The European Research Council (ERC) has announced the award of 100 new proof-of-concept grants in the first round of the 2024 competition. This latest round of grants includes the 2000th project since the programme’s introduction in 2011, which will receive proof-of-concept funding. Astrophysicist Nanda Rea, who works at Spain’s Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), […]
Read MoreThe European Commission has published the European Innovation Scoreboard 2024
The innovation performance of the European Union continues to improve at a steady pace, reaching a 10% increase since 2017 and a growth of 0.5% between 2023 and 2024. According to the 2024 edition of the European Innovation Scoreboard (EIS) published today, most EU Member States have boosted their innovation performance, but the increase varies strongly from one to another. Key […]
Read MoreCORDIS: Is new car smell carcinogenic?
There’s a hidden danger lurking in car interiors that we’re not even aware of, says new study. Running late to work because of traffic? Hazardous road conditions? Concerned exhaust fumes are polluting the planet? These could be the least of your worries next time you’re behind the wheel. According to research published in the journal […]
Read MoreMore than 27 000 unitary patents registered in the first successful year of the unitary patent system
Over the first successful year of application of the Unitary Patent system, the European Patent Office (EPO) has already registered more than 27,000 unitary patents. This means that on average, almost one in four (23%) granted European patents apply across all participating Member States. This rate is also steadily increasing. The uptake rate reaches almost […]
Read More1.25 billion from Horizon Europe to support cutting-edge research under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions
The Commission has announced new calls for more than €1.25 billion to support research under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions, part of the EU’s research and innovation programme, Horizon Europe. The funding will develop excellent doctoral and postdoctoral programmes and support collaborative research and innovation projects. The funding will support and provide employment […]
Read MoreThe Commission has adopted the second strategic plan for Horizon Europe
The Commission has adopted the second strategic plan for Horizon Europe. The plan, announced at the flagship Research and Innovation Days, sets out three key strategic orientations for EU’s research and innovation funding for the last three years of the programme (2025-2027): Green transition; Digital transition; A more resilient, competitive, inclusive and democratic Europe. These orientations […]
Read MoreEuropean Commission recommends measures to fight counterfeiting and better protect intellectual property rights
The Commission has adopted a Recommendation to combat counterfeiting, both offline and online, and enhance the enforcement of intellectual property rights (IPR). The Recommendation, also known as the EU toolbox against counterfeiting, aims to foster collaboration between rights holders, service providers, and law enforcement, while encouraging best practices and the use of modern tools and […]
Read MoreHorizon 2020 evaluation shows that investment in EU research and innovation greatly pays off
Horizon 2020, the EU’s research and innovation programme running from 2014 to 2020 with a budget of nearly €80 billion, made a major contribution to building an EU society and economy rooted in knowledge and innovation and benefitted Europeans far beyond what could have been achieved at national or regional level. Enabling rapid response to […]
Read MoreEU companies doubled R&D investment growth in 2022
Europe’s industry significantly increased its investment in research and development in 2022, according to the 2023 edition of the EU Industrial Research & Development (R&D) Investment Scoreboard. EU private R&D investment growth has reached the highest rate since 2015 and more than doubled compared to 2021, with 13.6% increase in 2022. In comparison, China has decreased […]
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