Please find below some latest news linked to European RTD and Construction selected by ECTP General Secretariat (Issue 20 - 6 November 2008). For more information on any of the articles below, please visit the ECTP website at click here
European R&D Calls of Interest for the Construction Sector
Please do not forget to consult regularly the Euro-RTD Construction Portal to get selective, centralized and updated information on R&D programmes of the European Commission, together with the published calls for proposals which may present an interest for the Construction sector. Recently published calls are available on the home page.
European Energy Research Alliance launched
Source: DG TREN
EU Commissioners for Research and Energy, Janez Potocnik and Andris Piebalgs, welcomed on 28 October the initiative of leading research institutes in the European Union (EU) to found the European Energy Research Alliance (EERA). The Alliance is going to expand and optimise EU energy research capabilities through the sharing of world-class national facilities and the joint realisation of national and European programmes.
The Strategic Energy Technology (SET) Plan
Source: Rapid (MEMO/08/657)
Making the European energy system more sustainable and secure is one of the greatest challenges facing Europe. The EU responded with the Energy and Climate Package, which contains a set of ambitious targets for 2020.
ARTEMIS and ENIAC allocate 400 million for R&D projects
Source: DG Information Society
The ARTEMIS and ENIAC Joint Undertakings have allocated 185 million of public funding to 20 industrial R&D projects. The first of the 20 projects are expected to start work in January 2009. They address the development of chips, electronics and software systems in areas of major industrial, economic and societal impact, such as energy efficiency, smart homes and buildings, sustainable cities.
Interregional co-operation: launch of second call for projects
Source: Inforegio
INTERREG IVC is a programme funded by the European Union that helps Europes regions establish partnerships, enabling them to work together on common projects. The second call for projects has just been launched and will remain open until 30 January 2009.
Call for applications regarding Commission Decision of 22 October 2008 setting up a European Cluster Policy Group
Source: JOUE C 275
By decision of 22 October 2008, the Commission has set up the European Cluster Policy Group (ECPG). The scope and objective of the ECPG is to share intelligence about cluster policies in view to further explore how to better assist Member States in supporting the emergence of world-class clusters in the EU. The Commission is therefore calling for applications with a view to listing candidates to make up the ECPG.
Life+ projects
Source: Rapid (IP/08/1588)
The European Commission has approved funding for 143 new projects under the first call for the LIFE+ programme (2007-2013), the European fund for the environment. The projects are from across the EU and cover actions in the fields of nature conservation, environmental policy, and information and communication. Overall, they represent a total investment of 367 million, of which the EU will provide 186 million.
STAND-INN project won Europe Innova Best Network Award
Source: ECTP General Secretariat
The STAND-INN project under the Europe INNOVA programme has just worked out its final achievements, and held its Final conference in Brussels, 14 & 15 October 2008. The project took as its mission to provide guidance on how standardisation supports innovation and building smart, and actively disseminated information about sustainability and BIM standards so as to encourage processes that create sustainable value for customers. A key deliverable is the STAND-INN Handbook, a customer-oriented guide introducing to users practical approaches and case studies for Standards and innovation in construction.
Special Report No 7/2008 Intelligent Energy 2003-2006
Source: JOUE C 279
The European Court of Auditors has published a Special Report No 7/2008 Intelligent Energy 2003-2006, together with an Information Note.
First edition of the JRC Newsletter
Source: JRC
The first edition of the JRC Newsletter has been published. The purpose of this new monthly publication is to provide customers, stakeholders and staff, along with anyone interested in who is JRC and what they do, with a selection of recent highlights from scientific achievements, support to European policy making, contributions to scientific events and other news of interest.
European Sustainable Energy Week 2009
Source: DG TREN
Registration is open now for the EU Sustainable Energy Week 2009 - the key meeting place for anyone interested in sustainable energy in Europe. From 9 to 13 February 2009 dozens of conferences, workshops, seminars and media events will be organised both in Brussels and in other cities across Europe. As part of the Sustainable Energy Week, the EACI will organise a European Info Day on 12 February 2009 to help you apply for funding under next year's IEE call for project proposals.
Please find below 2 documents which give information regarding the JTI Association and the work they are undertaking on the launch of the E2B JTI
E2B JTI Proposal - This document provides more information about the JTI Association, describing the opportunities and benefits that can be realised by getting involved (document supplied by Arup, a founding member and the UK National Contact Points for the E2B JTI). A copy of the proposal is available below
The minutes from the last JTI meeting in Brussels on 28 August 2008 can be downloaded below