Hello and welcome to the November edition of Brussels News Updates, the monthly EuChemS newsletter keeping you up to date on the latest chemistry related science-policy issues, news and upcoming events and awards.
Discussions on the future EU budget are beginning to take shape, but cuts over Horizon Europe loom – a worrying turn of events for the future of EU science, research and innovation. It will be our responsibility as scientists to communicate our message, both at the national and at the EU-level. Meanwhile, a new report by the EU’s Group of Chief Scientific Advisors has highlighted the issues so far hampering a more balanced and transparent use of scientific advice by the European Commission. Read on more below for the latest news impacting Chemistry in Europe.
You can read the full newsletter online here.
European Highlights, Research, Innovation, Education, Entrepreneurship
Budget cuts loom over future Horizon Europe
Discussions over the EU’s budget for the next seven years threaten to see cuts to the budget allocation to research and innovation. With certain EU countries unwilling to pay more into the general EU budget and others unwilling to see decreases in the budgets for cohesion or agriculture, there is a growing risk that funding for EU science and innovation may be cut.
The Initiative for Science in Europe (ISE) has launched a campaign aimed to collect the signatures of scientists to demonstrate to national governments and to the EU institutions the vital role science, research and innovation can play in tackling the challenges we face today. EuChemS has given its support to the campaign and actively encourages everyone to find out more and to sign up. Read the full debrief here.
New report published on improving the gathering and use of scientific advice
A special panel of advisors, the EU’s Group of Chief Scientific Advisors, has published a new report with recommendations for further improving the way the EU institutions in Brussels gather and use scientific advice. The report calls for strengthening the use of scientific advice in policymaking, making decisions more transparent and on setting up guidelines and a set of best practices in the use of scientific advice.
Read the full article here.
Chemists and Physicists join for 'Passion for Science 2019' Symposium
Chemists and Physicists have come together for an International Symposium ‘Passion for Science 2019’ on the occasion of the International Year of the Periodic Table of Chemical Elements (IYPT2019) organised by the Italian Physical Society (SIF) in collaboration with the Italian Chemical Society (SCI) in Bologna on 6 and 7 November. Read more here.
European Environment Agency (EEA) report on the circular economy refers to EuChemS Periodic Table
In a recently published report on ‘Paving the way for a circular economy: insights on status and potentials’, the European Environment Agency (EEA) refers to the EuChemS Periodic Table highlighting element scarcity, illustrating the impact that Chemistry has on overarching policy issues both in Europe and worldwide. It is moreover testament of the far-reaching impact of the EuChemS Periodic Table and its relevance in science-policy interactions. Read more about it here.
EuChemS reveals logo to celebrate its 50 years in 2020
2020 will see the European Chemical Society celebrate 50 years since its conception. In order to celebrate the 50 years of EuChemS, a special logo has been designed, and activities and initiatives planned for 2020. It is our hope that spotlighting our history, the shared visions that made the organisation a reality, and our actions today will enable EuChemS to be even better recognised by the vast chemistry community, and by decision-makers in Brussels and national capitals. Click here for the full story.
Chemistry in Europe 2019-4 published
In the last edition of 2019, Chemistry in Europe this time round includes an Editorial by David Cole-Hamilton who reflects on his experience with EuChemS, a look into the recent EFSA Stakeholder Forum, input from our Professional Networks, the European Young Chemists’ Network, as well as our Member Societies. The newsletter moreover includes news on the EuChemS Historical Landmarks Award, and an interview with Iwona Maciejowska, Past-Chair of the EuChemS Division of Chemical Education. You can read the newsletter here.
Consultations & Roadmap
European Food Safety Authority consultations
A number of consultations put forward by the European Food Safety Authority are currently open. You can take a look at them here.
If you would like to contribute to an EuChemS respond, please drop us a line.
Fundings, Nominations & Awards
The call for submissions for three major EuChemS Awards are open.
Deadline: 31 December 2019
Historical landmarks Award
Lecture Award
Award for Service
Marie Skłodowska-Curie (MSCA) open calls
Currently two calls are open: Innovative Training Networks 2020 and the European Researcher's Night. The deadline is in January , check details here:
Website: http://bit.ly/2Kxavc8
EuChemS Events
3rd International Caparica Christmas Conference on Translational Chemistry
2 – 5 December 2019
Caparica, Portugal
Website: https://bit.ly/2lKzgIw
Avogadro Colloquia 2019 (AC 2019)
17 – 18 December 2019
Rome, Italy
Website: https://bit.ly/2k90TKG
Chemistry Conference for Young Scientists 2020 (ChemCYS 2020)
19 – 21 February 2020 Blankenberge, Netherlands
Website: http://bit.ly/2MyB5Sk
Food Contamination and Traceability Summit
26 – 27 May 2020
Erding, Germany
Website: http://bit.ly/35Aw18I
European Conference of Research in Chemistry Education (ECRICE 2020)
6 – 8 July 2020
Rehovot, Israel
Website: http://bit.ly/2OLs2jR
25th Conference on Isoprenoids
9 - 11 September 2020
Karaganda, Kazakhstan
Website: http://bit.ly/2Oi8IJd
Other Events
A Future for All to INHERIT: Taking Action Now
10 December 2019
Brussels, Belgium
Website: http://bit.ly/2rMtl8O
EU Water Innovation Conference 2019
11 – 13 December 2019
Zaragoza, Spain
Website: http://bit.ly/2McB1ZC
Read the full BNU newsletter here
EuChemS aisbl - Rue du Trône 62, 1050, Brussels, Belgium; www.euchems.eu. Produced for EuChemS by Nineta Hrastelj, Alex Schiphorst and Marta Kucza. 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 © 2019 EuChemS
David Spichiger, SCS
05.12.2019