Please see the attached article reviewing the Intellectual Property Office publication entitled ‘Agreeing a price for Intellectual Property Rights’ which is becoming increasingly topical.
The Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) sector is one of the most research intensive sectors in the EU economy, meaning that it has a high ratio of Research & Development (R&D) expenditure if compared to its value added (its revenues less materials and services purchases). This is one of the main findings of a new report by the Joint Research Centre’s (JRC*) Institute for Prospective Technological Studies (IPTS).
Also highlighted is that in 2009, the R&D intensity of this sector was more than four times the average of all business sectors in the EU (1.2%).
The report shows that in 2009 the ICT sector accounted for 17% of the EU’s total business R&D expenditure, while only representing 4% of the EU’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This share of GDP – stable over the last few years – amounted to a value added of € 470 billion in 2009 and represented over 6.1 million jobs.
Despite the decrease of R&D investment in the sector from 2008 to 2009 (-7%) and the loss of value added (-7.4%), it can be said that the R&D drive was stable, as the sector maintained an R&D intensity of 5.3% in 2009, very close to the 5.4% intensity registered in 2008. This R&D intensity positions ICT as a “high R&D intensity” sector, similar to pharmaceuticals and biotechnology or health care equipment and services, even at times of economic downturn.
Compared to the US however, the report found Europe lags in ICT performance. The US had 22 per cent higher profits from ICT in 2009, and its profit per employee in that area was double that of the EU.
The report is part of the Prospective Insights on R&D in ICT (Predict) project, which works to collect information for the EU’s digital agenda. The project is funded by the European Commission’s DG Connect and the Joint Research Centre.
This report is the fifth edition of a series published annually by the “PREDICT” project, which provides a detailed analysis of the state of Information and Communication Technologies R&D activities in the European Union. PREDICT is a project jointly funded by the JRC and the Directorate General for Communications Networks, Contents and Technology (DG CONNECT). PREDICT provides indicators for the Digital Agenda for Europe.
To read the full report go to: JRC Report
Click here to go to the PREDICT website
*JRC is the EU’s in-house science service.
The European Commission has published a call for proposals for organisations to propose lists of prospective independent experts to assist the Commission’s services in connection with the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7).
The Commission will appoint experts:
– to assist in the evaluation of proposals in line with the various scientific, technological and socioeconomic aims of FP7. Evaluation work includes making recommendations on ways to gear research towards optimum achievement of the aims of the specific programme concerned;
– to assist in the monitoring of projects selected and funded by the Community, including, where necessary and as appropriate, the monitoring of projects funded by the Community under previous research framework programmes;
– for other purposes where specific expertise might be required (e.g. monitoring of the implementation, evaluation and assessment of impacts of RTD programmes and policies).
To see the full details of the call, go to:
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2006/c_305/c_30520061214en00540055.pdf
For further information on the appointments, please contact externalprojects@staffs.ac.uk
The deadline for submitting proposal documents is 31/07/2013.
Before contacting the Commission, tenderers are strongly advised to consult the original call text in the Official Journal of the European Union at the reference below.
Five hundred universities from across Europe and the world are expected to take part in a new international university ranking initiated by the European Commission, it was announced today. The new listing, U-Multirank, will differ from existing rankings by rating universities according to a broader range of performance factors, aimed at providing a more realistic and user-friendly guide to what they offer. The new ‘multidimensional’ ranking will rate universities in five separate areas: reputation for research, quality of teaching and learning, international orientation, success in knowledge transfer (e.g. partnerships with business and start-ups), and regional engagement. Universities are being invited to sign up for the new ranking in the first half of 2013, and the first results are due in early 2014. U-Multirank will be formally launched at a major conference on 30-31 January in Dublin under the Irish Presidency of the European Union.
Androulla Vassiliou, European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth, said: “This will be a modern and sophisticated ranking, capturing the full diversity of higher education. Existing international rankings still tend to attach too much weight to research reputation. Our multi-dimensional ranking will provide a more accurate and comparable guide to university quality. U-Multirank will help young people make the right study choices and it will motivate institutions to improve their performance across a whole range of activities. It will also be a useful tool for decision-makers, enabling them to be better placed to develop effective higher education strategies for the future.’
U-Multirank will be based on objective criteria and data. The Commission aims to attract a wide range of universities to take part in the first phase. It would be open to others to join in later. U-Multirank will also enable individuals to select and weigh their own priorities to produce their own, tailor-made rankings.
To ensure impartiality, quality and verification, the Commission has selected an independent consortium to carry out the ranking. The Centre for Higher Education (CHE) in Germany and the Center for Higher Education Policy Studies (CHEPS) in the Netherlands, will lead the initiative. They will work with partners including the Centre for Science and Technology Studies at Leiden University (CWTS), academic publishers Elsevier, the Bertelsmann Foundation and software firm Folge 3. The consortium will also work with national ranking partners and stakeholder organisations to compile accurate data.
Background
U-Multirank is the culmination of an initiative which originated at a conference organised under the 2008 French Presidency of the European Union, which called for a new university ranking based on a methodology reflecting a variety of dimensions of excellence in an international context.
The European Commission subsequently commissioned a feasibility study which was carried out by a consortium of higher education and research organisations known as CHERPA and finalised in 2011. The study, based on work with 150 higher education institutions from Europe and around the world, confirmed that both the concept and implementation of a multi-dimensional ranking was realistic.
