Aeronautical research cooperation gains new heights
The 'Central european aeronautical research network events' (Ceares-net) project was established to enable aeronautical research establishments, universities and companies in central Europe to cooperate, and to integrate more effectively into the European research arena. This constituted an important initiative in light of the aeronautical research potential (until recently, largely unnoticed) of central eastern Europe, an area largely fragmented in terms of research cooperation over the last two decades. Previous efforts to correct this situation include the EU's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) 'Central European Aeronautical Research Initiative' (Ceares). Project members realised their objectives through the organisation of two workshops timed for upcoming European Commission Aeronautics and Air Transport (AAT) calls for proposals. Held in Vienna, before the fourth AAT call for proposals, and in Warsaw, relative to the fifth AAT call for proposals, the workshops attracted much interest and were attended by European Commission representatives, local authorities and many local experts. In addition to the FP AAT calls, other topics included infrastructural funds and bilateral cooperation, as well as related European research projects. Ceares-net succeeded in deepening the connections founded through the already established Ceares Network, and brought new partners into the fold. In this way, the current project effectively developed a 'living' network that supports bilateral or multilateral research cooperation in various fields. This will boost collaborative efforts both within the region as well as between central Europe and other European regions. The project's outcomes contribute to information sharing, advancing common research topics, FP7 participation and European Research Area (ERA) integration.
