 | Eight new CRCs in Energy in Norway
The objective of the scheme for Centres for Environment-friendly Energy Research (FME) is to establish research centres which conduct concentrated, focused and long-term research of high international calibre in order to solve specific challenges in the field. |
| Estonian government supports Competence Centres with approximately billion krones
On 3rd of June 2009 President Toomas Hendrik Ilves conferred the investment decisions of Enterprise Estonia to eight Competence Centres, which is the biggest support of the Estonian history for the research and development activities of the companies. |
| Six EoI for CRCs selected in Northern Ireland
The Northern Ireland Science Industry Panel (MATRIX) highlighted the need to create and maintain a new culture of co-operation between business, government and academia where business can directly influence academic research programmes. |
| Four new CRCs in Austria
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| Results on the CREST working group on Industry-Led Competence Centres published
In December 2007, CREST mandated a Working Group to collect and present Member States approaches to the key aspects of establishing and the functioning of Industry-Led Competence Centres.
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| Targeting leaders (Vinnova)
Directing the work of a research and innovation centre is a delicate task. As well as leading the work in dialogue with clear goals with professors, company directors and research directors – people used to being in charge – there are diverse interests and cultures to be aligned. For this reason, VINNOVA, The Swedich has initiated a residential development programme focusing on leadership for centre directors.
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| International Cooperation of CRCs with third countries
While the cooperation between CRCs in Europe is an issue that has been discussed for quite a time, the cooperation with countries outside the EU is a comparatively new topic for CRCs that also gains importance on the EC agenda. |
| International Conference on Competence Research Centres (CRC), Vienna (AT): 6 and 7 May 2010
After two calls in the Austrian CRC-programme COMET - leading to a new “map of excellence” - an international conference on the subject of competence centre programmes will take place on 6 and 7 May 2010 in Vienna. |
| Global Links conference, Stockholm (S): 20 January 2010
When adapting to global competitiveness, Europe with its Competence Research Centres, as well as other research and innovation milieus, face both challenges and opportunities.... |
| INNET Pilot Call 2009 "Innovation Express": trans-nationalisation for technology clusters
INNET promotes interaction and cooperation between national, regional and European innovation funding schemes in order to strengthen SME-targeted innovation support activities in European Technology Clusters; in particular cross-border innovation activities linked to technology transfer / take up by SMEs or for the benefit of SMEs. |
| Conclusions Compera Workshop on monitoring and evaluation of CRCs
Due to the relatively recent nature of the CRC-programmes in Europe, the experiences with monitoring and evaluation of these programmes are limited, in particular regarding the impact assessments. |
| Joint study on international co-operation between CRCs
In May 2009 nine members of the COMPERA consortium launched a joint study that should identify the state of the art, needs and perspectives regarding the international co-operation of Competence Research Centres. The study will be conducted by Technopolis. |
| Outcomes of the COMPERA Conference, Düsseldorf (D): 3 February 2009
At the 2009 COMPERA Conference various approaches to international cooperation of CRCs were presented and discussed. One particular finding and outcome of the conference was that, in a number of countries, the international opening of CRCs gained a great momentum. |
| VINNMER: Qualification for female researchers
VINNOVA launches a new programme aimed at women in industry, academia or research institutes who have a PhD.
The programme is open for candidates from abroad that want to go to Sweden or vice versa.
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| International conference on Competence Research Centre Programmes and Policies
On Tuesday 3 February 2009 COMPERA will organize a conference on Competence Research Centre programmes and policies in Düsseldorf (Germany). The conference will be organised in cooperation with the CREST working group on industry-led CRCs. |
| EU-Japan Regional Cluster Forum (2-3 December 2008, Japan)
The objective of the EU-Japan Regional Cluster Forum is to stimulate and facilitate global outreach of European and Japanese clusters through:
a) increasing mutual awareness on cluster policies, development methods and management practices, and;
b) fostering cooperation between research and innovation regional clusters in Europe and in Japan. |
| Joint tender for study on international co-operation between CRCs
The COMPERA consortium will start soon a new joint activity. Nine COMPERA partners: Austria, Basque Country, Estonia, Flanders, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Slovenia, Sweden and Valencia have agreed to co-fund a study that should identify the state of the art, needs and perspectives regarding the international co-operation of Competence Research Centres. |
| Evaluation of COMPERA Website completed
The core content of the COMPERA website addresses the core needs of the CRCs represented in COMPERA. CRCs are mainly interested in finding new partners, becoming more visible and getting to know the CRC-landscape in their field of innovation. This is the main outcome of the COMPERA website evaluation that took place in July and August this year. 61 CRCs sent us completely filled-in questionnaires - an impressive response rate regarding the vacation period during which the evaluation took place. |
| CREST Working Group on Industry-led Competence Centres
Aligning academic/public research with enterprise and industry needs |
| COMET - 2nd Call for Competence Centres in Austria
The competence centre programme COMET from FFG in Austria supports the building up of competence centres with a research programme jointly formulated by science and industry. Participation of foreign partners is possible on certain conditions. |
| Process started to establish Norwegian Centres for Environment-friendly Energy Research
