Brussels,23 June 2009
New technologies, intelligent services and know-how for the security of citizens against the threats of terrorism, natural disasters and industrial accidents are featured online on the CORDIS FP7 Security Research Information Service, launched by the European Commission today, http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/security. The service brings news, interviews, events and highlights from the first European R&D; funding scheme with a specific focus on security research - the Seventh Research Framework Programme (FP7).
“Technology alone cannot guarantee security, but without it, we cannot have security. The goal of European security research is making Europe more secure for its citizens while increasing its industrial competitiveness”, explains Marco Malacarne, Head of the Security Research and Development Unit in the Commission’s Directorate-General for Enterprise and Industry. “Through the funding of international collaboration between academia, industry and end-users, EU can stimulate synergies and help overcome market fragmentation in this area. At the same time, the overall societal dimension and preparedness is of highest importance at all stages including prevention, crisis and after crisis management.”
The new CORDIS service is the entry point to the first EU-funded projects from the FP7 budget for security research worth Euro 1 400 million (2007-2013). It offers story lines on the use of the EU research funding for the benefit of citizens and industry and for increased transport, energy, environment and health security.
One example is the Seamless Co-operation for Crisis (SECRICOM) project, which seeks to integrate the communication systems of the various emergency services into a seamless and secure system during crisis situations. With an EU contribution of nearly 3.6 million Euro the AMASS project is developing an autonomous maritime surveillance system, while COCAE is focusing on intelligent systems for detection of the “wrong” chemistry used in explosives. The European Software Defined Radio for wireless in joint security operations (EULER) project strengthens synergies with the European Defence Agency for overcoming barriers against interoperability for communication between different security agencies.
All 45 security research projects funded by the European Commission so far are featured on CORDIS with detailed factsheets on the challenges addressed by the research teams, organisations involved, the amount of EU research funding, as well as the start and end dates and contacts of project co-ordinators for interviews.
New Impetus from the Swedish Presidency
The CORDIS FP7 Security Research Information Service offers advance information on the Fourth Annual Security Research Conference which is organised by the Swedish Presidency in collaboration with the European Commission. It will gather in Stockholm on the 29th and 30th September more than 1 200 representatives from research, industry, European institutions, public authorities and other stake-holders. The event will showcase the achievements of EU-funded security research and debate its future in the context of the Stockholm Programme for a more secure and open Europe which is high on the Swedish Presidency Agenda (1 July - 31 December 2009).
New funding opportunities
In July the European Commission will launch the next round of EU funding for security research, worth 218 Million Euros. The CORDIS FP7 Security Research Information Service is the entry point for organizations interested in benefitting from it. The interactive website offers information, guidance for newcomers and partnership opportunities. It also provides access to the SEREN network, offering professional advice and co-ordination of transnational collaboration among the European security research community.
With the growing importance of security research on the EU agenda, the new CORDIS service will be useful not only for those interested to take part in EU-funded research, but for policy makers and all stakeholders of the European area for freedom, security and justice.
To visit the service: http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/security
For further information
Virginia Mercouri
CORDIS press relations
Contractor : Intrasoft International SA
Tel.: + 32 2 238 17 36
Fax: + 32 2 238 17 98
E-mail: press@cordis.europa.eu
