Newsletter October 2021

Focus

Co-directors Navigating the Sea of European Funding

After 3 years at the helm of Euresearch, Regina Schneider has handed over to Cornelia Spycher and Francesco Kienzle. The shared directorship, a Euresearch first, brings together the know-how and drive of two seasoned experts.

As of 1 October 2021, we are the new co-directors of Euresearch. With our complementary profiles and research backgrounds, as well as our long experience with the EU Framework Programmes, we are excited about this new challenge, and fully committed to ensuring that Swiss researchers and innovators receive the best possible support, especially in the current situation. Our new co-directorship, backed by the Management Board and the excellent nationwide services of the Euresearch Network, aims to support our clients to identify and seize the numerous funding opportunities in the new Framework Programme, Horizon Europe.

The current choppy waters should not overshadow the many upcoming calls for proposals in Horizon Europe, in which applicants from Switzerland are eligible to participate. While the last calls for 2021 will soon close, more than 200 new topics for 2022 will open by the end of the year, some with deadlines shortly thereafter. In parallel, the other possibilities offered by Innosuisse and the transitional measures for the ERC and MSCA set up by the SNSF, will add to the array of opportunities out there.

In this frenetically paced time, Euresearch will continue to support the Swiss research and innovation community to adapt swiftly to the new eligibility conditions and to maintain submissions with European consortia. Euresearch's motivated crew – constantly adapting to the changing situation – is there to inform, advise and connect; in short, to help you navigate it all so that you stand the best chance of securing funding for your project. Our goal is to ensure that Swiss excellence keeps flowing into European research and innovation through active participation in Horizon Europe.

Let’s weigh anchor and set sail!

ERC Starting and Consolidator Grant Eligibility to Change with 2023 Calls

The ERC plans to change the PhD reference date relevant for calculating the eligibility time window for Starting and Consolidator Grants. From Work Programme 2023 on, the date of the PhD defence will be relevant and no longer the award date according to the national rules of the country where the degree was awarded.

Cancer Mission Implementation Plan Published

The Implementation Plan aims to be the operational blueprint for how the European Commission will deliver on the overall objective of the Mission on Cancer, providing a clear operational course of action across 4 objectives. It specifies the main actions to be undertaken over the lifetime of the Mission, with an emphasis on the first 3 years (2021-2023).

European Cybersecurity Month (ECSM)

ECSM is the EU’s annual cybersecurity awareness campaign, which takes place each October across Europe. The aim is to raise awareness of cybersecurity threats and to promote cyber hygiene among citizens and organisations through education and sharing of good practices.

Horizon Europe Partnerships Expected to Launch in December

Negotiations on 10 partnership initiatives under Horizon Europe are complete. The EU Council is expected to approve them in November, and the launch is foreseen for December. The eligibility for participation and funding for Swiss entities depends on the partnership.

SNSF Advanced Grant Call Launched

The SNSF Advanced Grant call – a transitional measure put in place on behalf of the Swiss Government to replace the ERC Advanced Grant – is open. The grants support leading researchers who wish to conduct innovative, high-risk research in Switzerland. Applicants need to pre-register on mySNF by 1 November and submit their proposals by 1 December 2021. These measures will also apply to Starting and Consolidator Grants for 2022, in the event that Swiss researchers are not eligible to submit proposals to those ERC calls.

SNSF Postdoctoral Fellowships Call to Launch Soon

Based on a mandate from the Swiss Government, the Swiss National Science Foundation will open a call for the "SNSF Swiss Postdoctoral Fellowship" on 15 October with a deadline on 15 December 2021, in order to compensate for the fact that researchers are currently unable to come to Switzerland with a MSCA 2021 European Postdoctoral Fellowship. This transitional measure aims to offer a funding opportunity comparable to the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship. The call document is available.

Joint Research Centre: External Staff Recruitment

The JRC regularly looks for trainees, graduate trainees, grantholders and auxiliary contract staff from different research fields for the different sites of the JRC. Open positions and instructions on how to apply for these short-term contracts can be found on the European Commission website.

Funds for Standardisation Activities

StandICT.eu directly funds experts for their contributions in international ICT standardisation organisations, working groups or technical committees. The 5th call covers a broad range of digital-related areas (cloud computing, IoT, 5G, cybersecurity, AI, Industry 4.0, eHealth, quantum technologies, etc.)
Deadline: 29.11.2021

myEUspace Competition

The objective of the competition is to support the development of innovative commercial solutions that leverage EU space data from Galileo and/or Copernicus. This could include mobile apps or hardware-based solutions (wearables, asset management and tracking solutions, robotics, etc.). There are 6 application areas – mobility, consumer solutions, green planet, mapping solutions, farming, and quantum technology – and 2 tracks – from idea to prototype / customer validation, and from prototype to product / market entry. Awards are max. €35 000 (track 1) and €65 000 (track 2).
Deadline: 15.11.2021

MEDICA Healthcare Brokerage Event 2021

On the occasion of MEDICA 2021, ZENIT GmbH together with the Healthcare Sector Group of the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) are organising an international brokerage event. The aim is to assist enterprises, universities and research institutions in finding worldwide partners for product development, manufacturing and licensing agreements, distribution partnerships, research cooperation, joint ventures, financing/investment, public buyers or other types of partnerships.
15-18.11.2021, online and onsite at MEDICA
01.10-23.12.2021, online

Mobility Info Event – European Funding Opportunities in 2022

Horizon Europe offers unprecedented funding opportunities for research and innovation in mobility. Attend this event if you want to learn about the funding available in 2022.
02.11.2021, online

Digital Technologies Info Event – European Funding Opportunities in 2022

Horizon Europe offers unprecedented funding opportunities for research and innovation in digital technologies. Attend this event if you want to know what funding is available in 2022.
16.11.2021, online

Enterprise Europe Network Matchmaking @ Smart City Event 2021

Smart City 2021 will be an enhanced hybrid cross-platform experience – a combined physical event of "Smart City Expo World Congress" and "Tomorrow.Mobility World Congress", with the digital platform of "Tomorrow.City", offering endless opportunities. The free-of-charge matchmaking event will also be hybrid, combining onsite and virtual B2B meetings.
16-18.11.2021, Barcelona and online

Enterprise Europe Network Matchmaking @ DroneDays 2021

This 6th free-of-charge matchmaking event is designed to provide SMEs with pre-arranged meetings during which they can investigate new market opportunities to diversify their current client and domain portfolios. The virtual meetings will bring participants new opportunities to develop their businesses in the areas of civil and commercial application and the use of drones.
26.11.2021, online

Newsletter October 2021

Co-directors Navigating the Sea of European Funding

News

ERC Starting and Consolidator Grant Eligibility to Change with 2023 Calls