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General European Highlights


EuCheMS Workshop: Integrating CO2 in the Value Chain
This workshop, which took place on the 3 March 2015 at the European Economic and Social Committee in Brussels, explored the ecological and economic possibilities of integrating CO2 in the value chain. The Workshop was co-organised with the European Parliament Intergroup on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainable Development. The presentations can be found here.
Source: www.euchems.eu/
 
EuCheMS Reinforces its Presence in Regulatory Bodies
EuCheMS has recently nominated new experts to integrate several Partner Expert Groups (PEGs) at ECHA, the European Chemicals Agency which is in charge of REACH implementation. EuCheMS´ experts currently integrate PEGs such as the one on guidance on the Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulation, and on the guidance on Biocidal Products Regulation.
When ECHA identifies a need for updating existing guidance or for developing new guidance, it prepares a corresponding draft document and initiates a consultation procedure where PEGs take a relevant role.
Source: www.euchems.eu  
 
EuCheMS at Expo 2015
EuCheMS will be present at Expo 2015 in Milan. Under the theme, “Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life”, Expo 2015 will be an amazing opportunity to exchange ideas between scientists, young researchers and the general public, and to raise awareness to the importance of chemical sciences in society. With these objectives in mind, EuCheMS and the Consiglio Nazionale dei Chimici will present a series of talks. Make sure you do not miss next month´s Brussels News Updates to know our first speaker, Prof. Bert Weckhuysen, Utrecht University, who will deliver his lecture “Circular Economy? - Catalysis for the Production of Biomass-Based Building Blocks” on the 11 May.
Source: www.euchems.eu
 
 Commission Supports EU Member States Reform Their Research and Innovation Systems
The European Commission has launched a new Policy Support Facility (PSF) on reforming research and innovation policies in EU. Such reforms are a priority for EU economic policy as highly performing research and innovation systems can kick-start renewed growth and job creation.
The PSF aims to give EU Member State governments practical support to identify, implement and evaluate those reforms needed to enhance the quality of their public funding, such as opening up public funding to competition and introducing performance assessments of universities, or stimulating cooperation between academia and business.
Source: http://ec.europa.eu/research/
 
Environment Committee Backs Switchover to Advanced Biofuels
A draft law to limit the production of traditional biofuels and accelerate the shift to alternative sources, such as seaweed and waste, was approved by the European Parliament´s Environment Committee in February. The draft law aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that result from the growing use of agricultural land to produce biofuel crops.
Source: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/
 
ERC Backs Additional 47 Top Researchers in 2014 Starting Grant Call
In addition to 328 early-career scientists awarded ERC Starting Grants in December 2014, the European Research Council has now announced another 47 winners as part of this
2014 call. They will receive funding, worth up to €2 million per project, to build their own research teams and pursue their best ideas at the frontiers of knowledge.
Source: http://erc.europa.eu/
 
European Parliament Questioned Commission on Delays in Tackling Hormone-Disrupting Chemicals
Members of the European Parliament have questioned health Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis about Commission delays in presenting technical legislation on endocrine disruptors.
In a resolution voted in March 2013, MEPs urged the EU to act to reduce exposure to certain chemicals, which research links health problems. The Council of Ministers decided last month to back Sweden in taking the European Commission to the Court of Justice for failure to act over endocrine disruptors that can be found in products ranging from pesticides to toys, medical devices and cosmetics.
Sources: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/, http://www.europarl.europa.eu/ep-live/en/plenary/video?debate=1425931716070&streamingLanguage=en
 
EU Sets Out Vision for Paris Agreement alongside Energy Union Strategy
The European Commission has set out the EU's vision for the new global climate change agreement due to be adopted in Paris in December. The Communication, "The Paris Protocol - a blueprint for tackling global climate change beyond 2020”, is part of the EU’s Energy Union package unveiled by the Commission.
Source: http://ec.europa.eu/clima/
 
