Newsletters   Subscription   Contributions       Newsletter issue n° 16 - August 09

EDITORIAL NOTES

The European Commission calls for proposals under the Work Programme 2010 'Cooperation', Theme 6 - Environment (including Climate Change) of the 7th EC Framework Programme for Research, Technological Development and Demonstration Activities. In 2010, the aim is to continue supporting the main environmental policy and S&T drivers in the area of climate and environmental change, their consequences and the link to other sectors such as energy, transport, agriculture etc. Furthermore, the goal is to address concretely several new policy drivers such as European Economic Recovery Plan, The Energy-Climate Package as well as by taking into account the Strategic Agenda of the Community Lisbon Programme (2008-2010), in particular the '10 key objectives'. Further information on the modalities of the calls, the work programmes, deadlines and budgets and the guidance for applicants on how to submit proposals are available through the CORDIS website (see details, please, under the column of the "Open Calls" below)
 
The full text of the Environmental Technology Research Newsletter issue no. 16 - August 2009 is now available at the http://circa.europa.eu/Public/irc/rtd/eesdwatkeact/info/data/etr_index.htm website.

OPEN CALLS

FP7-ENV-2010 Environment (including climate change) Call

Call Reference: OJ C177 of 30 July 2009
Deadline: 05 January 2010

The call allocates €170 000 000 million for research topics (49 topics) in all the four activities of the Theme:
 
Activity 6.1: Climate change, pollution and risks
Activity 6.2: Sustainable management of resources
Activity 6.3: Environmental technologies
Activity 6.4: Earth observation and assessment tools for sustainable development
 
Among those topics are actions to promote industrial and SME participation, specific actions to reinforce international cooperation (international cooperation is supported and encouraged throughout all areas), dissemination actions to strengthen the visibility, effectiveness and uptake of EU research results, and Era-Nets in the field of 'Biodiversity',  'Eco innovation' and 'Water management'. In addition, in this call, several "bottom-up" topics have been introduced to further explore new and innovative approaches and to encourage participation of stakeholders including the SME and industrial participation. Finally, several cross-cutting actions between various Themes of the FP7 Cooperation programme have been foreseen in order to encourage pluri-disciplinarity in marine sciences and technologies (Ocean for tomorrow call), strengthen Africa's research base and the EU-African Union scientific partnership (Africa call) and participate in actions within the European recovery package (Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), on "Energy-efficient Buildings" and "Green cars").

FP7-Africa-2010 Africa Call

Call Reference: OJ C177 of 30 July 2009
Deadline: 14 January 2010
Budget: € 63 000 000

The Africa call represents a great opportunity for strengthening Africa's research capacity to cope with water, food security and health problems. The call is structured around two major issues: Water and Food Security, and, Better Health for Africa. It has a multi-disciplinary approach involving various scientific and technological research fields, such as food, agriculture, health, land and water resources, including their interaction with climate change, and integrating broader socio-economic factors, such as, migration and resettlements, urbanisation, health care systems and programme interventions, destabilisation of national food reserves, variations of food and oil prices, etc. Research activities are intended to strengthen local capacities. The involvement of local stakeholders and regional actors is of paramount importance to achieving the expected impacts. Funded projects will provide high quality research collaboration and results, innovative management, governance tools and technologies suitable for the relevant authorities and stakeholders, empowering them to reduce poverty, increase food security and enhance public health. Further expected benefits are related to the promotion of academic research and training, the setting up of health research networks and the strengthening of the science and technology potential for efficient water management and the protection of natural ecosystems in Africa. The call is implemented jointly by the following Themes of FP7 Cooperation programme: 'Health'; 'Food, Agriculture and fisheries, and Biotechnology'; 'Environment (including Climate Change)'. The total call budget is €63 000 000. To see the full details of the call, please consult the following web address:
http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/dc/index.cfm?fuseaction=UserSite.FP7DetailsCallPage&call_id=268 

FP7 Joint Technology Initiatives (Annex IV-SP1) Calls: FCH JU Call for Proposals 2009 Part 1
 
Areas called: (i) Area SP1-JTI-FCH.1: Transportation & Refuelling Infrastructure; (ii) Area SP1-JTI-FCH.2: Hydrogen Production & Distribution; (iii) Area SP1-JTI-FCH.3: Stationary Power Generation & CHP; (iv) Area SP1-JTI-FCH.4: Early Markets; (v) Area SP1-JTI-FCH.5: Cross-cutting Issues. Calls for Proposals will be selective. There will be competition, based on quality and excellence, between proposals primarily, but nor exclusively, within activity areas, which may result in some topics not being supported in a given call. For more information...

