Science|Business

📌 Big news! Science|Business is transitioning from X to BlueSky. While our account on X will remain, we won’t be actively posting there. Instead, we will be sharing our latest updates and insights and connecting with our community on BlueSky and here on LinkedIn.   ⌛ Stay tuned for more updates, and be sure to follow us on BlueSky! 👉 https://lnkd.in/dCCefkVT

🚀 The EIC - European Innovation Council is set to abandon its exclusive focus on civilian technologies. The European Commission has announced that both the EIC and the planned #TechEU Scale-up Fund will now be allowed to invest in dual-use technologies, which have both civilian and defence applications. This shift, outlined in the Commission’s white paper on the future of European #defence, aims to maximise spillover effects between civilian and defence industries. Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, highlighted that this presents a “once-in-a-generation opportunity to strengthen Europe’s industry, boost innovation and create a market for defence equipment.” 📌 Read more: https://lnkd.in/dRu9Q6ZD

🇪🇺 🇺🇲 Europe is scrambling to help US researchers escape Trump. With the US tightening restrictions on #science, EU science ministers are calling on the European Commission to open doors for #US researchers facing attacks on academic freedom. In a letter addressed to Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva, 12 EU countries have urged the Commission to provide funding and opportunities through tools like the European Research Council (ERC) and Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions. The letter highlights the threat to #research freedom globally, stressing that Europe must act quickly to offer refuge and support to brilliant scientists who could be hit by US funding cuts and interference. A proposed conference will soon bring EU ministers together to discuss how to move forward. 🔎 Read more: https://lnkd.in/dq8j2WbG

💭 Check out the viewpoint by Robert-Jan Smits and Dr. Mirjam Storim: innovation and collaboration are the pillars of Europe's cleantech leadership To overcome global competition and climate challenges, Europe’s universities and companies must deepen their #cooperation. The European Commission’s strategies, such as the Competitiveness Compass and Clean Industrial Deal, place innovation at the forefront, highlighting the crucial role of universities, including those in the EuroTech Universities Alliance, in driving #innovation and #entrepreneurship. Smits and Storim emphasise that Europe must also attract global talent to address skills shortages in #STEM fields and strengthen its position as a leader in cleantech. Creating an open, scientifically driven environment will be key to securing the future of Europe’s innovation ecosystem. 👀 Read more: https://lnkd.in/gjca5Rmd

Three years after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, #data show the growing isolation of Russian #science. Co-publications with Europe and the US have dropped sharply, conference participation has plummeted, and overall #research output may now be declining. While collaboration with China has increased slightly, it hasn’t offset Russia’s loss of global scientific ties. Are we seeing the long-term impact of geopolitical isolation on research? Full analysis here: https://lnkd.in/d-e4dAMT

Israel remains an active #research partner in Horizon Europe, with 130 projects funded since late 2023. New calls are also open for collaborations with Germany, Italy, China, Singapore, and others. A full list of opportunities here: https://lnkd.in/d8X4J2aU

Researchers at Quantum Internet Alliance (QIA) at Delft University of Technology, QuTech, the University of Innsbruck, INRIA, and CNRS have recently introduced QNodeOS — the first-ever operating system developed specifically for quantum networks. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dffMNiEs

The Visegrad Fund isn’t a major #research funder, but its modest grants can have a catalytic effect. Just ask Zsuzsa R. Huszar, professor in the Finance Institute at Corvinus University of Budapest, who used a small #grant to connect experts across central Europe and launch a research centre on household finance. “The Visegrad Fund says the highest possible level of impact is the change of perception on an issue you are dealing with. This is when a problem becomes a solution,” Huszar said. “What we aim for is just to change a little bit the mindset that there are solutions. By fostering collaboration across Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, and Hungary, the fund helps researchers tackle regional challenges—whether in #finance, #policy, or beyond. But can small grants be enough to drive long-term impact? More on how this approach is shaping research in central Europe: https://lnkd.in/dC4gpxmp

Horizon Europe encourages project clustering: but what if #synergies were built in from the start? A group of researchers working in aquatic resources at Denmark’s Technical University have taken collaboration further, drafting multiple proposals together to align projects from day one. With more multi-project calls emerging, this approach could streamline #research efforts, reduce duplication, and maximise impact. But can #HorizonEU fully support this level of coordination? More on the benefits and challenges of pre-emptive clustering: https://lnkd.in/dJiqqHxh

The European Health Data Space (EHDS) is finally coming into force this month, offering new opportunities for #research, clinical trials, and #AI-driven #health innovations. But with a four-year rollout ahead, much depends on how national systems implement it. For researchers, this could mean easier access to large-scale health #datasets across Europe, a gamechanger for rare disease studies and AI model training. But governance, privacy safeguards, and infrastructure challenges remain key hurdles. What’s at stake, and how can #researchers prepare? Full story here: https://lnkd.in/djSs6z-4