Networking on priorities in FP 6

1. Networking on priorities in FP 6 Dan Dascalu Coordinator of ROMNET-ERA ROMNET-ERA workshop, 26th of April, 2004

2. Contents • Networking • Networking in FP 6 • Networking in ROMNET-ERA • A regional role • First results

3. Network? • Networking: creating and using networks. • A network = a system of connexions (connections) between various entities (nodes), basically between people. • A connexion is here a channel for transmission of information. • In a scientific network, the nodes are exchanging not only information, but also knowledge (information in context). • The direct contact between scientists is essential. A true scientist has a strong “appetite” for this exchange of knowledge.

4. A “bottom-up”, self-organising process The organisations have to provide a background for this exchange, across their borders. They should facilitate this exchange of knowledge through electronic communication, scientific events and publications, as well as through exchange of people. This comes sometime in contradiction with the famous IPR (intellectual property rights). In many cases, the organisational culture does not favour strong interactions, such as should be participation to the FP 6 networks of excellence which aims at creating new virtual institutions with participants from various countries.

5. Networks are everywhere! Even in very “well organised” systems which are intended to control the information flow, the information which is crucial for people is circulating rapidly through an invisible, unofficial network of human connections. Ignoring this spontaneous networking may be sometimes a disaster for the management (things are not going according to the rules and instructions). In knowledge-based era ones has to pay attention to the bearers of knowledge, which are the people themselves.

6. Existing, invisible networks In the broad sense, networking includes any system of connections for information/knowledge exchange. Even a traditional scientific publication provides such a “networking” between authors and readers. However, this is a very slow process, in sequences which take a lot of time and has a great chance to be interrupted. More efficient are the direct contacts taking place during scientific conferences, meetings etc. Notes: a) “American style” conferences; b) a new approach in some events organised by the European Commission.

7. Contents • Networking • Networking in FP 6 • Networking in ROMNET-ERA • A regional role • First results

8. Establishing networks …. • The connexions have to be established rapidly, in order to prepare in time a common project or to develop some unexpected features of an existing one. • A group preparing a proposal for FP 6 is also a network (a system of connexions between potential partners), in the broad sense of the world.

9. Formalised networks • The existence of formalised networks of organisations may give a certain stability and perspective to a system of connections. However, the internal (and external) connexions should also be extremely flexible, if necessary. E.g. in NoEs: partners in and partners out. • Apart from some difficulties in launching some NoEs, accompanied by the dissatisfaction of unsuccessful consortia, there are NoEs which are advancing very well.

10. New instruments in FP6 • New instruments have promoted consortia with a larger number of organisations. One definition on ERA is “a network of networks”. • It is argued that the multiplicity of connections is promoting an efficient multi-disciplinary research. These rapidly forming connections are also favouring the rapid development of science and technology.

11. Synapses in the brain! • An analogy: the activity of the brain. • Synapse: a region where nerve impulses are transmitted across a small gap from an axon terminal to an adjacent structure, as another axon (Webster). • The multiciplicity of synapses makes our brain such a powerful computing (and knowledge processing!) machine.

12. Advanced computing • Take also the power of parallel (and distributed!) computing. GRID type networks for high-performance computing sustained by the European Commission.

13. Contents • Networking • Networking in FP 6 • Networking in ROMNET-ERA • A regional role • First results

14. Networking on priorities of FP6 • ROMNET-ERA should promote participation of Romanian high-quality “centres” of research in FP 6 in particular and in ERA in general. • The networking will be done on priorities. Four networks are envisaged. One network does not correspond exactly to one priority.

15. List of networks • Four networks are envisaged at the beginning of the project. The tentative domains are: • micro and nanotechnologies (priorities 2 and 3) • new materials and production processes (priority 3) • new materials and technologies for health (priority 1) • technologies for food and security (priority 5)

16. An “umbrella” network Some centres may participate to more than one network. This system will form a network of networks related to “New materials and technologies, with a special emphasis on the applications related to the quality of life”, with some common databases and synergies between their activities. See the nanoLINK initiative later.

17. The objectives of these networks: • Collecting and disseminating information about the resources (competences and technical resources, e.g. equipments). • Establishing contacts and facilitating common proposals, especially in European programmes Note: The main actors in these networks should be the so-called “research centres” presented before.

18. Methodology to implement the work package activities, selection relevant to networking (1) • The communication platform will be implemented. The data about public and private research organizations will be compiled from various sources and used to pursue these organizations to complete the databases. • The information coming in (databases for registration) and information going out (distribution list, e-newsletter, and web pages) will be continuously monitoring in order to create a dynamic, self-generating structure.

19. Methodology to implement the work package activities, selection relevant to networking (2) • •The selection (screening) of high-quality research centres and their distribution on priorities will be performed by the Consultative Council. The process will be continuous, with the possibility to apply for re-evaluation. • •Networking for the four priorities will proceed to self-organization, with a board composed from the representatives of the most significant organizations in the field. Each priority network will have a web page accessed through the web portal of the project. All networks will be designed to interact between them and with networks from other ACC or MS, as well as with pan-European networks.