EUROPEAN INITIATIVES

Conference of the Swedish presidency of the Council of the European Union on "New worlds - new solutions - research and innovation as a basis for developing Europe in a global context"
 
The Swedish presidency of the Council of the European Union organised a Conference on "New worlds - new solutions - research and innovation as a basis for developing Europe in a global context" in Lund, Sweden on 7th-8th July 2009. The detailed programme including Speakers, press releases and documents of the of the Conference can be a found at the website:
http://www.se2009.eu/en/meetings_news/2009/7/7/new_worlds_new_solutions_research_and_innovation_as_a_basis_for_developing_europe_in_a_global_context  

PAST and COMING EVENTS

Gender in Research Toolkit and Training. Gender in research as a mark of excellence. Training courses and information sessions in Brussels from June to October 2009
 
The 7th Framework Programme strives to promote gender equality in scientific research by facilitating the participation of women scientists and integrating the gender dimension into research content in all research areas. The toolkit and training packages will give the research community practical tools to integrate gender aspects into FP7 research including equal opportunities for women and man, and the gender dimension of research, thereby contributing to excellence in research. Courses will be organised in Brussels from September 2009 until December 2010. The one-day training sessions consist of a general introduction to gender in research in the morning, while in the afternoon two specific research fields are addressed with practical exercises in parallel sessions....

Networking Event in the field of water management and sanitation Europe – Africa – EECA. FFG - Austrian Research Promotion Agency, Vienna, Austria, 16-17 September 2009
 
In order to continue the dialogue between Europe, Africa and EECA on networking and cooperation an International Workshop will be organised in Vienna in mid-September this year. The Workshop in the frame of FP6 Project INT-ER-LINK aims to disseminate the project results and to facilitate networking with R&D and development cooperation players from Member States, Associated Candidate Countries, African and EECA Countries with focus on water management and sanitation. The second day will be a brokerage event...

Info Day on FP7-ENV-2010 Environment (including climate change) Call. Centre Albert Borschette, Brussels, 17 September 2009

The aim of the Call FP7-ENV-2010 is to continue supporting the main environmental policy and S&T drivers in the area of climate and environmental change, their consequences and the link to other sectors such as energy, transport, agriculture etc. Furthermore, the goal is to address concretely several new policy drivers such as the development of a post-2012 climate agreement, the Adaptation White Paper, the Communications on prevention and disaster risk reduction, the European Economic Recovery Plan, the Energy-Climate Package as well as the Renewed Lisbon Agenda by taking into account the Strategic Agenda of the Community Lisbon Programme (CLP) (2008-2010) particularly the '10 key objectives' including...

Info Day on FP7-Africa-2010 Africa Call. Centre Albert Borschette, Brussels, 18 September 2009

The Info Day on the Africa Call will be opened by the European Commissioner for Science and Research, Janez Potočnik and a representative from the African Union. The EU-AFRICA Strategic Partnership has paved the way to this call (implemented jointly by the Themes: ‘Health’, ‘Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, and Biotechnology’ and ‘Environment (including climate change)’ of the 7th Framework Programme), which will fund projects aimed at enhancing African socio-economic development and capacity building. The call is structured around two major areas: (i) Water and Food Security and (ii) Better Health for Africa. It has a holistic approach involving various scientific and technological research fields, such as...

Forest Based Sector - Towards Progressive Future. International Conference, Krtiny, Brno Czech Republik, 8-10 October 2009

The conference will bring together researchers, policy makers, environmentalists and experienced persons from all over the world in discussion about the Forest Based Sector. The aim is also to present recent advances and to review the state-of-the art, techniques and methods related to the Forest Based Sector. The management of forests influences carbon sequestration and the production of biomass that can be used for substitution of fossil fuels. Additionally, climate change may affect future management practices. Site requirements for certain species may shift and new potential risks may have to be considered when designing future management programs. The conference will focus on a wide range of issues and areas relating to all aspects of the Forest Based Sector. For more information...