How Will Research and Innovation Contribute to the Energy Union’s Agenda?
The European Commission has recently started the work of the Energy Union, a fundamental step towards the completion of single energy market and sustainably reforming how Europe produces, transports and consumes energy, with a special focus on climate change. In this context, energy research and innovation, where chemistry plays a fundamental role, will be a key building block of the emerging Energy Union.
A vital contribution to the objectives of the Energy Union will come from the implementation of Horizon 2020 Energy Theme, which will play a significant in developing the secure, clean and efficient energy technologies of tomorrow.
Sources: http://europa.eu/, http://europa.eu/
 
European Environment – State and Outlook
European Environment Agency has published its five-yearly assessment 'The European environment – state and outlook 2015' (SOER 2015). SOER 2015 is an integrated assessment of Europe's environment. It also includes assessments and data at global, regional and country levels, as well as cross-country comparisons.
According to SOER 2015, Europe's environment and climate policies have delivered substantial benefits, improving the environment and quality of life, while driving innovation, job creation and growth. Despite these gains, Europe still faces a range of persistent and growing environmental challenges. Addressing them will require fundamental changes in the systems of production and consumption that are the root cause of environmental problems.
Source : http://www.eea.europa.eu/
 
Call for Energy Days 2015 Ideas Is Now Open
From open-door days and exhibitions to workshops and many more ideas, you could organise an event to promote sustainable energy as part of the EU Sustainable Energy Week.
EU Sustainable Energy Week will bring together public authorities, energy agencies, research organisations, NGOs, businesses, and private consumers to share best practices and inspire ideas on secure, clean and efficient energy.
Sources: https://ec.europa.eu/energy/; http://ec.europa.eu/energy/
 
EU Launches the Third Edition of the Women Innovators Prize
The European Commission has launched the third edition of the EU Prize for Women Innovators to reward three women who have achieved outstanding innovations and brought them to market. The prize aims to raise awareness of the need for more female entrepreneurs and to inspire other women to follow in their footsteps. The first prize is worth €100 000, the second prize €50 000 and third prize €30 000.
Source: http://ec.europa.eu/research/

Funding Updates and Awards


Climate Launchpad 2015
Deadline: varies from country to country
Website: http://climatelaunchpad.org/
 
Capacity Building in the Field of Youth - 2015 - Round 1 - EAC/A04/2014
Deadline: 3 April 2015
Website: https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/erasmus-plus/
 
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Research and Innovation Staff Exchange (RISE) - H2020-MSCA-RISE-2015
Deadline: 28 April 2015
Website: http://ec.europa.eu/research/
 
Erasmus Charter for Higher Education 2014-2020 - EACEA/10/2015
Deadline: 30 April 2015
Website: https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/erasmus-plus/
 
Call for Competitive Low-Carbon Energy - H2020-LCE-2014-2015
Deadline: 5 May 2015
Website: http://ec.europa.eu/research/
 
Call for Proposals for ERC Advanced Grant 2015 - ERC-2015-AdG
Deadline: 2 June 2015
Website: http://ec.europa.eu/research/

Consultations and Roadmaps

 
Public consultation on the active substance Bacillus amyloliquefaciens MBI600
The European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) has published a public consultation on the active substance Bacillus amyloliquefaciens MBI600. EFSA will assess and publish all comments from interested parties.
Deadline: 19 April 2015
Website: http://www.efsa.europa.eu/
 
 
Consultation on the ex-post evaluation of the 7th Framework Programme
In order to provide the High Level Expert Group conducting the ex-post evaluation of 7th Framework Programme (FP7) with a range of opinion and views about the functioning, achievements, and impacts of FP7, this interactive consultation has been set up to allow for contributions both from those with direct experience with the FP7, as well as groups or individuals who wish to give their views. The results of this consultation will be made publicly available and will be taken into account in the Commission Communication reacting to the Evaluation Report of the High Level Expert Group.
Deadline : 22 May 2015
Website: http://ec.europa.eu/research/

