European Highlights, Research, Innovation, Education, Entrepreneurship
Winners announced: European Young Chemists' Award (EYCA)
On 26 August, the 12 finalists presented their research results in front of the European Award Committee for the EuChemS Award (EYCAC) and the whole audience during the EYCA Competition Session at the e-YCN@ECC. The event was organised by the European Young Chemists’ Network (EYCN).
The European Award Committee for the EuChemS-EYCN Award (EYCAC) has selected the European Young Chemists’ Award (EYCA) winners for the Early Career Researcher level and the PhD level, in recognition of the exceptional research in various fields of chemical sciences. For both PhD level and the Early Career Researcher level, two awardees were selected: one Gold Medal and one Silver Medal.
Discover the winners of the European Young Chemists’ Award (EYCA) here!
EuChemS on YouTube: watch the videos of two winners of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry — #50yearseuchems
On 3 July 2020, at the celebration of 50 years since the European Chemical Society has been founded, EuChemS had the honour of welcoming not one, but two winners of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry: Professor Jean-Marie Lehn and Professor Ben Feringa. They both gave a memorable speech, which are now available on the EuChemS YouTube channel.
Watch their speeches here!
European Commission launched an Action Plan on Critical Raw Materials
On 3 September 2020, the European Commission presented an Action Plan on Critical Raw Materials. The aim of this plan is to secure the European Union’s access to critical Raw Materials by reducing its dependency on primary critical raw materials and strengthening domestic sourcing of raw materials in the EU to reduce its dependency on third countries.
With the Action Plan on Critical Raw Materials, the European Commission outlines ten actions to achieve these ambitions, the first being the establishment a European Raw Materials Alliance. The European Raw Materials Alliance will bring together relevant stakeholders and will focus on building EU resilience and open strategic autonomy for the rare earths and magnets value chain, such as renewable energy, defence, and space, before extending to other raw material areas.
Read the full article here.
ERC President addressed the European Parliament on the future of EU R&I budget
On 7 September 2020, European Research Council (ERC) President, Jean-Pierre Bourguignon, addressed the European Parliament ITRE Committee (Industry, Research and Energy) on the Future of EU R&I and the long-term EU budget.
The ERC President pointed out the challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic and the reprioritization of the EU political agenda that ensued. In his regard, he highlighted the necessity to focus on long-term actions to tackle the crisis.
Read the full article here.
ENVI Committee voted the EU Climate Law
On 11 September, the European Parliament ENVI Committee (Environment, Public Health and Food Safety) adopted the report on the EU climate law with 46 votes for, 18 against and 17 abstentions. This legal framework proposed by the European Commission in March 2020 aims to implement the 2050 climate neutrality goal and prepare the EU climate target update for 2030.
In addition, MEPs called for a more ambitious 2030 emissions reduction target: emissions should be reduced by 60% in 2030 compared to 1990, instead of “at least 50% towards 55%”, originally proposed by the European Commission. MEPs also want both the EU and all member states individually to become climate neutral by 2050.
Read the article here.
EuroScience Open Forum – ESOF 2020
Half online, half on-site, the scientific event EuroScience Open Forum (ESOF 2020) was hosted in Trieste, the European City of Science 2020. The event took place from 2 to 6 September 2020. ESOF is a biennial, pan-European, general science conference dedicated to scientific R&I. For 5 days, hybrid conferences on the latest advancements and discoveries in the sciences, humanities and social sciences were held in the Northern Italian city and online.
Read our full debrief here.
European Research and Innovation Days
The European Research and Innovation Days is the European Commission’s annual flagship event, bringing together policymakers, researchers, entrepreneurs, and citizens to debate and shape the future of research and innovation in Europe and beyond.
The EuChemS European Young Chemists’ Network (EYCN) will take an active part in the event and contribute to the session on “Sustainability by Design – Embedding sustainability criteria throughout life cycle of products and processes” (HUB 2: European Green Deal). During this session, young scientists will challenge senior experts on sustainable-by-design approaches in different fields, contribute to the discussion and shape together a safe, carbon-neutral and resource efficient industrial eco-system.
Read the full article here.
Consultations & Roadmap
‘EU Green Deal (carbon border adjustment mechanism)’ public consultation
‘EU Green Deal (carbon border adjustment mechanism)’ public consultation, put forward by the European Commission, is currently open.
Deadline: 28 October 2020
You can take a look at it here
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) public consultations
A number of consultations put forward by ECHA are currently open.
You can take a look at them here.
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) public consultations
A number of consultations put forward by EFSA are currently open.
You can take a look at them here.
Fundings, Nominations & Awards
European Chemistry Gold Medal 2022
The European Chemistry Gold Medal aims to reward the exceptional achievements of one scientist working in the field of chemistry in Europe.
You can submit a nomination here.
2020 EuChemS Lecture Award
Each year, EuChemS celebrates the major achievements of a junior scientist working in chemistry.
You can submit a nomination here.
2020 EuChemS Award for Service
EuChemS Award for Service aims to acknowledge the outstanding commitment of an individual to fostering chemistry and molecular sciences in Europe, as well as to the goals of EuChemS.
You can submit a nomination here.
2020 EuChemS Historical Landmarks Award
The EuChemS Historical Landmarks Award, which aims to celebrate the important link between history, cultural heritage and chemistry, is open to submission.
You can submit a nomination here.
International Award Committee for the EuChemS Lecture Award (IACL)
The call for the International Award Committee for the EuChemS Lecture Award (IACL) is now open.
You can submit a nomination here (please scroll down to the Submission form “Jury Nomination for the International Award Committee for the EuChemS Lecture Award (IACL) 2020”).
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.
The value is on circularity - Webinar
5 November 2020
Online
Visit the website!
2018 EuChemS Lecture Awardee - Webinar
13 November 2020
Online event
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
24.09.2020