8th Aachen Conference Water and Membranes, Membranes in water and waste water treatment, Eurogress Aachen, Germany, 27 – 28 October 2009

The Chair of Chemical Process Engineering (AVT, Aachener Verfahrenstechnik) and the Institute for Water and Waste Management (ISA, Institut für Siedlungswasserwirtschaft) as the organisers invite all interested operators, producers and scientists to the well-known AACHEN CONFERENCE WATER AND MEMBRANES, formerly known as Aachener Tagung Siedlungswasserwirtschaft und Verfahrenstechnik. The conference will focus on the application of membrane technology in the field of drinking water and waste water treatment. The following keynote lectures...

From research to business. Annual Conference of the Forest-based Industry Technology Platform, Stockholm, 9-11 November 2009

This is the 6th FTP conference since the start of the Forest-based sector Technology Platform. As it is almost a year and a half since the last conference, it will offer a meeting point for the sector as well as an excellent possibility for networking. From research to business is the theme for the FTP Conference 2009 in Stockholm. A large number of fruitful results from research will be presented...

WATEC 09: The 2nd International Conference and the 5th International Water Technologies & Environmental Control Exhibition, Tel Aviv, Israel, 17-19 November 2009

The conference and exhibition "WATEC 09" is the international showcase of technologies, products, and services to support a sustainable economy. With water and energy challenges at the top of the global agenda, "WATEC 09" features compelling solutions and proven, practical applications in areas such as water and energy efficiency, water quality, desalination, and water supply. Hosting participants from the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa, and Australia, the exhibition is a unique opportunity to discover the latest innovations...

NORMAN Workshop on Mixtures and metabolites of chemicals of emerging concern. VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 18-19 November 2009

This workshop is planned to be a wide-scope workshop, addressing people at the "interface between science and policy", and aimed at providing an overview of the critical issues going from fate of emerging pollutants (methods for studying transformation, metabolisation, etc.), to the progress in: monitoring / analytical techniques, metabolites prediction and validation of predictive models, metabolites toxicity, risk assessment. Given the close link between the two topics, the workshop will start with an overview of the fate, toxicity and emerging research questions in the broader area of mixtures of chemicals. Sessions to be covered are...

MODELKEY - How to assess the impact of key pollutants in aquatic ecosystems. The Final Conference of the FP6 IP MODELKEY project. The Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ in Leipzig, Germany, 30 November to 2 December 2009

The FP6 IP MODELKEY invites European scientists and stakeholders for its final conference “MODELKEY - How to assess the impact of key pollutants in aquatic ecosystems”. This event will take place from 30 November to 2 December 2009 at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ in Leipzig, Germany. MODELKEY scientists and outstanding invited experts will provide their view on the highlights of five years of research for linking adverse effects on biological quality elements to environmental pollution in a multiply stressed environment. Novel approaches will be presented...

PUBLICATIONS and AVAILABLE DOCUMENTS

FORCE: the new on-line FORM C editor for FP6 and FP7 research projects (Presentation)
 
The FORCE is a Web based tool to edit and submit Forms C, both for FP-6 and FP-7 research projects. For FP6 projects is still possible to prepare and submit Forms C by Excel sheets as before, but from now on the new Web based application is also available. For FP7 research projects the only way to submit Forms C in the future will be the Web based application FORCE. Both Coordinators and Beneficiaries have access to this new version. Beneficiaries have only access to their own Forms C, while the Coordinator has access to all Forms C. Access rights for the Coordinator...

Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU) rules for submission of proposals, and the related evaluation, selection and award procedures (Adopted by the FCH JU Governing Board on 26 September 2008)
 
This document establishes the rules of the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU) for the proposals submission, and the related evaluation, selection and award procedures, in relation to the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (FP7). It describes the basic procedures that the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking will follow in accordance with its Financial Rules. The document is based on the provisions of the FP7 “Rules for submission of proposals and the related evaluation, selection and award procedures". The FCH JU publishes calls for proposals based on...
 
