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The European Union, its Member States and countries associated to its research and innovation programme, Horizon Europe, have joined forces in a new European Partnership on Rare Diseases (ERDERA). Launched under Horizon Europe, ERDERA’s aim is to transform the landscape of rare disease research across the continent and deliver significant health benefits to the estimated over 30 million people in Europe affected by rare diseases through improved prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

On 9 September, Mario Draghi, former President of the European Central Bank, presented his long-awaited report on the future of European competitiveness. Consisting of two parts (Part A: A competitiveness strategy for Europe; Part B: In-depth analysis and recommendations), the report identifies three main areas where urgent action is needed to revitalise sustainable growth.

On 18-19 September 2024, the European Research Area Stakeholder Conference 2024 will take place in Brussels, organised by the European Commission, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, with the support of the Horizon Europe INSPIRING ERA project.

The prize is open to universities, higher education institutions, and other research performing organisations (public or private), established in an EU Member State or a Third Country associated to Horizon Europe. There are three categories open for submission: Sustainable, Newcomer and Inclusive. Deadline to apply is 16 October and each winner will receive a €100,000 prize. The Award was created under Horizon Europe to recognise the outstanding results achieved by academic and research organisations in the implementation of Gender Equality Plans.

Further information can be found here.

Source: EU Commission

The European Commission's Directorate-General for Research and Innovation has published a new evaluation of lump sum funding in Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe. The report is based on data from Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe projects, as well as a survey of successful and unsuccessful applicants and evaluators.

Today, the European Commission launched a call for nominations of scientists to be shortlisted for future membership of the Group of Chief Scientific Advisors (GCSA). The group provides high-quality, timely and independent scientific advice to the College of European Commissioners on any subject, including on policy issues that the European Parliament and the Council consider to be of major importance.

Following the first round of the EIC Accelerator 2024 in March, the European Innovation Council (EIC) has selected 68 European companies in a highly competitive process for funding that combines grants and equity. Eight of the thirteen German companies are from Bavaria. BayFOR has successfully supported one of them.

On 8 July, the EU Commission has published the recent edition of the European Innovation Scoreboard which (based on 32 indicators) provides a comparative assessment of the innovation performance of EU Member States and selected competitors. Compared to 2023, fifteen EU Member States saw an increase of their innovation performance in 2024, while it has declined for eleven member states (one, Croatia, remained stable).
 

The European Commission has published an Indicative Audit Programme (IAP), which applies to the EU-funded programmes 2021-2027 and thus also to Horizon Europe. The document defines the general principles and standards for conducting financial project audits. It also contains details on the on-site audit process and the audit steps for the individual cost categories as well as the risk analysis prior to an audit.

Following five years of intense research, the Circular Flooring consortium has proven that it is possible to produce plasticiser-free PVC recyclates from end-of-life flexible floor coverings. The solvent-based recycling process, which is operated with CreaSolv® formulations¹ jointly developed by Fraunhofer IVV and CreaCycle, can efficiently remove critical legacy plasticisers from waste PVC flooring. BayFOR successfully supported the Circular Flooring consortium in preparing its application for EU funding. As a project partner, it also provided the consortium with guidance on project management and communication activities.
 

The new image film for the EU project Circular Flooring has just been released. It gives an insight into the project and the future of PVC recycling.