What's new

European R&D Newsroom now online on CORDIS

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 00:00:01 GMT

CORDIS, the Community Research and Development Information Service, has launched a European R&D (Research and Development) Newsroom. Bringing together content from nearly 50 sources in key R&D categories, the Newsroom is updated three times per day. The initial sources in the Newsroom were chosen for their relevance to European science and R&D, as well as such factors as content and quality. This will be the first time that so many different sources of official European R&D and science news will be available from one aggregator. With the new service, CORDIS users will be able to read all content on a single webpage, subscribe to the RSS feed of the whole Newsroom service and access the individual RSS feeds of the various information sources. Additionally, users will be able to sign up for the CORDIS R&D Newsroom on iGoogle, NetVibes, MyYahoo! and other services offering personalised homepages. This option will give users the chance to subscribe and receive the latest research and development news in a convenient form which matches their own personal preferences. This opens up technical possibilities for CORDIS and social media in the future. On the Newsroom pages, content can be searched via one of several tabs and buttons indicating the range of time to search, from one day to four weeks, in six categories: 'research', 'innovation', 'information and communication technology', 'environment', 'education' and 'other'. The sources of content for the R&D Newsroom include various themed and general feeds from the Directorate-General Research, the Directorate-General Environment, the Directorate-General Education and Training and the Directorate-General for Enterprise and Industry. Other content providers are the Joint Research Centre (JRC), the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST), the Committee of the Regions (CoR), the European Defence Agency (EDA), the European Space Agency (ESA), Eurostat, the European Southern Observatory (ESO) and more. If a CORDIS user knows of an external source and would like to suggest it for inclusion in the R&D Newsroom, there is a specific form which can be used. All suggestions are welcome and will be evaluated. The new European R&D Newsroom complements existing CORDIS services such as CORDIS Wire. Wire, for example, is a service where users can publish their own content, such as press releases or individual calls. The R&D Newsroom, on the other hand, distributes newsfeeds from selected news sources and services.
Quality validation date: 2009-09-23

Upper Austria Regional Research and Innovation Service now online on CORDIS

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 00:00:01 GMT

The region of Upper Austria is now presenting its research and innovation potential on a new regional service hosted by the Community Research and Development Information Service (CORDIS). The Upper Austria site provides a wealth of information, including key data, details on the region's economy, infrastructure and even culture, as well as insights into the Upper Austrian Technology Plan and contact information for the most important research and innovation stakeholders. Approximately 1.4 million people live in Upper Austria, making it Austria's third most populous federal state. At the same time, it is home to various research institutes and technology centres. Several large companies and numerous small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) complete the research and innovation landscape. Renewable energies, whether hydro power, biomass, solar energy, wind or geothermal, are one of the focal points of the region and receive special funding. 'We particularly emphasise the energy sector,' says Josef Pühringer, Governor of Upper Austria and member of the Committee of the Regions. 'More than 30 percent of the total primary energy consumption is produced from renewable energy sources. Upper Austria is on the way to realising Kyoto targets and we are doing everything to achieve sustainability in all areas of our environmental and energy politics. A situation evidenced by the fact that Linz, the capital city, is one of the cleanest industrial cities in Europe.'
Quality validation date: 2009-09-04

Regional Research and Innovation Service for Flanders published on CORDIS

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 00:00:01 GMT

The Belgian region Flanders has now joined the ranks of European regions featured on the Regional Research and Innovation Service websites of the Community Research and Development Information Service (CORDIS). Home to just over six million Belgians (60% of the total population of Belgium), Flanders represents the main part of the country's industry and workforce, accounting for 57.1% of the national gross domestic product (GDP). In the domain of research and development (R&D), logistics, life sciences and nanotechnology are the focal points. Microelectronics, chip development, media technology, biotechnology, product design and genetic engineering also play an important role. Flanders endorses the Barcelona objective of raising R&D investments to 3% by 2010. As a result, the region's expenditures in R&D and innovation activities reached 2.03% of Flemish GDP in 2007; this is slightly above EU average (1.83%). All of this information and more is compiled in the new research and innovation portal for Flanders. In addition, the service also gives direct access to government agencies and advisory bodies involved in R&D, higher education and research institutes as well as industry, providing a list of the most important contact points.
Quality validation date: 2009-07-22