A new Norwegian scheme “Centres for Environment-friendly Energy Research” (CEER) seeks to develop expertise and promote innovation through focus on long-term research in selected areas of environment-friendly energy, transport and CO2 management in close cooperation between prominent research communities and users. |
| VINNOVA’s Focus on Impact (Sweden):
Joint Approach for Impact Logic Assessment, Monitoring, Evaluation and Impact Analysis. This report describes the VINNOVA ambitions and activities that aim to understanding and increasing the effects of the VINNOVA commitment to research, innovation and sustainable growth in Sweden. The report briefly describes the different processes used by VINNOVA to secure the quality in the alignment and implementation from an impact perspective. However, the report focuses on the descriptions of and conclusions from the impact analysis made by VINNOVA since the start in 2001. From an international perspective, certain aspects are unique. |
| Presentations and conclusions of workshop on long term strategies for durability now available
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| 5 MARCH 2008 - Register for Workshop for CRC managers: long-term strategies of CRCs for durability
Are you the manager of a Competence Research Centres? If yes, block Wednesday 5 March 2008 in your agenda. On this day, COMPERA organises a workshop which is dedicated to the issue of continuity and long-term strategies for Competence Research Centres (CRCs). Most CRCs in Europe receive their funding by programmes of limited duration. What happens after this initial funding period? How do CRCs make sure that their achievements are not lost? That their results are taken up and used by companies, research institutes, etc? Which strategies are possible after this initial funding? What are the differences in Europe towards the long-term strategies for CRCs? What is the role of developed research agenda's, impact measurements? |
| COMPERA Newsletter Issue 2 - January 2008
This newsletter informs you on the progress that the COMPERA network has made towards further implementation of the selected joint activities for Competence Research Centres (CRCs) and their funding programmes. This includes amongst others the workshop for managers of CRCs and the developed website for and on CRCs.
In addition you will find news on a new call dedicated to support the internationalisation of clusters and several studies that are related tot CRCs and international cooperation. |
| Detailed workprogrammes for selected joint activities available
The COMPERA Technical Committee approved, during its meeting on 7 November in Stockholm, the detailed workprogrammes for the different selected joint activities. |
| Mapping Study Summary for COMPERA (Northern Ireland/Ireland)
In February 2006, the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference instituted a review of areas for potential North/South economic cooperation. The importance of innovation for future international competitiveness was recognised and the resulting report, “Comprehensive Study on the All-Island Economy”, called for an all-island mapping study with a view to facilitating the development of greater collaboration. |
| Internationalisation of clusters and networks centres around human capital issues (Germany)
The international embeddedness of successful R&D locations is no self runner. Rather, international R&D clusters increasingly develop strategies and activities to meet the challenges that, among others, result from the rise of new R&D locations and a growing international division of labour in R&D. This is the core result of an international comparative analysis on internationalisation activities of R&D-oriented clusters and networks. |
| INNET Pilot Call "Innovation Express": internationalisation for technology clusters and SME
INNET is part of Pro-INNO Europe, a new European Commission innovation policy initiative which aims to improve policy learning and trans-national innovation policy cooperation. INNET was launched in September 2006 and will last until August 2009. The consortium of 18 partners (8 national, 10 regional agencies and authorities) from 9 countries is coordinated by OSEO Innovation (France). INNET promotes interaction and cooperation between national, regional and European innovation funding schemes in order to strengthen SME-targeted innovation support activities in European Technology Clusters; in particular cross-border innovation activities linked to technology transfer / take up by SMEs or for the benefit of SMEs. The beneficiaries of the Pilot Call are the SMEs as well as the cluster governances. |
| COMPERA website further raises awareness for the competitiveness of European CRCs
Sometimes it is numbers that illustrate the attractiveness of an internet tool: In October 2007 alone, the web portrait of the Spanish CRC IBV has been viewed 325 times, of the Belgian VITO 286 times and of the Dutch DSTI 216 times. These figures illustrate: visitors of the COMERA website search for qualified information on selected CRCs and they find the information they are looking for. This enhances the visibility of the CRCs and contributes to the building up of an international profile of these CRCs. |
| COMPERA workshop Brussels
Are you the manager of the Competence Research Centres? If yes, block Wednesday 5 March 2008 in your agenda. On this day, COMPERA organises a workshop which is dedicated to the issue of continuity and long-term strategies for Competence Research Centres (CRCs). Most CRCs in Europe receive their funding by programmes of limited duration. What happens after this initial funding period? How do CRCs make sure that their achievements are not lost? That their results are taken up and used by companies, research institutes, etc? Which strategies are possible after this initial funding? What are the differences in Europe towards the long-term strategies in Europe? What is the role of developed research agenda's, impact measurements? |
| Internationalization of Networks - Barriers and Enablers (Germany)
For this empirical study altogether 91 networks from 10 European countries have been interviewed to improve the understanding of needs, strategies, enablers and barriers of networks concerning their actual or intended paths towards globalization. The results of the survey show that persistent great demand to adjust to an international orientation. But it will also become clear that conventional supporting instruments of grant policy cannot meet the real needs of networks because the specific problems, requirements and measures applied are not taken into account. Customized supporting measures and tools have to be realized to provide support both more effective and more efficient for networks and their members on their paths towards internationalization. |
