building on decisions taken at previous events with respect to
implementation of the Kyoto Protocol, and in starting a wide-ranging debate on the main
issues for the second commitment period (of the Kyoto Protocol). The EU, and all other
parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) are
urged to continue the discussions with a view to including emissions from international
flights and shipping into the emission reduction targets of the second commitment period
from 2012.
MEPs also welcomed the recent decision of the Russian Federation to ratify the Kyoto
Protocol and it called on countries that have not ratified the Kyoto Protocol to do so as soon
as possible. The US Government is urged to reconsider its decision not to participate.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
7
Details on the Climate control conference on the EP website at:
http://www2.europarl.eu.int/omk/sipade2?PUBREF=-//EP//TEXT+PRESS+DN-20041117-
1+0+DOC+XML+V0//EN&L=EN&LEVEL=2&NAV=X&LSTDOC=N#SECTION9
Europe’s changing surface
The EU now has a digital map showing the multiple changes, which have occurred in
Europe's landscapes since 1990. The map will be of great use to policy-makers in helping
conclusions to be drawn as to the impact of areas such as agriculture and transport on our
land resources and environs. Development of the map, the Corine Land Cover (CLC) 2000
project (CLC2000) has involved nearly 300 experts from about 100 organisations across
Europe and cost around €13 million. It’s geographical breadth and detail is unmatched by
any other land cover information programme in the world and, whilst the project already
covers 30 countries, that number is expected to expand in 2005. Detail in CLC2000, which
is produced by the European Environment Agency (EEA) comes from IMAGE2000, a
satellite imaging programme undertaken together with the EC Joint Research Centre.
Aerial photos and near-ground imaging were also used.
There are a number of uses for CLC2000, including provision of support for protecting
ecosystems and trying to prevent the loss of biological diversity. CLC2000 can also
indicate where fragmentation of the landscape by roads and other infrastructure is
worsening and, in terms of agriculture, highlight where major structural changes such as
the conversion of pasture to arable are occurring.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
European Environment Agency website at:
http://org.eea.eu.int/documents/newsreleases/CLC2000-en
Innovation in Europe
Director-General of the EC Enterprise DG, Horst Reichenbach has recently spoken
about the state of innovation in the EU. He commented on EC ambition to improve
the way the 'innovative dimension' is considered in all other Community polices and
believes that distinctions should not be made between technological and non-
technological forms of innovation. Dr Reichenbach also highlighted that if it is to be
efficient, technological innovation must be accompanied by a revision of business
processes and organisational schemes.
However, whilst the EC proposes methods for encouragement of innovation, and
thus works with national governments to make innovation a possibility, it is the
companies themselves who must become increasingly innovative if they are to
compete in the current environment. Member states should pave the way for such
working by establishing the right framework conditions, and by ‘benchmarking
innovation performance at national levels and clearly identifying strengths and
weaknesses,' says Dr Reichenbach.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
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Details on the EC CORDIS website at: http://dbs.cordis.lu/fep-
cgi/srchidadb?CALLER=FP6_NEWS&ACTION=D&SESSION=&RCN=EN_RCN_ID:22924
RESEARCH NEWS
European space policy: Europe flies to the moon
This month saw the European Space Probe, SMART-1 make its first orbit around the
moon. Launched in September 2003, it has taken 13 months for SMART-1 to arrive at its
destination and the success of the technology required to develop and navigate the probe
has only now been fully ascertained with the first firing of its ion engine. The probe will now
fire continuously until captured by the moons gravity.
The European Space Agency (ESA) probe, SMART-1, uses solar-electric propulsion and
carries a range of instruments for determining the key elements in the moon surface.
SMART-1 will also be used to investigate whether the moon was formed after a collision of
Earth and a smaller planet billions of years ago. SMART-1 is the first spacecraft to use the
ESA and European industry developed three-layered triple-junction gallium-arsenide
(GaAs) solar cells and, once it has reached a stable elliptical orbit should range between
3000 and 300 km from the Moon's surface.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
EC European Space Policy website at:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/space/news/article_1690_en.html
Stellar survivor from 1572 AD explosion supports supernova theory
In 1572, the great Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe (and other astronomers of that era)
witnessed a titanic supernova explosion and recently, an international team of astronomers
announced that they have identified the probable surviving companion star to this event.