Business Updates


Technology Transfer - Paving the Way for Advanced Manufacturing
How technology transfer activities can help EU industry and manufacturing SMEs to adopt advanced and clean manufacturing technologies was the main question of the workshop Smart Specialisation: From Research Strategies into Concrete Actions, which took place on the 25th February in Brussels.
The presenters underlined the need for operational and organisational changes, where human factors, skills and internal cultural change need to be taken into account. Participants worked on a number of policy recommendations on how synergies among existing technology transfer mechanisms at EU, national and regional levels can be further exploited and supported in the future.
Source: https://ec.europa.eu/jrc/

Start-up Procedures: Progress Made by EU Countries in 2014
For those who are thinking about translating their research results into business ideas, you can now check the European Commission update on progress made by EU countries in 2014 as regards their commitment to simplify start-up procedures. 
In 2014 average time and cost to start-up a private limited company was 3.5 days and cost was €313 but the time and registration costs to start a new business range from 1 day to 10 days and from €0 to €2000.
Source: http://ec.europa.eu/growth/

Upcoming EuCheMS Recognised Events


Bunsentagung 2015
14 - 16 May 2015
Bochum, Germany
Website: http://www.bunsen.de/bunsentagung2015
 
Energy Science Technology Conference 2015
20 - 22 May 2015
Karlsruhe, Germany
Website: http://www.est-conference.com/
 
6th European Conference on Chemistry for Life Sciences
10 – 12 June 2015
Lisbon, Portugal
Website: http://6eccls.eventos.chemistry.pt/
 
XL Edition of the "Attilio Corbella" International Summer School on Organic Synthesis
14 – 18 June 2015
Gargnano, Italy
Website: http://www.corbellasummerschool.unimi.it/
 
VIII International School on Organometallic Chemistry Marcial Moreno Mañas
15 - 17 June 2015
Seville, Spain
Website: http://school2015.orfeo-cinqa.es/
 
CoCoTea 2015
22 - 24 June 2015
Aveiro, Portugal
Website: http://www.cocotea2015.com/
 
31st Conference of the International Society of Chemical Ecology (ISCE2015)
29 June – 3 July 2015
Stockholm, Sweden
Website­­: http://www.isce2015.com/
 

EuCheMS-CNC @ Expo 2015

First Talk: 11 May 2015
Milan, Italy
Website: http://www.euchems.eu/
 

Energy Science Technology 2015

20 - 22 May 2015
Karlsruhe, Germany
Website: http://www.est-conference.com/
 

(Re)searching for Jobs

2 June 2015
Brussels, Belgium
Website: www.euchems.eu
 

6th EuCheMS Chemistry Congress

11 - 15 September 2016
Seville, Spain
Website: http://euchems-seville2016.eu/

Forthcoming Events


Smart Specialisation Strategies
17 March
Brussels, Belgium
Website: http://europa.eu/
 
EU leading on Renewable Energy Policy
17 March 2015
Brussels, Belgium
Website: http://europa.eu/
 
The Role of Patents – Innovation in the European Digital Single Market
17 March
Brussels, Belgium
Website: https://ec.europa.eu/jrc/
 
Evidence-Based Policy-Making for Innovation and Resource-Efficiency
18 March 2015
Brussels Belgium
Website: http://ec.europa.eu/research/
 
New Perspectives in Science Education
20-21 March 2015
Florence, Italy
Website: http://ec.europa.eu/research/
 
Horizon2020: New Commission, New Agenda
24 March 2015
Brussels, Belgium
Website: http://ec.europa.eu/research/

EuCheMS Newsletter May Issue

Do not miss the upcoming issue of EuCheMS Newsletter featuring articles on the public positions recently taken by EuCheMS, on EuCheMS-ECTN stronger cooperation, on the employability of chemists, and much more!
Coming soon here.

 
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Produced for EuCheMS by Nineta H. Majcen.
The information given by EuCheMS in this EuCheMS Brussels News Update has been carefully formulated but is necessarily based on information available and consequently EuCheMS does not accept responsibility if it is in any way inaccurate or incomplete. In this respect EuCheMS does not accept any duty of care and will not be liable for any losses or damages arising from inaccurate or incomplete information. EuCheMS acknowledges that a disclaimer cannot restrict liability at law for personal injury or death arising through a finding of negligence.
Compilation Copyright © 2015 EuCheMS

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