"The main objective of the project ""Building-up Centre of Excellence for advanced materials application"" (CEMEA) in the long run is to establish a joint Centre of Excellence for advanced materials application (CEMEA) based on long-term strategic cooperation between VTT (Technical Research Centre of Finland) and UH (University of Helsinki, Finland) on the one hand and Slovenska akademia vied (Slovak Academy of Sciences, SAS, Slovakia) on the other. Project specific objectives of the one-year action include:
- Elaboration of robust business plan for the new CEMEA Centre of Excellence in line with the long-term vision
- Market search among SMEs in Slovakia concerning plausible technology transfers and cooperation on applied research
- Enable networking CEMEA project with academic institutions in Slovakia, Finland and other countries to provide excellent education and training system (as a part of communication, dissemination and exploitation activities)
- Elaboration of detailed Financing plan of the CEMEA Centre of Excellence combining various sources – national funding (structural and state funds), private funding, other HORIZON 2020 instruments and other national/international grants in various combinations
- Elaboration of detailed Knowledge Management and Knowledge Transfer Plans concerning the system of communication and circulation of knowledge and expertise, including training and education system of the Centre
- Analysis and Evaluation of socio-economic impacts and risks related to development and use of advanced materials in Slovakia
Mission of the Centre is to ensure sustainable financing and quality of research in the field of advanced materials and related fields in Slovakia, bring and nurture the culture of scientific excellence in Slovakia and to leverage support under HORIZON 2020 and other available funding opportunities. CEMEA´s research focus aligns with Smart Specialization Strategy of the Slovak Republic (RIS3) by focusing on areas of specialisation based on best available scientific and research capacities (identified in RIS3). In particular, CEMEA´s focus is on advanced materials research in three application areas:
- nanotechnologies,
- biomedicine and biotechnology,
- sustainable energy.
Research findings of CEMEA will be applicable in areas of economic specialisation identified in RIS3 of the Slovak Republic.
Long term objectives of CEMEA comprise increasing human potential, strengthening of international cooperation, increasing quality of research, increased participation in Horizon 2020, improved intellectual property management and transfer of knowledge to industry with emphasis on collaboration with local end-users. The Centre will operate in three fields:
1. Basic (core) research;
2. Applied research (technology transfers) in cooperation with industrial partners;
3. Training and education program in cooperation with academic partners (PhD studies, post-doc studies, young scientists support and exchange, senior researchers fellowships program).
The aim of the 1st stage of the project with the duration of 1 year was elaboration of main documents necessary for successful operation of the CEMEA Centre of excellence and the composition of the relevant Business Plan."
