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Implementation of joint bottom-up European Programmes in chemistry

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Integrating chemistry research in Europe

A European network reinforced cooperation and funding opportunities to researchers across Europe. Through the development of specialised tools and a scientific advisory board, the ERA-CHEMISTRY consortium worked to form a chemistry-related European Research Area (ERA).

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The primary objective of the EU-funded ‘Implementation of joint bottom-up European programmes in chemistry’ (ERA-Chemistry) project was to improve the coherence and coordination across Europe of chemistry research programmes and projects. The consortium envisaged the establishment of an ERA in basic and applied chemistry research overcoming national and research subject boundaries. Among the consortium’s activities was the establishment of a jointly agreed processing and evaluation scheme combined with a common information system and a scientific advisory board for reviewing and funding chemical research in all European countries. Electronic infrastructure facilities that aided communication as well as submission and reviewing of transnational proposals further strengthened the support for transnational cooperation. ERA-Chemistry went a step further and launched open calls for proposals in 2005 and 2007, after thoroughly analysing the existing funding programmes in Europe, and tailoring funding to the partners’ needs and national requirements. Special funding provisions were made for industry-oriented chemical research. Additionally, the project addressed the need for tailor-made European chemistry research conferences, giving an extra opportunity to researchers for networking and establishing collaborations across Europe. Finally, the technology platform Sustainable chemistry (Suschem), with key actors in applied chemical research, ensured the cooperation of ERA-Chemistry with other networks. The ERA-Chemistry network successfully united researchers and provided the much required coordination and funding of chemistry-related research in Europe.

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