Category Archives: Business, Education and Law

COMING SOON: H2020-INNOSUP-2016 enhancing SME innovation capacity by providing better innovation support

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The European Commission Horizon 2020, under its Innovation in SMEs programme, will shortly be inviting proposals for its H2020-INNOSUP-2016 enhancing SME innovation capacity by providing better innovation support call. More information will be released in the third quarter of 2015. The following information, including which topics may be addressed in this call, are subject to change.

Proposals may address the following topics:

•INNOSUP-1-2016 capacity building support and exchange on good practices of the national contact points for SMEs and access to risk finance under H2020;

•INNOSUP-X-2016 SME innovation detachment/fellowship;

•INNOSUP-X-2016 services to accelerate the uptake of advanced manufacturing technologies;

•INNOSUP-X-2016 SMEs for social innovation – challenge platform;

•INNOSUP-X-2016 innovating SMEs – segmentation along lifecycle and sectors;

•INNOSUP-X-2016 cluster animated projects for new industrial value chains;

•INNOSUP-X-2016 peer learning for innovation agencies.

Proposals must take the form of coordination and support actions, research actions or innovation actions, depending on the topic addressed.

Research actions and innovation actions require participation by at least three legal entities, each established in a different EU member state or associated country.

Coordination and support actions require at least one legal entity established in a member state or associated country. All H2020 funding calls allow third country partners who secure their own funding to participate in consortia.

 

http://ec.europa.eu/programmes/horizon2020/en/h2020-section/innovation-smes

 

COMING SOON: H2020-EEB-2016 energy efficient buildings

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The European Commission Horizon 2020 Industrial Leadership will shortly be inviting proposals, under the leadership in enabling and industrial technologies – nanotechnologies, advanced materials, advanced manufacturing and processing, and biotechnology work programme, for its energy efficient buildings call.

The call is expected to open on 1 October 2015 and the anticipated closing date is 21 January 2016.

The following information, including the topics may be addressed in this call, may be subject to change.

Proposals may address the following topics:

•EEB 01-2016 highly efficient insulation materials with improved properties;

•EEB 02-2016 performance indicators and monitoring techniques for energy-efficiency and environmental quality at building and district level;

•EEB 03-2016 integration of advanced technologies for heating and cooling at building and district level;

•EEB 04-2016 new technologies and strategies for the development of pre-fabricated elements through the reuse and recycling of construction materials and structures.

Proposals must take the form of research and innovation actions, innovation actions or coordination and support actions depending on the topic addressed.

Research and innovation actions and innovation actions require participation by at least three legal entities, each established in a different EU member state or associated country. Coordination and support actions require at least one legal entity established in a member state or associated country.

All H2020 funding calls allow third country partners who secure their own funding to participate in consortia.

http://ec.europa.eu/programmes/horizon2020/en/h2020-section/nanotechnologies-advanced-materials-advanced-manufacturing-and-processing-and

Closing date 21 Jan 16

The indicative budget for this call is €49 million.

 

COMING SOON: SME instrument common call – phase one

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The European Commission Horizon 2020, under its Innovation in SMEs programme, will be seeking proposals for its SME instrument common call – phase one.

More information will become available in the third quarter of 2015. The following information, including which the topics addressed in this call, may be subject to change.

In phase one, funding is available for a feasibility study, in to verify the technological and practical, as well as economic, viability of an innovation idea or concept which has considerable novelty to the relevant industry sector.