This discovery is important since it provides the first direct evidence supporting a long-held
belief that Type 1a supernovae originate in binary star systems that contain a normal star
and a burned-out white dwarf star and that the normal star spills material onto the dwarf
triggering an explosion. But until now, no previous evidence has pointed specifically to any
kind of companion star out of the many proposed.
This research was led by Pilar Ruiz-Lapuente of the University of Barcelona, Spain. Ruiz-
Lapuente highlights that through his teams studies, they have identified a clear path with
the feeding star similar to planet Earths sun. Type 1a supernovae, which are used to
measure the history of the expansion rate of the Universe, are fundamental in helping
astronomers understand the behaviour of dark energy, an unknown force responsible for
acceleration of the expansion of the universe, and confirming the theory as to how Type 1a
supernovae explode is critical in giving reliable calibration for measuring expansion of
space.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
EC CORDIS website at: http://dbs.cordis.lu/cordis-
9
cgi/srchidadb?ACTION=D&SESSION=137442004-11-
11&DOC=8&TBL=EN_RTDN&RCN=EN_RCN_ID:2508&CALLER=CORDISwire
A new generation in video watching
Video compression. The term may not mean much to most of us, but without it high-
definition TV, film recordings on DVD and video clips on a cell phone would be impossible
A team of researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Telecommunications HHI recently
made an important contribution to the performance of the new video compression
standards required for Digital Video Broadcasting, which is based on enhancing the quality
of transmitted images without requiring substantially greater bandwidth. Compression
programmes only re-save parts of an image, which change from frame to frame. All other
parts of the picture can be predicted from the previous frame. In further enhancement of
this technology. Thomas Wiegand, Detlev Marpe and Heiko Schwarz have designed a
prediction method which doesn’t merely rely on one previous frame, but uses a series of
preceding frames in combination with raised image accuracy.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
EC CORDIS website at: http://dbs.cordis.lu/cordis-
cgi/srchidadb?ACTION=D&SESSION=222592004-11-
11&DOC=3&TBL=EN_RTDN&RCN=EN_RCN_ID:2517&CALLER=CORDISwire
Can we blame our genes for making us fat?
Recent research supports theories that obesity has a genetic link. However, whilst some
obese people may partly blame their condition on their genes, this is now shown to be only
one factor in many.
Researchers from the Philipps University in Marburg, Germany, have shown that mutations
in the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) gene, which is involved in body weight regulation,
can have a substantial effect on body mass index. The researchers demonstrated that
between two and three per cent of obese patients had inherited the MC4R mutation and it
is suggested that it may be harder for these people to lose weight through ‘normal’
mechanisms such as diet and exercise. The researchers have also previously shown that
MC4R may play a role in maintaining body weight. However, whilst this research may send
a signal that if you have these genes then there is little point trying to lose weight, this is
misleading. The researchers have also shown that not all mutation carriers were obese,
results suggesting that carrying an altered MC4R gene does not always lead to obesity.
Although, the team also found that even non-obese mutation carriers tended to weigh more
than non-carriers.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
EC Biosociety website at:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/biosociety/news_events/news_genetics_health_en.htm
10
EDUCATION, TRAINING AND CULTURE
Bologna Process developments
The Commission recently held the First European seminar for Bologna Promoters (18 and
19 November, Brussels) The Bologna Promoters have the responsibility of advising on the
implementation of the Bologna Process. In conjunction with this meeting, the EC awarded
the first ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) label to the 11
institutions which have completed the introduction of ECTS in all degree programmes. The
label is awarded for three academic years and the ‘Label Holding’ Institutions will receive
funding to extend the use of ECTS to Lifelong Learning. The list of 11 Label Holding
Institutions has been published on the Commission website
The Bologna Process aims to establish a European Higher Education Area (EHEA) by
2010. The EHEA will mean that students can move more easily between institutions in
Europe and obtain recognition of their qualifications. There are currently 40 signatories to
the Bologna Process. The next Ministerial meeting will be held in Bergen on 19 20 May
2005.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
For details on the Bologna Process visit the Bologna Process website at:
http://www.bologna-bergen2005.no/.