Checklist for a Consortium Agreement for Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU) projects
 
This checklist is aimed at assisting participants in an FCH JU-funded project to identify issues that may arise during the project and which may be facilitated or governed by means of a Consortium Agreement (CA). The checklist is provided for information purposes only and its contents are not intended to replace consultation of any applicable legal sources or the necessary advice of a legal expert, where appropriate. The FCH JU is not party to the CA and takes no responsibility whatsoever of the contents of the CA signed between participants. The CA is an agreement made between participants in an indirect action (i.e. a project) receiving financial contribution from the FCH JU to...

NEGOTIATION GUIDANCE NOTES for Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU) Collaborative Projects, Coordination and Support Actions.
 
This document is aimed at assisting participants who are invited for project negotiation following the evaluation of their proposal. It outlines the information and procedures in the negotiation process. It is provided for information purposes only and its contents are not intended to replace consultation of any applicable legal sources or the necessary advice of a legal expert, where appropriate. According to Article 16 of the FCH JU Regulation the Commission shall be responsible for the establishment and initial operation of the FCH Joint Undertaking until the Joint Undertaking has the operational capacity to implement its own budget...

Preserving our heritage, improving our environment – 20 years of EU research into cultural heritage, 33 pp; OPOCE, Luxembourg, 2008; EUR 22050; ISBN 978-92-79-09027-1; DOI 10.2777/17146
 
The first volume of this publication highlights nearly 20 years of European Commission-supported research in the field of ‘tangible’ or physical cultural heritage. This cooperation has helped reinforce Europe’s research and technological foundations for protecting and renovating our movable and immovable cultural heritage through new scientific methodologies, tools, materials and processes. In particular Volume 1 provides the reader with an overview of the EU’s commitment to research in cultural heritage, the different forms of scientific and research cooperation and how they have developed over the years. The impact of such cooperative efforts also includes their economic contribution to the Lisbon Strategy and affects a wide range of related EU policies embracing the environment, tourism, the construction sector...
 

RTD RESULTS: USE, EXPLOITATION AND COMMUNICATION EXPERIENCES

FP6 MODELKEY (511237): Models for Assessing and Forecasting the Impact of Environmental Key Pollutants on Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems and Biodiversity
 
Water is an inherited good that has to be protected and used in a sustainable way. Thus, the EU Water Framework Directive demands for a good ecological and chemical status of European rivers and lakes by 2015. However, evidence is increasing that a majority of European water bodies will not achieve this goal. Since most of them face a multi-pressure situation the identification of driving forces for insufficient ecological status is an enormous challenge for water managers. Toxic pollution is considered by monitoring 41 priority and other pollutants for the chemical status but widely ignored as a potential driving force for insufficient ecological status. The MODELKEY project is funded by EC 6th FP with the aim of providing tools to assess the impact of environmental pollutants on the ecological status of European surface waters. MODELKEY developed a valuable set of models and tools for...

FP6 ORFEUS (036856): Optimised Radar to Find Every Utility in the Street

The project has been started in November 2006 and will be ended in April 2010. The project has two aims: (i) to provide a step change in the performance of Ground Probing Radar (GPR) systems, and (ii) to develop a radar sensor that can be deployed on the drill heads of Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) equipment. This will lead to practical solutions for locating buried infrastructure with accuracy and reliability that can be implemented in a cost effective manner. It will also reduce the need for excavations in the highway, thus minimising direct and indirect costs, reducing the incidence of pollution, and enhance safety. The surface and bore-head radar developments are supported by a comprehensive series of measurements of the ground to determine its complex permittivity over a representative range of environmental conditions. This will provide design data both for the technical tasks and the selection criteria for choosing test sites. The results achieved during the 3rd year of the project are...