Proposals can address the following topics:

•leadership in enabling and industrial technologies, including

H2020-SMEinst-81-2016-2017-ICT open disruptive innovation scheme,

H2020-SMEinst-82-2016-2017-NMBP accelerating the uptake of nanotechnologies advanced materials or advanced manufacturing and processing technologies by SMEs,

H2020-SMEinst-83-2016-2017-NMBP dedicated support to biotechnology SMEs closing the gap from lab to market,

H2020-SMEinst-84-2016-2017-BIOTEC SME boosting biotechnology-based industrial processes driving competitiveness and sustainability and

H2020-SMEinst-84-2016-2017-SME-SPACE engaging SMEs in space research and development;

•Health, demographic change and wellbeing, including

H2020-SMEinst-11-2016-2017-PHC clinical research for the validation of biomarkers or diagnostic medical devices;

•Food security, sustainable agriculture and forestry, marine and maritime and inland water research and the bioeconomy, including

H2020-SMEinst21-2016-2017-SFS resource-efficient eco-innovative food production and processing,

H2020-SMEinst-22-2016-2017- advancing innovations in integrated pest management – a role for SMEs,

H2020-SMEinst-23-2016-2017- creating added value from waste and by-products generated on farm and along the value-chain,

H2020-SMEinst-24-2016-2017-BE intelligent solutions and tools in forest production systems, fostering sustainable supply of quality wood for the growing bio-economy,

H2020-SMEinst-25-2016-2017-BG supporting SMEs efforts for the development- deployment and market replication of innovative solutions for blue growth;

•Secure, clean and efficient energy, including

H2020-SMEinst-31-2016-2017-SIE stimulating the innovation potential of SMEs for a low carbon and efficient energy system;

•Smart, green and integrated transport, including

H2020-SMEinst-41-2016-2017-IT small business innovation research for transport;

•Climate action, environment, resource efficiency and raw materials, including

H2020-SMEinst-51-2016-2017-SC5 achieving a resource-efficient and climate change resilient economy and a sustainable supply of raw materials;

•Europe in a changing world – inclusive, innovative and reflective societies, including

H2020-SMEinst-61-2016-2017-INSO innovative mobile e-government applications by SMEs,

H2020-SMEinst-62-2016-2017-INSO SME business model innovation;

•Secure societies – protecting freedom and security of Europe and its citizens, including

H2020-SMEinst-71-2016-2017-DRS protection of urban soft targets and urban critical infrastructure and

H2020-SMEinst-72-2016-2017 protection of urban soft targets and urban critical infrastructure.

Actions require at least one SME. Only applications from for-profit SMEs established in EU member states or countries associated to Horizon 2020 are eligible. All H2020 funding calls allow third country partners who secure their own funding to participate in consortia.

http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/portal/desktop/en/funding/index.html

Closing date 02 Mar 16

Leverhulme – Research Fellowships

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Offering up to £50,000 over three to twenty-four months for experienced researchers to conduct a programme of research in any discipline. Research Fellowships are open to experienced researchers, particularly those who are or have been prevented by routine duties from completing a programme of original research. Awards are not limited to those holding appointments in higher education.

Value

The maximum value of a Fellowship is £50,000. The awards provide research expenses over and above normal living costs and/or provide a contribution towards reasonable replacement costs or loss of earnings.

Duration

Fellowships are tenable for between 3 and 24 months, and the current round of awards must commence between 1 June 2016 and 1 May 2017.

The 2016 round opens on 1 September 2015. The closing date for applications is 12 November 2015 at 4pm.

Eligibility and application information

Contacts

Anna Grundy (020 7042 9861), Bridget Kerr (020 7042 9862) or Andreas Heiner (020 7042 9863)

Leverhulme Trust – International Networks

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Up to £125,000 over up to three years to allow a UK-based researcher to build a new collaborative research project with overseas institutions. First-stage outline applications can be submitted at any time.These collaborations enable a Principal Investigator based in the UK to lead a research project where its successful completion is dependent on the participation of relevant overseas institutions.A significant research theme must be identified at the outset which requires for its successful treatment international collaboration between one or more UK universities, and two or more overseas institutions (up to a maximum of seven institutions in total). Networks must be newly constituted collaborations. Applicants should provide an explicit statement as to why a network is the most appropriate format for addressing the chosen research theme.

Full justification should be given for the involvement of all participants, with each participant bringing specific – and stated – expertise which can directly contribute to the success of the project. Details of the proposed methodology for the research project should be provided at the outset, as well as a clear indication of the anticipated outcomes (publications, websites), and of the dissemination strategy to be adopted.