For details on ECTS institutions visit the EC education and training programmes website at:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/education/programmes/socrates/ects/ectslabel.pdf or see the list
at: http://europa.eu.int/comm/education/programmes/socrates/ects/ectslabel.pdf
European Universities Association response to the EC communication on
future European research policy
The European University Association (EUA) has produced its response to the
Commissions recent communication, which is entitled ‘Science and Technology - the future
of European research policy’. The response builds on the EUA commitment to the ‘pivotal
research and research training role of European universities’ and to the promotion of the
university as a key actor ‘strategically placed at the interplay of RTD, educational and
regional development policies at both national and European level’. The response is
centred on 5 main objectives: support for basic research, research training and career
development issues, developing university infrastructure, strengthening university
cooperation at European level and the role of universities in contributing to regional
development.
The Commission published this communication (on the future of European research) in
June 2004 and, through this document, it provides an outline of its thoughts on the Seventh
Framework Programme 7. Amongst other objectives, the EC states that it would like to
see: creation of European centres of excellence, launch of European technological
initiatives, stimulation of the creativity of basic research through competition between
teams at European level and improved coordination of national research programmes.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
For full details see the response on the EUA website at:
http://www.eua.be/eua/jsp/en/upload/FP7_response_final_031104.1099500942476.pdf
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EXTERNAL COLLABORATION
EU and India Partnership
The EU has already established strategic partnerships with Canada, China, Japan, Russia
and the United States. India can now also be added to this list. A recent summit on EU-
India relevant topics saw the establishment (between the two partners) of a strategic
agreement featuring increased cooperation in areas such as technology, education and the
environment
With respect to education, India can expect special provisions under the Erasmus Mundus
student exchange programme, with 1000 Indian studentships to be offered for study in the
EU. In addition, both partners intend to organise an Environment Conference to exchange
as much knowledge and technology as possible in this area.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
EU, Europa newsletter at: http://europa.eu.int/newsletter/index_en.htm#india
ITER still has no home
The latest in a series of meetings aimed at reaching a compromise on the location of the
International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) ended without agreement this
month. ITER is an experimental fusion reactor based on the ‘tokamak’ concept - a toroidal
(doughnut-shaped) magnetic configuration which creates and maintain the conditions for
controlled fusion reactions. Although the fusion reactor is to be the second largest
international research project after the international space station, building the reactor has
been significantly delayed by a division between the six project partners on whether the
reactor should be built in Japan or France.
Although, according to a common message released after the Vienna meeting, the talks
ended in positive light, there has since been speculation that the EU could break away from
the partners hostile to its bid to host the reactor, and go it alone with the assistance of other
interested countries. However, no official statements have yet been made to this effect and
we await discussion at the EU Competitiveness Council.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
ITER website at: http://www.iter.org/
Continued efforts to promote EU-Russia economic ties through industry
The EU-Russia Industrialists’ Round Table (IRT), which develops recommendations to
Russia and the EC on trade and regulatory barriers, has recently adopted a set of joint
conclusions and recommendations for implementation of the plan to create a Common
Economic Space with Russia. The Round Table also adopted specific conclusions in the
areas of Energy, Information and Communication Technologies, Transports and Forestry.