Follow up activities of the FP6 NORMAN (018486 ) project

The need to look beyond the traditional target pollutants when assessing the hazards of chemicals to human health and to ecosystems is now generally recognised as a priority issue in all policy areas at both the European and national level. Emerging substances are therefore a field of increasing interest in environmental research and monitoring. The NORMAN project – Network of reference laboratories and related organisations for monitoring and bio-monitoring of emerging environmental pollutants – was funded by DG RTD under the 6th Framework Programme with the aims of improving the exchange of data and information on emerging substances on a global scale and allowing the production of data of better quality and comparability by means of the validation and harmonisation of common measurement methods. The outcomes of the project include three databases...
 

NEW FP7 RESEARCH PROJECTS

FP7 NEW ED (227004): Advanced bipolar membrane processes for remediation of highly saline waste water streams
 
NEW ED aims at closing industrial water cycles and reducing the amount of waste water streams with highly concentrated salt loads stemming from a broad range of industrial production processes by exploiting the waste components (salts) and transforming them to valuable products. This will be achieved by developing new micro- to nano-porous bipolar membranes for bipolar electrodialysis (BPMED), a new membrane module concept and by integrating this new technology into relevant production processes. The bipolar membrane process produces acids and bases from their corresponding salts by dissociating water at the interface within the bipolar membranes. However...

FP7 AQUAREHAB (226565): Development of rehabilitation technologies and approaches for multi-pressured degraded waters and the integration of their impact on river basin management
 
Within the AQUAREHAB project, different innovative rehabilitation technologies for soil, groundwater and surface water will be developed to cope with a number of hazardous (nitrates, pesticides, chlorinated and aromatic compounds, mixed pollutions,…) within heavily degraded water systems. The technologies are activated riparian zones/wetlands; smart biomass containing carriers for treatment of water in open trenches; in-situ technologies to restore degraded surface water by inhibiting influx of pollutants from groundwater to surface water; multifunctional permeable barriers and injectable Fe-based particles for rehabilitation of groundwater. Methods will be developed to determine the (long-term) impact of the innovative rehabilitation technologies...

FP7 CLIMATE FOR CULTURE (226973): Damage risk assessment, macroeconomic impact and mitigation strategies for sustainable preservation of cultural heritage in the times of climate change

Climate change is one of the most critical global challenges of our time which also threatens cultural heritage. As a non-renewable important resource to the European identity, sustainable adaptation strategies are required for long term preservation. For this purpose and for the first time ever, the CLIMATE FOR CULTURE project will couple completely new high resolution (10x10km) climate change evolution scenarios with whole building simulation models to identify the risks for specific regions. The innovation lies in the elaboration of a more reliable damage assessment by connecting the future climate data with...

FP7 EU CHIC (226995): European Cultural Heritage Identity Card
Aim: To collect data in a systematic way on heritage buildings across Europe and neighbouring countries; and introduce the Identity Card concept to European Cultural Heritage. It will help in sustainable maintenance, preservation and rehabilitation of historic sites and monuments through the development of strategies and assessment of efficient and user-friendly systems for the screening of alteration of heritage building over time. Methods: The 6 work packages (WP) will be carried out by a multi-disciplinary consortium of highly qualified experts in conservation, architecture, construction and natural and social sciences...

FP7 RISKCYCLE (226552) Risk-based management of chemicals and products in a circular economy at a global scale
 
Many potentially hazardous compounds are traded as chemicals or incorporated as additives in products. Their release to the environment has been a concern of EC, UNO, WHO and OECD. The discussion of the assessment and management of chemicals and products led to the OECD program Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). The World Summit encouraged countries to implement GHS with a view of having the system operating by 2008. The need to form GHS on a global scale is part of EU policy. GHS aims to have the same criteria worldwide to classify the responsible trade and handling of chemicals and at the same time protect human health. The EU will ensure transition from...

FP7 ROCARE (226898): Roman Cements for Architectural Restoration to New High Standards
 
Highly hydraulic binders, known as natural or Roman cements, were key materials to cover façades of buildings of the European Historicism and Art Nouveau (19th/early 20th century), a period of rapid urban growth in Europe. The maintenance, restoration and reconstruction of historic Roman cement façades form therefore an important issue in Europe’s efforts to preserve its architectural heritage. Therefore, the ROCARE project is proposed to provide conditions for the industrial development and commercialisation of Roman cements which is an innovative, promising technology developed at the level of a pilot-scale prototype...
 

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