EU research collaborations with Chile
Chile is a country friendly with Europe, and shares certain research interests, including Antarctic science. Thus, Chile and Europe are working to build research collaborations. The EU-funded project CEST+I(opens in new window) (Chile-European Union STI initiative) facilitated such cooperation. Specific goals included creating networks, raising awareness, supporting policy dialogue and training stakeholders. The four-member consortium also contributed to implementation of the Joint Initiative for Research and Innovation (JIRI) between the EU and Latin America and the Caribbean. Work involved development of policy dialogue between Chile and the EU and analysis of initiatives for scaling up bilateral and multilateral cooperation. The result was new platforms for coordinating Chilean activity with EU Member States and among EU liaison offices in Latin America. Further analysis detailed Chile's participation in the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7). The project created several networks between Chilean and EU researchers and a catalogue of opportunities for EU researchers intending to develop linkages. Travel and working funds enabled Chilean National Contact Points to attend networking and information events. The Liaison Office also supported the training of university research offices regarding Horizon 2020. The group also collaborated with other EU Liaison Offices in Latin America. Team members developed Chile's innovation capacity. The project studied patenting systems in Chile and the EU, and organised a two-day joint workshop with the Chilean National Institute of Intellectual Property (INAPI). CEST+I organised exchanges between EU knowledge transfer offices and European Technology Platforms and their Chilean counterparts. The project also produced an online Map of Excellence for Chile. CEST+I developed collaborations between Chile and the EU. Such efforts included creation of new liaison networks and support for Chilean innovation.