12
Olli Rehn, European Commissioner for Enterprise presented some of the new initiatives to
be developed jointly with Russia under the Common Economic Space plan. He also
highlighted and an agreement to launch dialogue on the regulation of industrial products,
the information society and industrial and enterprise policy. The dialogue on enterprise
policy in particular will be focused on measures to improve administrative and legal
environments for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
FURTHER INFORMATION:
EC Enterprise and Industry website at:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/enterprise_policy/business_dialogues/russia/russiaov
erview.htm
Swiss/British cooperation
This month saw UK Chief Scientific Advisor, Professor Sir David King and Switzerland
representative Dr Charles Kleiber, sign a strategy paper for cooperation in science and
technology. The paper outlines UK and Swiss governments desires to optimise networking
between British and Swiss businesses and researchers. The paper is also designed to
promote collaboration and encourage trade, investment and commercial partnering.
The strategy sets out a number of mechanisms for achieving such objectives including
organising bilateral events and networking activities in specific areas (e.g. science policy
and nanotechnologies). 2005 will therefore see a top level British/Swiss biotechnology
conference in London and UK presence at a Swiss health and safety in nanotechnology
debate. There will also be a seminar event on climate change.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
None.
EVENTS and AWARDS
Research Ethics Committees in Europe conference
The enlarged EU has varying systems of Research Ethics Committees, and bodies with
methods of operation, varying widely within each country and from country to country.
Efforts are therefore required to promote pan-European dialogue, awareness of issues,
networking of researchers, regulators and ethicists and more effective ethical evaluation of
research at local, national, European and international levels
To address these issues, the EC is hosting a conference of European Research Ethics
Committees. The Conference is to be held on the 27 and 28 January 2005 in Brussels and
the EC invites representatives of local or regional ethics committees in Europe to attend.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
The EC Europa website at:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/conferences/2005/recs/index_en.htm
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Marie Curie Excellence Awards
The Commission recently announced the 5 winners of this years Marie Curie. The prize
winners who are from Germany, Italy and Israel each received a prize of €50 thousand for
breakthroughs in areas such as the creation of galaxies, the roots of human empathy,
quantum physics, new catalysts and the science of materials.
This is the second year of Marie Curie Awards, which are funded under the FP6 Human
Resources and Mobility Work Programme. The Marie Curie Awards are aimed at
recognising the outstanding achievements of researchers who have already benefited from
a Marie Curie fellowship. Candidates can propose themselves or may be proposed by
others. The next deadline is 15 February 2005.
FURTHER INFORMATOIN
EC Marie Curie Actions website at: http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/fp6/mariecurie-
actions/action/excellence_en.html
2004 Descartes Prize
The EC has announced the final 8 projects to participate in the final of the 2004 Descartes
prize for outstanding scientific and technological achievements based on collaborative
research. The final is to be held on 1 - 2 December in Prague and the short listed projects
include three studies in the area of medical research, two projects in the field of
engineering and nanotechnologies and three projects in information and communication
technologies. This year also sees the introduction of a new Descartes Prize for Science
Communication. The winner of which will also be announced on 2 December.
The Descartes prize was established in 2000 to raise the profile of scientific and
technological achievements based on collaborative research. Many of the projects
selected are the result of long-term co-operation with a broad network of research partners
across Europe and in third countries.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
Details are on the EC CORDIS website at: http://www.cordis.lu/science-
society/descartes/home.html
Young Scientists receive Life sciences awards
The Hugo Geiger Prize has recently been awarded to three junior scientists for their thesis
papers. The prize, instituted five years ago by the Bavarian government, is awarded for
outstanding, application-oriented doctoral theses or dissertations in the field of life sciences
and the papers are selected on the basis of a number of criteria including scientific quality,
industrial or economic relevance, novelty, and an interdisciplinary approach.
The third prize was awarded to Michaela Harz who has developed a surface plasmon
resonance (SPR) sensor for the parallel detection of multiple biochemical samples.
