European Highlights, Research, Innovation, Education, Entrepreneurship
Winners announced: EuChemS Historical Landmarks Awards 2019
Each year, EuChemS has an open call for a Historical Landmark Award, to recognise various sights of cultural heritage that are significant for the history of Chemistry. As some European countries already have a national landmark programme, two levels of EuChemS Historical Landmarks are foreseen: European (for major initiatives that have impact at the European level) and regional (for local initiatives significant for a particular region).
This year, the European level award goes to the Mines of Almaden in Spain, an exemplary historic mining site producing mercury, while the regional level award was given to Edessa Cannabis Factory Museum in Greece, which used to be a standard industrial unit, making ropes and twine from Indian hemp.
Finalists of the 2020 European Young Chemists’ Award (EYCA) announced!
The European Award Committee for the EuChemS-EYCN Award (EYCAC) has selected finalists for the Early Career Researcher level and the PhD level, in recognition of the exceptional research in various fields of chemical sciences. The full list of the finalists is available!
Read the full article here.
Chemistry in Europe 2020-3 newsletter is online!
On 31 July, the quarterly EuChemS newsletter CiE2020-3 has been released. It includes an editorial from MEP Maria Spyraki, various policy and research updates, testimonies from Chemists across Europe about the adaptations to COVID-19 measures, and many other engaging topics.
You are kindly invited to scroll through the CiE 2020-3 here.
EU long-term budget deal must be improved for EP to accept it
The recovery fund proposed by the Parliament in May has been well accepted by EU leaders who are calling it a “historic move for the EU”. However, MEPs have communicated their complaints concerning the massive cuts to the grant components and the future-oriented programmes, as their concern is that they will “undermine the foundations of a sustainable and resilient recovery”. MEPs are prepared to withhold their consent to the long-term budget unless the deal is improved.
EYCN at the European Research and Innovation Days
EuChemS European Young Chemists’ Network (EYCN) will take an active part and contribute to the session on “Sustainability by Design” during European Research and Innovation Days. If you are interested to join this event that brings together policymakers, researchers, entrepreneurs, and citizens to debate and shape the future of research and innovation in Europe and beyond, you can follow their website for more information.
Jean-Pierre Bourguignon appointed President ad interim of the ERC
The European Commission (EC) appointed Professor Jean-Pierre Bourguignon as the President of the European Research Council (ERC) for an interim period until the next ERC President takes office. This re-selection has been well received across Europe, considering his previous position as the President of the ERC from 2014-2019, which was already his 2nd term.
How is the EU making sure perfluoroalkyl chemicals (PFAS) don’t stick around?
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large family of synthetic chemicals that are widely used throughout society and thus found in the environment (groundwater, surface water, soil, and food). As all PFAS contain carbon-fluorine bonds, one of the strongest chemical bonds in organic chemistry, they are known to persist in the environment longer than any other man-made substance. Some PFAS have already been regulated globally by the Stockholm Convention for more than 10 years, while the manufacture and use of some PFAS are already restricted under REACH.
Read the full article here.
Consultations & Roadmap
European Commission Public Consultations
A number of consultations put forward by the European Commission are currently open:
- ‘Food safety – feed additives (clearer information)’
Deadline: 28 August 2020 - ‘Water pollution – EU rules on urban wastewater treatment (update)’
Deadline: 8 September 2020 - ‘EU renewable energy rules – review’
Deadline: 21 September 2020
European Chemicals Agency Consultations
A number of consultations put forward by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) are currently open.
You can take a look at them here.
European Food Safety Agency Public Consultations
A number of consultations put forward by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) are currently open.
You can take a look at it here.
Fundings, Nominations & Awards
Marie Sklodowska-Curie (MSCA) open calls
Currently two calls are open:
1. Individual Fellowships 2020
Deadline: 09 September 2020
2. Co-funding of regional, national, and international programmes 2020
Deadline: 29 September 2020
ERC Advanced Grant
Researchers who would like to compete for an ERC Advanced Grant have until 26 August 2020 to apply for the next round of funding.
Currently two calls are open:
1. ERC Advanced Grants
Deadline: 26 August 2020
2. Proof of Concept Grant
Deadline: 17 September 2020
More information about it here.
EuChemS Events
In the current environment and status of COVID-19, some events recognised by EuChemS are being postponed or cancelled.
EuChemS Events calendar is being updated on a regular basis.
If you planned to attend an event, you can check more about it here.
18th Ružička days – “Today science – tomorrow industry”
16-18 September 2020, Vukovar Croatia
Website: see here
2020 EuChemS General Assembly
24 September 2020, Online Event
Website: www.euchems.eu
2020 EuChemS Professional Networks (PNs) annual meeting
29 September 2020, online event (Zoom meeting)
Visit the website!
Read the full BNU newsletter here
EuChemS aisbl - Rue du Trône 62, 1050, Brussels, Belgium; www.euchems.eu. Produced for EuChemS by Nineta Hrastelj, Laura Jousset and Jelena Lazić. This newsletter has been carefully prepared and only contains correct information to the best of EuChemS´ knowledge, however this does not exclude the possibility of existence of incorrect information. EuChemS cannot be liable for the use or misuse of any information, whether correct or incorrect, present at this newsletter. Intellectual property belongs to its rightful owners, always explicitly traceable on each article. Compilation Copyright © 2020 EuChemS
Céline Wittwer, SCS
18.08.2020