 Focus How wide is the horizon for Europe?
Horizon 2020 was “open to the world”, Horizon Europe focuses on “strategic autonomy”. What does this mean for Switzerland?
Now that
Horizon Europe (HE) has finally got its legal basis, non-EU Member States can
start the negotiation process to become “Associated Countries” (AC). When
preparing the new Framework Programme (FP), the European Commission (EC) made
much of their intention to open the circle of potential candidates for Association to include countries such as Canada and Japan. With the first big
round of calls about to open, several draft Work Programmes have revealed, however,
that the outlook of the EC has changed significantly. Not only have they demoted
the status of these "Third Country" participants, in certain thematic areas such as energy,
quantum technology and space, they even intend to exclude researchers from AC for the sake of the EU’s “strategic autonomy”. This notion had already appeared in early HE drafts, but its meaning was always taken to be increasing the EU’s technological independence from China or the US, not excluding neighbouring countries such as the UK, Switzerland or Israel. Even the representatives of the EU Member States (EU MS) in the Programme Committees, in
charge of approving the Work Programmes, were apparently surprised — and not at
all amused — by this evolving interpretation. Under
the lead of Germany, several EU MS have rallied to reverse impending restrictions. What does
this mean for participants in Switzerland? At the moment, there is not much
difference to the rules of the previous FP. Participants from countries formerly
associated to Horizon 2020, as Switzerland was, can still submit to all 2021 calls as if they were from an
AC. The German-led initiative has resulted in a more nuanced approach to
collaboration, so that Swiss participants should still be able to join
consortia on any topic they want. Meanwhile, the State Secretariat for
Education, Research and Innovation (SERI) is still tirelessly trying to sign
and seal the Swiss Association to HE in time for the signature of the first Grant Agreements. So, the bottom line is: If
you are interested in participating in any of the upcoming HE calls, do so!
Only those who submit a proposal have a chance of getting funded and we certainly
do not want SERI's efforts to have been for nothing. Regina Schneider, Euresearch Director
Alexandra Rosakis, Illustration | |
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News_newsletter.png?lm=1623136509) | _newsletter.png?lm=1623136548) | Horizon Europe Info Days |
The
first of the Horizon Europe Info Days will take place soon! The event provides prospective applicants and
other stakeholders with the opportunity to receive information and ask questions about the
novelties, main funding instruments and processes of Horizon Europe.
The
Info Days will address 9 themes, each dedicated to a different cluster or part of the
new programme. No registration is required.
Date: 28.06-09.07.2021 (online) |
| EIT: Call to Foster Innovation |
The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) is drawing up
the framework for a new network to foster innovation in the creative and
cultural industries. In autumn, it will invite universities,
industry and research organisations to submit their roadmaps. This will be the EIT’s 9th network – providing training, business acceleration services and
funding across Europe. |
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Artificial Intelligence in Switzerland: SAIROP |
Euresearch will contribute to the Swiss Artificial Intelligence Research
Overview Platform (SAIROP), intended to present an overview of AI competencies
in Switzerland. The platform is due to be launched in autumn 2021, under the lead of the Swiss Academy of Engineering Sciences (SATW). |
| Changes in Euresearch Management |
On 1 June 2021, Sibylla Martinelli joined the
Euresearch Management Board. A molecular biologist by training, Sibylla has
been the National Contact Point for the Marie Sklodowska Curie Actions since
2013. She replaces Katja Wirth, who left Euresearch at the end of May. Find out
more about Sibylla in her interview in our March Newsletter. |
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Calls_newsletter.png?lm=1622037114) | _newsletter.png?lm=1622037119) | The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships call opens on 22
June! Apply with a host institution of your choice anywhere in the world for up to a 3-year postdoctoral position and improve your further career chances. The call schedule
may still change until the final adoption of the Work Programme.
Deadline:
12.10.2021 (tbc) |
| MSCA Doctoral Networks Call |
The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Networks Call
opens on 22 June! Apply with a consortium (minimum 3 beneficiaries, one must be
in an EU Member State) for a research and training programme for up to 15 PhD candidates. The call schedule may still change until final adoption of the Work Programme.
Deadline:
16.11.2021 (tbc) |
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Companies_newsletter.png?lm=1622037271) | _newsletter.png?lm=1622037271) | Medtech Innovation Event 2021 |
This year's event consists of pitches by startups/industrial innovators and
solution providers. Additionally, there will be a tabletop exhibition with a
limited number of tabletops and a one-to-one partnering service. The Horizon Europe funding
possibilities in health will be also presented to you.
Date: 28.06.2021, Biel/Bienne |
| European Innovation Council Accelerator - only for SMEs |
The new Step 1 functionalities will be available on
the AI Platform from 22 June 2021. If you receive positive step 1 evaluation
results, you will have the possibility to benefit from the coaching services for
the preparation of the full proposal. Next cut-off for the full proposal (only
after successful step 1): 16.06.2021 & 06.10.2021 |
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The Startup Days will connect and inspire you online
and offline, with an exciting mix of national and international keynote
speakers and over 30 participative sessions in a modular system. Not to be
missed by Swiss start-ups and all players in the innovation ecosystem.
Date: 23.06.2021 |
| Cybersecurity Startup Challenge |
In 2021, your startup or research team has the
opportunity to take part in an exploration programme with Swisscom’s cybersecurity community. You may even be the lucky startup chosen to expand your
network at Swisscom’s outpost in Palo Alto, USA!
Deadline: 04.07.2021 |
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Events_newsletter.png?lm=1622037370) | _newsletter.png?lm=1622037370) | New Intellectual Property Webinars |
Do not miss the next 4 webinars from the IPR Helpdesk with a focus on
Horizon 2020. "IP Commercialisation and Licensing" (16.06.2021), "Effective IP and outreach strategies to
increase the impact of R&I" (23.06.2021), "Impact and Innovation
in EU-funded projects" (30.06.2021), and "Maximising
the Impact of Horizon 2020 Project Results" (07.07.2021) are now open for
registration. |
| ERC Advanced Grant Webinar |
This event is for excellent researchers with at least
10 years of independent research experience who are considering or planning to apply
for a European Research Council Advanced Grant. You will gain an impression of what it takes to be a competitive candidate, get to know the different parts
of the application and have the opportunity to ask questions.
Date: 29.06.2021 (online) |
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Research and Innovation Days – Registration Open! |
This year marks the start of Horizon Europe and the "European Research and Innovation Days" is the European Commission’s annual
flagship event, gathering policymakers, researchers, entrepreneurs and the
public to shape the future of research and innovation in Europe and beyond. Registration is now open – don’t miss this opportunity to interact with the
presenters and the audience!
Date: 23.-24.06.2021 (online) |
| Proposal Writing Training for Collaborative Projects |
This event is aimed at applicants from Swiss institutions, organisations and companies who are planning to write collaborative proposals for Horizon Europe calls. You will
receive targeted information and advice to help you prepare your submission as a task or work package leader, coordinator or partner in a project.
Date: 16.06.2021 (online) |
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