Value and Duration

Awards are normally made up to £125,000, although requests for higher amounts will be considered if an appropriate case can be made. Grants are made for periods of no more than three years.

Eligible research areas

The following guidelines are drawn to the attention of potential applicants:

  • The trust does not fund studies of disease, illness and disabilities in humans and animals, or research that is intended to inform clinical practice or the development of medical applications.
  • The Trust does not fund policy-driven research where the principal objective is to assemble an evidence base for immediate policy initiatives.
  • The Trust will not fund applications for research of which advocacy forms an explicit component.
  • The Trust does not support research which is aimed principally at an immediate commercial application.
  • The Trust will not fund applications in which the balance between assembling a data bank or database and the related subsequent research is heavily inclined to the former.
  • The Trust does not fund applications in which the main focus is on capacity building, networking, or the development of the skills of those involved.

If you are uncertain about eligibility, telephone or email the Trust before submitting an application.

The Trust’s approach to grant-making

Specific attention is paid to the reasons given by applicants in justifying their choice of the Trust as the most appropriate agency for the support of their project. Applicants are therefore strongly advised to consult the statement on the Leverhulme Trust’s approach to grant-making.

Costs, eligibility and application information

There are no deadlines for Outline Applications, and their assessment is normally completed within three months

  • An invitation to progress to the second stage – preparation of a Detailed Application – will be sent to those whose Outline Application has been approved.

Contact

Nicola Thorp (020 7042 9872)

Winston Churchill memorial trust: Travelling fellowships

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The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust invites applications for its travelling fellowships. These enable British citizens to travel overseas in order to bring back knowledge and best practice for the benefit of others in UK professions and communities. Applications are invited in the following areas of research:

•crafts and makers;

•designers;

•early years prevention and intervention;

•education;

•environment, sustainable living and horticulture;

•medicine, health and patient care;

•mental health;

•new approaches to housing;

•science, technology and innovation;

•young people;

•open category.

Applicants must be British citizens, resident in the UK and at least 18 years old by the end of the year.

Grants usually support travel for four to eight weeks and cover economy return flights to the UK, internal travel in the destination countries, and food and accommodation while travelling. Visa fees, vaccinations cost and insurance are also paid for.

http://www.wcmt.org.uk/apply

Closing date 22 Sep 15

H2020 marie Curie Individual Fellowships

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The goal of Individual Fellowships is to enhance the creative and innovative potential of experienced researchers wishing to widen their experience in terms of skill acquisition at multi- or interdisciplinary level through advanced training, international and intersectoral mobility.

Individual Fellowships provide opportunities to acquire and transfer new knowledge and to work on research in a European context (EU Member States and Associated Countries) or outside Europe. The scheme particularly supports the return and reintegration of researchers from outside Europe who have previously worked here. It also develops or helps to restart the careers of individual researchers that show great potential, considering their experience.

Support is for individual, trans-national fellowships awarded to the best or most promising researchers for employment in EU Member States or Associated Countries, based on an application made jointly by the researcher and host organisation in the academic or non-academic sectors.

Fellowships are either European Fellowships or Global Fellowships. European Fellowships are held in EU Member States or Associated Countries and are open to researchers currently within and outside Europe.

Support to individuals to resume research in Europe after a career break, e.g. after parental leave, is ensured via a separate multi-disciplinary career restart panel of the European Fellowships. To qualify for the career restart panel, researchers must not have been active in research for at least 12 months immediately prior to the deadline for submission.

Researchers receiving an Individual Fellowship may opt to include a secondment phase in Europe, notably in the non-academic sector, within the overall duration of their fellowship. For a fellowship of 18 months or less, the secondment phase may last up to three months. For a fellowship of more than 18 months, the secondment phase may last up to six months. The secondment phase can be a single period or be divided into shorter mobility periods. The secondment should significantly add to the impact of the fellowship.