Swedish Presidency R&D information service launched on CORDIS

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:00:01 GMT

CORDIS, the Community Research and Development Information Service, has published a new internet portal to provide information on research and development (R&D) activities under the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Governance of the European Research Area (ERA) and pro-innovation research policies are just two of the Swedish presidency priorities in R&D highlighted in the new service. It also provides an up-to-date overview of related news and events in especially dedicated sections, helpful links and contact addresses. Supporting the new presidency service, the Swedish national service on CORDIS features R&D-related news concerning Sweden or related to the country, along with project and partner information. Sweden took over the presidency from the Czech Republic on 1 July 2009 and will be in charge until the end of December 2009. At that time, Spain will take over for the first half of 2010.
Quality validation date: 2009-07-01

FP7 Security Research Information Service launched on CORDIS

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:00:01 GMT

New technologies, intelligent services and know-how for the security of citizens are featured online on the new CORDIS FP7 Security Research Information Service. 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). Overall, the budget for security research amounts to Euro 1.4 billion for the 2007-2013 period. All 45 projects that have been funded so far are featured in this new area on CORDIS. In July 2009, the European Commission will launch the next round of funding. Project areas covered by the service include: - increasing the security of citizens; - increasing the security of infrastructures and utilities; - intelligent surveillance and border security; - restoring security and safety in case of crisis; - improving security systems integration, interconnectivity and interoperability; - security and society; - security research coordination and structuring.
Quality validation date: 2009-06-24

Corrigendum: EU-Brazil coordinated call on second-generation biofuels

Mon, 04 May 2009 00:00:01 GMT

The deadline for the EU-Brazil coordinated call on second-generation biofuels under the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) has been postponed due to a delay in the launch of the Brazilian call. The new deadline, to be aligned with the one for the Brazilian call, will be known when the Brazilian call is published. In the meantime, for technical reasons, a provisional deadline has been set for 19 June. However this date may be modified when the Brazilian call is published, in order to align both deadlines. Projects put forward under this call for proposals are expected to focus on the development of advanced technologies for the production of second-generation biofuels from Brazilian and European feedstock. The research activities will concentrate on technological developments and improvements concerning feedstock, conversion technologies, process integration and sustainability. Work is expected to culminate in the design of a biofuel plant, after engineering the developed technology and addressing the energy integration concept. Only project proposals which include coordination with a Brazilian project will be considered.
Quality validation date: 2009-05-04

One-stop information service on FP7-Transport now on CORDIS

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 00:00:01 GMT

The new FP7-Transport (including Aeronautics) service has now been launched by CORDIS, the Community Research and Development Information Service. With just one click, visitors to the new web pages now have extensive information on all things related to the 'Transport' theme of the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) at their fingertips. Entering the service, visitors are informed about the latest developments, news and events in this specific thematic area of FP7 as well as its objective, funding strategy and budget. More information about FP7-Transport is also given under 'About Transport' on the left-hand navigation menu with separate sections about 'Aeronautics and Air', 'Road research', 'Rail research', 'Waterborne' and 'Multimodal transport'. Importantly, the service also provides direct links to open calls published under FP7-Transport and the CORDIS 'Find a project' database, introducing the variety of projects currently receiving EU funding for transport research. Last but not least, useful links to the European Commission's Directorate Generals for Research and Transport, transport and research policy initiatives, transport organisations and industry complete the service.
Quality validation date: 2009-04-29

CORDIS launches Cofunded Calls page

Thu, 05 Mar 2009 00:00:01 GMT

CORDIS, the Community Research and Development Information Service, has extended its calls service and now offers a webpage specially dedicated to cofunded calls. As part of the Marie Curie Actions under the People Theme of the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7), the 'COFUND' scheme provides additional funding to existing or new regional and national fellowship programmes for research training and career development. In addition, it is intended to support and strengthen existing and new international programmes. The new Cofunded Calls page, accessible through a link in the top right-hand corner of the People Calls page, gives more detailed information about what kind of programme is covered by the scheme. Additionally, all calls launched by COFUND action grant receivers, which are currently open to applications, are listed. These calls are not published by the European Commission, but are under the direct responsibility of the individual organisation listed in the table.
Quality validation date: 2009-03-05