The second prize went to Jochen Schwenk for his study into new approaches for the
identification of potential virulence factors in Candida albicans, a fungus which can cause
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life-threatening infections in patients with a weak immune system. The first prize was
awarded to Frank Meinecke, who’s research dealt with the separation of neural signals.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
Details on the EC CORDIS website at: http://dbs.cordis.lu/cordis-
cgi/srchidadb?ACTION=D&SESSION=222592004-11-
11&DOC=2&TBL=EN_RTDN&RCN=EN_RCN_ID:2518&CALLER=CORDISwire
NEW PUBLICATIONS and ONLINE RESOURCES
New Website: European Commissioner for Science and Research
The EC has recently published a website with information on European Commissioner for
Science and Research Mr Janez Potočnik. The website offers information on Mr Potočnik's
role as a Commissioner and his priorities for the future of science and research in the EU.
The website also gives insight into Mr Potočnik's career to date.
FURTHER INFORMATION:
EC Europa website at:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/commission_barroso/potocnik/indexfl_en.htm
EC launches handbook on integration of immigrants
On 10 November (at a Dutch Presidency conference) the EC presented a new handbook
on integration to ministers from the Member States. The Handbook is the result of close
collaboration between an independent expert and a network of European contact points,
bringing together best practice and lessons learned from across the EU 25 Member States.
The publication is the first of its kind and focuses on introduction courses for immigrants
and recognised refugees, civic participation issues and indicators. The catalogue of best
practice also includes recommendations based on example projects and policies put in
place at all levels from local to national scale. The first edition is due to be updated in the
future with a second version scheduled for 2006.
EC Handbook, available at:
http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/justice_home/doc_centre/immigration/integration/doc_immi
gration_integration_en.htm#handbook
Launch of NORFACE
NORFACE, a partnership between seven EU research councils aims to enhance co-
operation in research and research policy in Europe. NORFACE receives core funding from
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the EC sixth Framework Programme, under the ERA-NET scheme, and includes research
councils for the social sciences from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Norway, Sweden
and the United Kingdom.
NORFACE have recently launched a website which will be used to publish all official
NORFACE communications, including any future joint calls for funding proposals. The
public part of the NORFACE website aims at a wide target group including the following:
national research funding organisations, European and international social science
research funders, the science research community, the EC, national and European
political decision makers and science policy actors and the media. The site included
general information on NORFACE, specific information about its activities and opportunities
to participate in them, presentations of the partner organization and an events calendar and
news section. Interested partied should subscribe to the service directly via its website
FURTHER INFORMATION
NORFACE website at: http://www.norface.org/norface/publisher/index.jsp
CORDIS
CORDIS is the Community Research and Development Information Service. It is a web-
based service, which provides information on EU R&D programmes and related issues.
URL: http://www.cordis.lu
IGLO Project Search
The IGLO Project Service offers a forum for publishing and disseminating details of
proposed FP6 project and/or research skills offered. Using the service will enable
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 the Treaties
and recent copies of the Official Journal of the European Communities (OJ). The OJ,
published daily in eleven 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 forty-five days following publication. (The OJ issue with the
Euro exchange rates (L 359, 31/12/1998) is permanently available in PDF format in EUR-
Lex).
URL: EUR-LEX http://www.europa.eu.int/eur-lex/en/index.html
Official Journal C & L http://www.europa.eu.int/eur-lex/en/oj/index.html
Treaty of Amsterdam http://www.europa.eu.int/eur-lex/en/treaties/index.html
EUROPA
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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.int/index-en.htm
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://www.europa.eu.int/rapid/start/cgi/guesten.ksh
GLOSSARY
A&S Aeronautics and Space Priority (FP6)
http://www.cordis.lu/fp6/activities.htm
C&G Citizens and Governance Priority (FP6)
http://www.cordis.lu/fp6/activities.htm
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.netmaniacs.com/cost
'Council' 'Council' refers to the 'Council of Ministers', the principle
decision-making body within the European Union. It has both
executive and legislative powers, the latter in some cases
exercised jointly with the European Parliament (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.
http://ue.eu.int/en/summ.htm
Culture 2000 First European Community Framework Programme in support of
culture, which runs from 2000/04 (inclusive).