| COMPERA Newsletter Issue 1 - July 2007
This first issue focuses on the joint activities that are being developed by the COMPERA network: The selection of these activities was based on an extensive consultation amongst CRC managers and CRC programme managers. We also bring you news from Norway, Sweden and The Netherlands on new CRCs and CRC-events. |
| "Speed dating" workshop for managers of CRCs in Information Technology
On 3rd and 4th October 2007 the second speed dating workshop of COMPERA in the field of Information Technology will be held in Bucharest, Romania. This workshop is aimed for managers of CRCs and offers them the possibility to meet and discuss common issues with other managers of CRCs in Europe in this domain. By meeting colleague CRC managers in one-to-one meetings, the workshops allows to exchange and share experiences on strategies, activities, best practices, etc., and explore first ideas about potential cooperation. Representatives of over 50 CRCs from COMPERA partner countries are invited to join the workshop. |
| How to succeed with joint research initiatives
Expectations are high for the new “Centre of Excellence in Research and Innovation” which VINNOVA is supporting. The recent Centrumdagen, an annual seminar day for centre participants arranged by VINNOVA and the Swedish Energy Agency, saw delegates from the former competence centres sharing experiences and advice to help make the new venture at least as successful. |
| A crucial milestone in COMPERA’s history: Joint Activities between CRCs
COMPERA, the network of programmes that are funding Competence Research Centres (CRCs) within the framework the European Research Area (ERA), has been active now for two years. Since then, the project has progressed well towards its goals. Mutual trust between the partners has been established and the alliance has already proven to be valuable in the development of national and regional initiatives. |
| New website links 350 European research centers together
350 Competence Research Centers in 12 European countries are now linked together on a new website: http://www.competence-research-centres.eu/. This new website makes the profiles of these CRCs accessible to a broad international public. It will support the cooperation both among CRCs and with external actors. A user-friendly interactive map-function shows all CRCs. In addition, the website offers an up-to-date news channel, a calendar of events and funding information. |
| EUR 100 million available for seven large research programmes in The Netherlands
The Dutch Minister of Economic Affairs and the General Board of the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) agreed to fund 7 research programmes in the first tender of the Smart Mix Programme. Smart Mix is a subsidy programme which supports innovators who work together. Smart Mix encourages economic, civil-societal and cultural innovation that will enable the Netherlands to excel both nationally and internationally. Companies and/or civil-society organisations will work together with knowledge institutes like universities on a very broad range of subjects to realise this, on the basis of questions from the market and society. |
| Competence Research Centres Partnering Event
COMPERA invites you to take part in a matchmaking event at the occasion of the Hannover Fair (HMI) on 16-20 April 2007. As visitor of or exhibitor at the HMI you will have the opportunity to meet other CRC managers and members and exchange ideas about potential joint projects. |
| Website on Competence Research Centres in Europe launched
This website provides you with an overview over the location and thematic orientation of over 300 CRCs in Europe. A user-friendly search technology allows you to select CRCs by location or theme. In addition, the website brings you news from and of interest to CRCs, research and innovation highlights, etc. |
| COMPERA Programme Brochure published
This brochure provides you with an overview of the national/regional programmes in Europe that support Competence Research Centres (CRCs). Structured fact sheets inform you on the relevant characteristics of the programmes, like objectives, budgets, activities, internationalisation, etc.. The document is based on the Programme survey between the COMPERA partners held between November 2005 and February 2007 (Work Package 1 - SHARE). |
| New Programme for CRCs in Austria
The Competence Centre Programme COMET (Competence Centres for Excellent Technologies) is a joint initiative between the ministry for Transport, Innovation and Technology and the Austrian Ministry for Economy and Work and is a follow up Programme of the funding Programmes Kplus, Kind and Knet, which were initiated in 1998. |
| Valencia Declaration on Innovation: European stakeholders support action on innovation policy
European innovation experts sent a strong signal to EU Ministers and Commissioners at the Europe INNOVA Conference, held 28 November 2006 in Valencia. It concerns the priority actions needed to ensure that the EU is competitive. |
| 15 Excellence Centres approved in Sweden
In June 2006 VINNOVA selected 15 VINN Excellence Centres for funding in the second call of the VINN Excellence Centre programme. In the previous call already four centres were selected for funding in the field of transport and working for live. VINNOVA's ambition is to establish 25 different VINN Excellence Centers that will be funded for a period of 10 years. |
| Fourteen New Norwegian Competence Research Centres to be established
Norway will establish fourteen Centres for Research-based Innovation (CRIs).
The scheme is an all-out effort to enhance the cooperation between prominent research groups and research-active enterprises. |
| Executive Summary Programme and CRC survey published
COMPERA organised a survey between its participants to ensure a common understanding on each others organisations, programmes and the resulting Competence Research Centres. |
| Database of Programmes for Competence Research Centres now available
The COMPERA-network developed a Programme Database, which can be accessed via the COMPERA-website. |