A new look for CORDIS

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 00:00:01 GMT

CORDIS, the Community Research and Development Information Service, has launched a new look to highlight its links and integration with Europa, the portal site of the European Union. Europa provides up to date information on European Union affairs, European integration, links to other websites and more. The design change features a new CORDIS banner, while services remain unchanged for end-users. The new banner will be progressively rolled out across the CORDIS website, starting with pages related to the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7), search and news.
Quality validation date: 2009-02-12

Czech Presidency R&D information service now online on CORDIS

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:00:01 GMT

As the Czech Republic has now taken its place at the helm of the European Union for the first half of 2009, CORDIS, the Community Research and Development Information Service, has published a new internet portal to provide information on research and development (R&D) activities under the Czech Presidency. In the coming six months, the Czech Presidency plans to focus the research limelight on a 'European Research Area without barriers'. In order to make progress in a unified European Research Area (ERA), the Presidency will be promoting research infrastructures on an international level and a range of other topics, including: the sharing of knowledge, coordinated programmes and priorities, the opening of the ERA to international cooperation and the mobility of competent researchers, especially from the younger generation. 'The Czech Republic takes over the Presidency of the Council of the EU at the time when debates over a number of fundamental topics of research and development culminate,' states Ondrej Liska, Czech Minister for Higher Education and Research. 'The further development of the European Research Area (ERA) is considered as the key topic.' 'We need Europe without barriers. And not only at the entry but also at the exit,' Mr Liska continues. 'We need Europe without barriers for knowledge that is a result of cutting-edge research. The fifth freedom, freedom of knowledge, must be a permanent objective of the EU.' Beside a detailed account of the Czech Presidency priorities in R&D, the new service provides an up-to-date overview of related news and events in specially dedicated sections. It also gives easy access to important links and addresses. With the completion of the French EU Presidency, the Czech Republic will now be in charge until the end of June 2009. At that time, Sweden will take over for the second half of 2009.
Quality validation date: 2009-01-06

Open Energy call topics at a glance

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 00:00:01 GMT

CORDIS, the Community Research and Development Information Service, has launched a new Energy Open Topics service. The web page lists all calls for proposals published under the Energy Theme of the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) which are currently open to application. Categorised and colour-coded according to the 10 different activities promoted in the framework of the Energy programme, the new service allows CORDIS users to access open Energy calls quickly and easily with just a single click. The web page can be accessed through the link given below or through the Open Topics icon on the FP7 Energy Research website.
Quality validation date: 2008-11-04

New CORDIS archive launched

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 00:00:01 GMT

CORDIS, the Community Research and Development Information Service, now provides access to its archives via the new CORDIS Archive Index. The index makes it possible to surf older web pages on the CORDIS servers, which are no longer updated but may still contain useful information. The new service, which is easily reached through the CORDIS homepage, currently lists a number of sites including, for instance, a link to ACTS ('Advanced communications technologies and services'), a programme which was funded under the Fourth Framework Programme (FP4), the IMPROVING ('Improving human research potential & the socio-economic knowledge base') programme, which received funding from the EU under the Fifth Framework Programme (FP5) and others. Further links will be added as the service evolves. The archive index is a work in progress, aiming to ensure the most extensive access to the wealth of information stored on the servers since CORDIS went online in 1990.
Quality validation date: 2008-09-24