http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/culture/index_en.html
EC The European Commission - made up of 20 Commissioners
nominated by the Member States - both initiates proposals for
EU legislation and executes EU policies and actions.
http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/index_en.htm
eEurope eEurope
A political initiative of the EC to allow Europe to benefit fully from
the Information Society.
http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/information_society/eeurope/d
ocumentation/index_en.htm
EP The European Parliament - which is made up of elected
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representatives (MEPs) from all the Member States. It shares
decision-making power with the Council in a number of areas
including research and education.
http://www.europarl.eu.int/sg/tree/en/default.htm
ERA European Research Area. On 18 January 2000, the EC issued
a Communication entitled "Towards a European Research
Area" which proposed ways in which research in Europe could
be more effectively organised and co-ordinated.
http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/research/area.html
ESC 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://www.ces.eu.int
Press Releases:
http://www.ces.eu.int/en/acs/fr_acs_press_rels.htm
ESF European Science Foundation.
http://www.esf.org
ESF The European Social Fund
http://europa.eu.int/comm/dg05/esf/en/index.htm
Eureka Eureka is a Europe-wide network for Industrial Research and
Development.
http://www3.eureka.be/Home
FQS Food Quality and Safety Priority (FP6)
http://www.cordis.lu/fp6/activities.htm
FP (FP5, FP6, The EU Framework Programme for Research and Technological
FP7) Development. The Fifth Framework Programme (FP5) was
adopted in 1998 and ran until 2002, with FP6 superseding until
2006, with discussions underway on FP7 beyond 2006.
Further information on the thematic and horizontal programme
composition of FP6 is available at
http://fp6.cordis.lu/fp6/home.cfm
GBH Genomics and Biotechnology for Health Priority (FP6)
http://www.cordis.lu/fp6/activities.htm
Green Paper Green Papers are communications published by the European
Commission 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.
ITRE The European Parliament Committee on Industry, External
Trade, Research and Energy (FP5)
http://www.europarl.eu.int/committees/en/default.htm
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INTAS International Association for the promotion of co-operation with
scientists from the New Independent States of the former
Soviet Union.
http://www.intas.be/mainfs.htm
IST Information Society Technologies Priority (FP6)
http://www.cordis.lu/fp6/activities.htm
JRC The EC’s Joint Research Centre acting as a scientific and
technological laboratory in support of EU policies, with a range
of institutes and research activities.
http://www.jrc.cec.eu.int
MEDIA The MEDIA Plus Programme (2001–05) is to be introduced as
a follow-up to the Media II programme, which ended in
December 2000. The programme aims to strengthen the
competitiveness of the European audiovisual industry.
Http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/dg10/avpolicy/media/index_en.
html
Mobility Human Resources and Mobility Programme (FP6)
http://www.cordis.lu/fp6/activities.htm
NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organisation
http://www.nato.int/
NMP Nanotechnology, Materials and Production Priority (FP6)
http://www.cordis.lu/fp6/activities.htm
PHARE The Phare Programme is the European Union's instrument for
financial and technical co-operation with the countries of
central and eastern Europe.
http://europa.eu.int/comm/enlargement/pas/phare/index.htm
RTD Research and Technological Development
SDGC Sustainable Development and Global Change Priority (FP6)
http://www.cordis.lu/fp6/activities.htm
TACIS The Tacis Programme aims to forge closer economic and
political links with the former republics of the Soviet Union and
Mongolia (also known as New Independent States (NIS))
http://europa.eu.int/comm/dg1a/tacis/index.htm
Treaty of The Treaty of Amsterdam was signed in October 1997 and
Amsterdam entered into force on 1 May 1999.
http://www.europa.eu.int/eur-lex/en/treaties/index.html
UUK Universities UK
(formerly the Committee of Vice Chancellors and Principals)
http://www.universitiesuk.ac.uk
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White Paper White Papers are documents containing proposals for
Community action in a specific area. They often follow a Green
Paper.
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for the British Council.
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Telephone +32 2 230 5275 / 1535
Fax +32 2 230 4803
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