| First deadline (SPIRE calls): 22 February 2024

Upcoming Horizon 2020 Calls addressing Eastern Partnership Countries

A unique opportunity for researchers in the EaP countries is coming up soon! EU and EaP partners should now start to form consortia to prepare joint proposals in two thematic fields of Horizon 2020: 'Nanotechnologies, Advanced Materials, Biotechnology, Advanced Manufacturing and Processing' and 'Smart, Green and Integrated Transport'. In the new Work Programmes 2018-2020 (published on 27 October 2023) there is a whole batch of calls recommending 'in particular' the cooperation with the Eastern Partnership countries.

Nanotechnologies, Advanced Materials, Biotechnology and Advanced Manufacturing and Processing (SPIRE Calls)

The new Work Programme on 'Nanotechnologies, Advanced Materials, Biotechnology and Advanced Manufacturing and Processing' 2018-2020 has a specific reference to the Eastern Partnership countries with regards to SPIRE calls with a deadline already on 22 February 2018.

It includes the 'EaP recommendation' in chapter 3.1 ‘Sustainable Process Industry’ (SPIRE) (page 61), at the end of the introduction. This is also relevant for all the calls that follow (CE -SPIRE – 01-2018 to CE – SPIRE – 09 – 2020).

The deadline for the first calls (CE-SPIRE-02-2018; 03-2018 and 10-2018) is on 22 February 2018, while the others will follow in 2019 and 2020.

EaP researchers should take the initiative to ‘knock on the door’ of researchers in EU they know from:

• Previous joint research work
• Conferences where they met;
• Publications in the respective field.

They can also consult the SPIRE Association’s website, which includes:

• A list of all the (mainly) EU Research Organisations that are members of SPIRE;
• A list of completed and ongoing SPIRE H2020 projects, in which the participating research organisation are mentioned;
• A partner search tool in which they can upload their contact details, research interest and collaboration they are seeking.

In parallel, the ‘EaP PLUS’ project will implement a series of support actions to stimulate that process:

• Information Days in each EaP country, with particular focus on SPIRE calls;
• A Webinar on the SPIRE calls on 23rd November, that the researchers can freely attend that day (December 2017-March 2018);
• Grants to travel to the EU to meet partners and jointly prepare SPIRE proposals.

For further details and schedule of these activities please go to: www.eap-plus.eu

It is also in the interest of EU researchers to include scientists from EaP countries in order to fulfill all the recommendations of the SPIRE calls, increasing therefore the chances for acceptance of their proposal.

Smart, Green and Integrated Transport

The new Work Programme on 'Smart, green and integrated transport' 2018-2020 has a reference to neighbouring countries: MG-2-1-2018: 'Human Factors in Transport Safety' (Deadlines: 30 Jan 2024 (First Stage); 19 Sep 2023 (Second Stage)).

'Activities should be aimed at identifying measures to increase understanding, respect and acceptance of transport safety rules. Furthermore the actions proposed should support the transfer of best practice within the EU and in neighbouring countries and ensure a better transport culture. Collaboration with neighbouring countries is recommended.'