A Career Development Plan should be established jointly by the supervisor(s) and the researcher. In addition to research objectives, this plan comprises the researcher’s training and career needs, including training on transferable skills, planning for publications and participation in conferences.

Expected impact:

• Individual Fellowships are expected to add significantly to the development of the best and most promising researchers active in Europe, in order to enhance and maximise their contribution to the knowledge-based economy and society.

• Individual Fellowships are expected to strengthen the contact network of both the researcher and the host organisation.

• Individual Fellowships are expected to contribute the full potential of researchers and to significant development in their careers in both the academic and non-academic sectors.

• Some researchers will be resuming a research career in Europe after a break, or reintegrating within Europe after living abroad.

Deadline: 10-09-2015 17:00:00 (Brussels local time)

Further details: http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/portal/desktop/en/opportunities/h2020/calls/h2020-msca-if-2015.html#tab2

 

Interdisciplinary innovation awards: Conflict, Crime and Security

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The Arts and Humanities Research Council and the Economic and Social Research Council, as part of Research Councils UK’s Partnership for Conflict, Crime and Security, invite applications for their interdisciplinary innovation awards.

These support the development of innovative, high risk, interdisciplinary research, exploratory or pilot studies, or the development of new partnerships and collaborations addressing issues of central relevance to the PaCCS conflict theme.

The theme brings together security research and other activities that are sensitive to the changing global context and have an impact in the prediction, detection, prevention and reduction of security threats. Priority areas include conflict, transnational organised crime and cybersecurity.

Applications must be submitted by the principal investigator’s research organisation, which may be a higher education institution recognised by the ESRC or AHRC for submitting applications, or an ESRC- or AHRC-recognised independent research organisation.

The principal investigator or any co-investigator must either have a PhD or be of postdoctoral standing, and have the skills and experience to undertake their outlined role.

Awards are worth up to £80,000 each, covering 80 per cent of full economic cost, over a maximum period of 18 months. Approximately eight to 12 awards are available.

A second call for Interdisciplinary Research Grants (up to 48 months and between £400,000 and £800,000 fEC) aims to support innovative interdisciplinary research proposals addressing one or more of the following strands within the Conflict theme:

  • New Perspectives on the Changing Character and Mosaic of Conflict, and Transitions to and from Conflict, through Time
  • Community Experiences of, and Responses to, Conflict
  • Conflict in the Information Age

The AHRC and ESRC are contributing to a ‘common pot’ of up to £4m to these joint PaCCS calls on conflict to support interdisciplinary research innovation which crosses the remits of the two Councils; in addition, the EPSRC has indicated that it would be willing to consider co-funding projects on a case by case which cross into its remit, particularly in relation to the connections between conflict and digital technologies and/or cyber-security.​

Deadline 22 Oct 15 Applications due by 4pm.

www.ahrc.ac.uk/Funding-Opportunities/Pages/PaCCS-Conflict-Theme-–-2-Funding-Calls.aspx

 

 

 

 

 

 

Former UK chief scientist joins European selection panel

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Former UK chief scientific adviser David King is among the trio selected to choose European Commission’s High Level Group of scientific advisers.

Carlos Moedas, the European Union’s research commissioner, announced today that David King, now the UK foreign secretary’s special representative for climate change, will be assisting the Commission in choosing advisers for the Scientific Advice Mechanism.

King will join Rianne Letschert, chairwoman of the Royal Dutch Academy of Sciences’ Young Academy, and António Vitorino, former European Commissioner for Justice and Internal Affairs, to form an identification committee that will define the criteria for identifying members of the High Level Group, in addition to making their own recommendations.

The High Level Group will comprise seven scientific advisers who will offer the Commission independent scientific advice to support policy decisions. A press release said the group would draw on the “wide range of scientific expertise in Europe through a close relationship with national academies, universities, research organisations and specialised EU bodies”.

The EU’s Scientific Advice Mechanism was created in response to criticism at the decision of EU president not to renew the post of chief scientific adviser to the Commission president following the departure of the first holder of the post Anne Glover in November 2014.