U-Multirank will be developed in 2013-2014 and will receive €2 million in EU funding from the Lifelong Learning Programme, with the possibility of a further two years of seed-funding in 2015-2016. The goal is for an independent organisation to run the ranking thereafter.
For more information
The EU Skills Panorama website has been launched by the Commission to help tackle skills mismatches across Europe.
The website presents quantitative and qualitative information on short and medium-term skills needs, skills supply and skills mismatches. Drawing on data and forecasts compiled at an EU and Member State level, the Skills Panorama will highlight the fastest growing occupations as well as ‘bottleneck’ occupations.
Containing detailed information by sector, profession and country, the website will aim to improve education and training systems to adapt to the latest trends in skills while boosting Europe’s productivity and competitiveness.
To read the press release in full visit: europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-12-1329_en.htm
To use the EU Skills Panorama visit: euskillspanorama.ec.europa.eu
The Open Research Area (ORA) partners are pleased to announce their third joint call for proposals. The current partners (ANR, DFG, ESRC, NWO) are delighted to welcome the United States National Science Foundation (NSF) to the 2012-13 round of the scheme.
This will establish the ORA plus scheme, allowing US researchers to collaborate in ORA projects. Through this expansion, thousands of new researchers will be available for cooperation in ORA applications, offering interesting opportunities to cooperate on a wider scale.
This change means that there are now five countries participating in the next call: France, Germany, the Netherlands, United Kingdom and the United States.
Proposals will be accepted for research projects in any area of the social sciences involving researchers from any combination of three or more of the participating countries.
Unlike previous rounds, ORA will not accept applications for proposals from only two countries. In this pilot phase of ORA plus, this is necessary to manage demand for what is already a very popular scheme, and to ensure proposals can be assessed in a timely fashion. The partners will continue to review the response to the scheme and consider what steps may be taken to support bilateral research collaboration in future through ORA or other mechanisms.
The closing date is 15 February 2013.
For further information, contact externalprojects@staffs.ac.uk
Advance notice is given that the ESRC expects to publish, on 15 January 2013, a call for proposals for an investment in research on the impacts of both the process and outcomes of the Scottish independence referendum.
Research topics will be wide-ranging and are likely to include the wider implications of independence and/or continuing devolution of powers for the rest of UK, Scotland’s finances, continuing constitutional and legislative change, and the future shape of Scottish society (including demographic issues).
It is therefore expected that the call will be for a ‘Hub and Spoke’ Centre or Research Network (although innovative alternative arrangements will be considered), with a two year programme of work, costed at up to £2 million (at 80 per cent FEC).
Please note: applications will be acceptable from any Research Organisation eligible to hold ESRC funds, across the UK.
http://www.esrc.ac.uk/funding-and-guidance/funding-opportunities/24499/latest-opportunity-11.aspx
We have the Patents County Court capably supervised by His Honour Judge Colin Birss (producing some very interesting intellectual property decisions) which allows small claims in intellectual property, up to £5,000.00 to be adjudicated without wearing a proverbial hole in the small business’s pocket, or the small any persons’ pocket.
It is now proposed to introduce an accelerated patent application process via the Intellectual Patent Office (processing patents within 90 days). Faster trade marks examination, down to 5 days, instead of 10 days is also aimed at. There also proposals afoot to provide advice to small businesses and businesses generally, regarding exploitation of IP rights at home and abroad.
The above is of course subject to the ordinary challenges to patents and trade marks so such challenges would still need to be adjudicated.
The link to the Intellectual Property site is attached below. Never let it be said that Government does not bring hope and cheer at Christmas!
http://www.researchprofessional.com/news/article/1278887?i=1279052&__mhid=41964611
The Intelligent Energy Europe programme has launched a call for proposals. This funding stream supports projects designed to:
The next call has €65 million available with a deadline of May 8th. For further details on the call priorities and help in exploring opportunities please contact externalprojects@staffs.ac.uk. There is a Brussels based information day on the 23rd January followed by a networking partner brokerage event on the 24th January. We have Staffordshire University representation at this event so if you would like to express an interest please contact externalprojects@staffs.ac.uk.
The official call information is available at http://ec.europa.eu/energy/intelligent/getting-funds/call-for-proposals/how-to-apply/index_en.htm.
The European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training invites proposals for a narrative of career-related and labour-market-related learning of low-skilled workers. The tenderer shall conduct a study to investigate how low-educated and low-skilled workers with a low socio-economic background think about education and continuous learning. Funding is worth up to €300,000 over 18 months.
The study will investigate how low-educated/low-skilled workers with a low socio-economic background think about education and continuous learning. The inquiry will be based on a collection of individual narratives that should bring out attitudes, aspirations and expectations towards learning. This research on low-educated workers prone to the risk of unemployment and social exclusion intends to uncover the potential among individuals to re-engage in learning and become socially upwardly mobile. The results of the study will be used to inform Cedefop’s research agenda on the topic of how adult and work-based learning can help people to better manage careers and working-life transitions, to set the stage for future analyses, and to pave the way for policy recommendations.
The closing date is 18th January 2013.
http://ted.europa.eu/udl?uri=TED:NOTICE:374347-2012:TEXT:EN:HTML&src=0
For further information, please contact externalprojects@staffs.ac.uk