Policy

Image of atoms and electrons. © Shutterstock/ Sergey Nivens

06 January 2014

Researchers forecast cancer treatments and atomic-scale modelling in 2014

Radical new treatments for cancer could be available in hospitals in 2014, while quantum computing could allow scientists to model chemical reactions at the atomic level for the first time – these are some of the predictions made by researchers in Horizon’s poll of major developments this year.

A montage image of the different science and research events covered by Horizon over the year.

policy | innovation union

23 December 2013

A year in EU science and research

From an initiative to replicate a fully functioning human brain, to the launch of Horizon 2020, the EU’s biggest-ever funding programme for research and innovation, we look back over a year in EU-funded research.

End of the signing ceremony of the Public Private Partnership on Factories of the Future (FoF): Dr Massimo Mattucci from Italian industrial firm COMAU, on the left, Maurizio Gattiglio, Executive Vice-President for Strategic Business Development at Prima Industrie S.p.A. and Chairman of the European Factories of the Future Research Association (EFFRA), in the centre, and Vice-President Neelie Kroes, the European Commissioner responsible for the Digital Agenda, on the right.

industry | policy | horizon 2020

19 December 2013

EU teams up with industry to support strategic sectors and generate jobs

The EU has teamed up with companies to help keep Europe’s position in sectors such as construction, robotics, photonics, high-performance computing and telecoms, create jobs, and tackle some of society’s big challenges.

Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, European Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science, announced the new funding during a news conference in Brussels on 11 December.

horizon 2020 | policy

12 December 2013

EU offers EUR 15 billion to fund research in 2014, 2015

The EU has invited researchers to apply for the first part of its biggest-ever research funding programme, Horizon 2020, marking a major milestone for Europe as it seeks to create the jobs it needs to grow its way out of the financial crisis.

Professor Bruno Siciliano, professor of control and robotics at the University of Naples Federico II, believes that robots can make Europe more competitive and create jobs.

opinion | horizon 2020 | ict | policy

04 December 2013

Robotics 2020: a challenge and a target for Europe

Professor Bruno Siciliano specialises in control and robotics at the University of Naples Federico II and is a past president of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Robotics and Automation Society. He believes that robots can make Europe more competitive, creating jobs.

Horizon 2020 will support early-stage research in Europe. © Inserm

policy | horizon 2020

22 November 2013

Europe to tackle society’s challenges with biggest-ever research programme

Europe is poised to launch its biggest-ever research and innovation funding package in order to take on some of society's biggest challenges such as the need for green transport and clean energy, while at the same time creating jobs.

A young female participant at the Global Youth to Business Forum in the lecture theatre of Moscow School of Management in Skolkovo, Moscow, Russia. © Shutterstock/ Pavel L

policy | science in society | women in science

08 November 2013

Qualified women still opting out of career in science, says study

The growing number of female doctoral graduates in the European Union is not reflected in the number of women taking up senior science research positions. The GENDERA project looked into the matter.

he sentinel programme will provide real-time data on the earth. © European Space Agency

space | environment | policy

07 October 2013

Keeping a watchful eye over earth

Europe’s new fleet of observation satellites will monitor the earth in real time, giving vital data on things like sea ice, pollution and crop maturity as part of the EU's earth monitoring programme that also includes sensors on the ground, at sea and in the air.

Günther Oettinger, European Commissioner for Energy, addresses representatives of ITER Member States at the construction site on 6 September 2013. Image courtesy of ITER

energy | policy | industry

04 October 2013

World powers back hotter-than-the-sun reactor

Ministers representing many of the world's main economic powers met on 6 September 2013 to show their support for one of the world’s most ambitious scientific experiments – a nuclear fusion reactor that will operate at temperatures ten times hotter than the core of the sun.

The European country with the highest number of international research connections is the United Kingdom.

policy

05 August 2013

Using algorithms to link-up researchers

Scientists are developing algorithms that can connect researchers across the world who have similar interests by scanning the content of academic papers.

Policy