A new face for CORDIS: new homepage now online

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 00:00:01 GMT

CORDIS, the Community Research and Development Information Service, has given its homepage a new look. The previous homepage, online since mid-2005, is replaced with a new design to provide users with an easier means to understand the wide range of information available through CORDIS, and to track down the specific information they need more swiftly. The revamped version takes into consideration the evolution of technology and the Internet over the years, and the fact that CORDIS content has grown considerably in volume and complexity. The new design makes use of the familiar 'tabs' approach: nine tabs, or sections, provide different views of CORDIS content, each corresponding to one of the main poles of interest shared by the majority of CORDIS users. Under each tab, there is a specific sub-section highlighting the main CORDIS services and facilities of relevance to this pole of interest. For example, the 'Funding' tab leads the user straight into the principal source of EU research and development (R&D) funding, the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7). Thanks to the new design, users are now just one click away from the latest events as well as important tools such as EURAXESS-Links, a networking tool for European researchers abroad, Marie Curie actions and more in the 'Researcher's corner'. The new design is only the first step in service improvement. CORDIS is planning to progressively introduce the same nine navigational tabs throughout the entire CORDIS service, thus providing users with a constant site-wide navigation menu, present on all CORDIS pages. This is part of a redesign operation in which the same header and footer will become common to all CORDIS pages, thus reinforcing the visual and navigational coherence of CORDIS as a whole, and making it easier for users to move around the site in their quest for the latest R&D information.
Quality validation date: 2008-09-16

CORDIS launches Regional Research and Innovation Service for Liguria

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 00:00:01 GMT

As part of its Regional Gateway service, CORDIS, the Community Research and Development Information Service, has launched a Regional Research and Innovation Service for the Italian region of Liguria. The service highlights the research and development (R&D) sector and the infrastructural assets of this region in the north-west of Italy, spanning 350 kilometres of coast, from the French border to the gulf of Genoa to Tuscany. In the 'Introduction' section, Liguria's tourist industry assets are presented, followed by a detailed account of its infrastructure and economy, 80% of which are in the service sector. In addition, the information and communication technologies (ICT) and high-tech sectors in Liguria are strong, making up 6.6% of active businesses, with 61% of these concentrated in the province of Genoa. Taking up fifth position in the ranking of Italian regions on the Regional Innovation Scoreboard (RIS), Liguria is stronger when it comes to the percentage of population with post-secondary education (coming third in Italy), medium- to high-technology sector employment (fifth) and high-tech patents lodged (fourth). However, public funding is more substantial than private funding. The research and development (R&D) section of the new regional service explains that the regional situation originates from a weak enterprise system, with insufficient economic-financial resources, human resources and time for investing in R&D as a strategy for expansion. However, the region recognises that research and innovation form a main engine for its development, and is attempting to promote the two. Under the Innovation heading, the new regional service provides more information on research centres, companies and support structures in the region. Further organisations of interest can be found in the 'Links' section, while the 'What's new?' heading summarises research and innovation events in and around Liguria.
Quality validation date: 2008-08-14

Regional Research and Innovation Service for Hamburg now online

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 00:00:01 GMT

Up-to-date information on the German region of Hamburg and its strengths in the research and innovation sector is now available on CORDIS, the Community Research and Development Information Service. The Hamburg Region Research and Innovation Service has just been launched, with an introduction providing extensive information about the second largest city in Germany, located on the River Elbe and close to the shores of the North Sea. Beside its sea port, which is the largest in Germany, Hamburg is known for its strong industry and its important role in media and telecommunication services. The technological focus, however, is on the aerospace and medical industries reflected by many international companies present in the city. In research and development (R&D), Hamburg's strength lies in marine, climate and environmental research, material sciences, research on nanostructures, laser physics, particle physics, synchrotron radiation, medicinal biotechnology, and information and communication technologies. Due to its traditional role as a sea port, Hamburg was previously focused on trade and services. More recently, it has been following a new metropolitan concept, one of the leitmotifs being 'Hamburg - Metropolis of Knowledge'; this is an attempt to strengthen Hamburg as a research and university location. More details can be found in the 'Innovation' section of the new service. In the 'What's new?' section, the service shows information on research- and innovation-related events. Finally, an extensive list of links gives direct access to the most important research and innovation actors, including regional authorities, research institutes, networks and technology transfer organisations.
Quality validation date: 2008-08-13