ETP 2010 Conference "Working together on societal challenges". Brussels, 11-12 May 2010
Over 400 representatives of ETPs, national authorities and other organisations active in research and innovation met in Brussels on 11-12 May to discuss technological contributions to tackling societal challenges.
The conference was a milestone on the way to the re-focusing and integration of research and innovation policy announced in the Commission's Europe 2020 strategy.

Innovation data map EU strengths and weaknesses while the Council discusses future innovation policy
The Innobarometer, whose 2009 edition was released in March, places Denmark, Germany, Finland, Sweden ant the UK above the EU average when it comes to innovation performance.  All of them are however overcome by Switzerland.

A detailed country profile is shown for each country including the relative strengths and weaknesses in innovation performance and its main drivers of innovation growth. For each country detailed data tables are available from the INNO Metrics website (http://www.proinno-europe.eu/metrics).

Innovation continues to be top of the EU's policy agenda, and the he European Commission is continuing its work on a new "Innovation Union" strategy, , which will be adopted this autumn and then discussed by the European Council...

ISI presents an innovative paper
The members of the Integral SatCom Initiative European Technology Platform (ISI) launched a specific action at their last general assembly (Toulouse, April 2010) to identify the research topics in satellite communications that could help in addressing grand societal challenges.
The document produced by ISI is the first one produced by a Technology Platform focussing on interdisciplinary cooperation for societal challenges.

To read more click here [ - 159Kb]

Bioeconomy platforms host an event at the European Parliament
At an ETP-run event at the European Parliament, Karin Metzlaff (Plants for the Future ETP) emphasized the importance of bringing together all relevant ETPs to discuss their interactions in the challenge of producing better and more food than ever before on less land per capita, while reducing water and energy use..
The meeting, held at the European Parliament premises, aimed at keeping MEPs fully informed of industrial developments and the need for policy support for research collaboration in bioeconomy industries.

To read more click here [ - 179Kb]

EU presidency event fostered the development of nanotech applications
The NANOfutures initiative aims at creating a horizontal forum for bringing together researchers and industrialists across a range of industrial sectors to support the safe development of nanotechnology applications.
The European Commission and the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation supported the official launch of NANOFutures in Gijón, Spain, on June 15-16. More than 500 participants from over 28 countries had an opportunity for high-level networking on nanotechnologies research.

To read more click on www.nanofutures.eu.
Presentations and pictures from the launch event are available on the member area.

The SET-Plan moves forward in its cooperation with industry: Infoday on 8 July 2010 in Brussels
Four European Industrial Initiatives (EIIs) of the Strategic Energy Technology Plan were launched on 3 June 2010 in Madrid: Wind, Solar (Photovoltaics & Concentrated Solar Power, Electricity Grids and Carbon Capture & Storage.
The European Commission and Member States have committed to supporting energy research in a set of agendas developed jointly with industry. Members of the energy research community prepare now for a next call on electricity storage (relevant for the Electricity Grids EII) and on floating structures for deep off-shore wind electricity generation (relevant for the Wind EII).

9 July 2010 in Brussels, Charlemagne building
In order to support the preparation of proposals for the next call of the recovery package public-private partnerships, the European Commission is holding an Infoday on July 9th at the Charlemagne building in Brussels.
As part of the European Economic Recovery Plan, the Commission launched in 2009 three public-private partnerships. They aimed at boosting research efforts in three large industrial sectors: automotive, construction and manufacturing.

8 July 2010 in Brussels
The event will provide interested stakeholders with a detailed briefing on the FP7 ICT work programme 2011/12, I particular regarding the part devoted to setting-up the public-private-partnership (PPP) on the Future Internet.
In addition, the workshop will be a platform for potential proposers to exchange their ideas and to network. It is assumed that participants to this event will have read the FP7 ICT work programme text, in particular all objectives related.

http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/activities/foi/events/fipppi10/index_en.htm

On September 7, 8 and 9, 2010, the first edition of the ‘Industrial Technologies’ conference is being organised by the European Commission in cooperation with the Belgian EU Presidency. The focus will be on nanotechnologies and nanosciences, materials and manufacturing technologies, which are the key areas of the FP7 NMP Theme.
The conference will give you the possibility to meet major actors in the field. It will be an international forum where industry, research organisations, universities as well as policy makers will meet and discuss possibilities for cooperation and proposals for improved integration in the near future.
Please bookmark the conference website www.industrial-technologies2010.eu and check regularly for information regarding the programme, speakers, networking activities…

Europe's most visible forum for ICT research and innovation
This biennial event has become a unique gathering point for researchers, business people, investors, and high level policy makers in the field of digital innovation. ICT 2010 will focus on policy priorities such as Europe's Digital Agenda and the next financial programme of the European Union for funding research and innovation in ICT.
At ICT 2010:

• Discover latest research trends in information and communication technologies
• Identify European priorities for 2.8 billion Euros research funding in ICT (2011-2012)
• Meet potential research and business partners at dozens of networking sessions
• Venture through our 5000 m² exhibition of Europe's latest cutting edge ICT research

5-7 July 2010 in Shanghai, China
The European Commission and the Chinese Ministry of Sciences and Technology organise an Energy Conference at the EU Pavilion of the Shanghai Expo. There will be site-visits for interested European enterprises and also business match-making opportunities with Chinese enterprises in the clean energy field.

Session 4 on 7 July 2010 covers alternative fuels. The rest of the event covers Smart Grids, renewable energy technology, and related energy topics. Places at the conference are limited.

1 December 2010 in Delhi, India

The event aims at stimulating research, innovation and industrial cooperation between European and Indian clusters, facilitating access to the appropriate stakeholders and understanding the respective research, innovation and industrial environments.

On the European side, potential participants include ETPs (European Technology Platforms) and KICs (European Knowledge Innovation Communities).