20. Methodology to implement the work package activities, selection relevant to networking (3) • The networks organize contacts and meetings, bringing together researchers with similar or complementary interest, including foreign scientists. The catalyst will be the increased chance to participate to FP 6. • Identification of SMEs using selected (best) sources of information and promoting registration of new actors. These SME should be also incorporated in networks, even if their main mission is not research.

21. Methodology to implement the work package activities, selection relevant to networking (4) • One characteristic of this methodology is the central role of communication and self-organisation. • The conventional means are complemented by new an innovative means of electronic communication, characteristic to the knowledge – based society. • Even the project management benefits from such techniques which improves its efficiency.

22. Pilot network • Apart from mobilising the actors in Romania, the project should promote extensive contacts with external partners. The last feature will be exemplified below. • The first network, on “micro and nanotechnologies” should be a pilot network for the other three (may be also for others).

23. Previous experience • Here a experience at the national level exists, see the networks financed from MATNANTECH). Two of them, CENOBITE and NANOMATFAB are virtual centres of research, based on a network of centres of excellence (the model of NoEs from FP6). The first of them (inaugurated in 2002) was mentioned on Cordis (February 2003).

24. Contents • Networking • Networking in FP 6 • Networking in ROMNET-ERA • A regional role • First results

25. Synergy with other projects … • Two other SSA will be important for their contribution to external connections. • One of them is MINAEAST-NET (Micro and NAnotechnologies going EAST through NETworking) and is devoted to networking in Eastern Europe and it is coordinated by IMT-Bucharest. It will start at 1st of May 2004 and last for 24 months.

26. NEXUS PLUS (1) • Another SSA (financed by IST DG, micro and nanosystems) is called “NEXUS – Supporting IPs and NoEs, ensuring SME representation and introducing ACC partners” (acronym NEXUS PLUS). • NEXUS is the biggest network in microsystems and nanotechnologies, based in Europe (Grenoble, France).

27. NEXUS PLUS (2) The NEXUSPLUS project will maximise the exploitation potential of technologies, processes and products that are developed in both IST and NMP Integrated Projects (IPs) and Networks of Excellence (NoE) in the area of Micro and nanosystems. It will also identify potential SMEs and Associated Candidate Countries (ACC) partners and provide entry points for them to join existing and future IPs and NoE. The project will last for four years (2004-2007). The project is coordinated by NEXUS. LETI (Grenoble, France) is the contractor. The bulk of the work will be done by subcontractors.

28. NEXUS PLUS (3) • Recently, IMT-Bucharest was selected as a subcontractor in NEXUS PLUS. IMT will cover again the Eastern Europe, promoting the participation of research centres, as well as SMEs in NoEs and IPs from candidate countries and (since 1st of May 2004) new member states of EU. • On 14-15 May 2004, in Brussels, NEXUS will organise presentations of existing NoEs and IPs, to facilitate contacts with possible new partners • EURONET: presentation of NoEs for the first time, in Sinaia, Romania (Sept. 2003)

29. IMT in other networks in FP6 Participation of IMT in a number of other networks from FP 6 is also important. In the PATENT NoE, for example, IMT has special responsibilities related to ACC countries.

30. Contents • Networking • Networking in FP 6 • Networking in ROMNET-ERA • A regional role • First results

31. ROMNET-NANO • Results in ROMNET-ERA (networking, databases). • A national network in nanosciences and nanotechnologies (27th of January, 2004) • Partner matching in FP 6, NMP call from December 2003 • Statistics related to the interest /resources of 54 Romanian research centres

32. NMP (nanotechnology, materials, production) priority in PC6: domains 1. Nanotechnologies and nanosciences 2. Knowledge-based Multifunctional Materials 3. New Production Processes and Devices 4. Integration of nanotechnologies, new materials, and new production technologies Total number of centres 54

33. NMP (nanotechnology, materials, production) priority in PC6:Nanotechnologies and nanosciences (competence/ resources) • Long-term interdisciplinary research into understanding phenomena, mastering processes and developing research tools • Nano-biotechnologies • Nanometre-scale engineering techniques to create materials and components • Development of handling and control devices and instruments • Applications in areas such as health and medical systems, chemistry, energy, optics, food and the environment

34. NMP (nanotechnology, materials, production) priority in PC6: Nanotechnologies and nanosciences (proposal/ interest) • Long-term interdisciplinary research into understanding phenomena, mastering processes and developing research tools • Nano-biotechnologies • Nanometre-scale engineering techniques to create materials and components • Development of handling and control devices and instruments • Applications in areas such as health and medical systems, chemistry, energy, optics, food and the environment

35. Other priorities? • The “nanoLINK” initiative: a network of networks related to “New materials and technologies, with a special emphasis on the applications related to the quality of life”, • nanoLINK is an “umbrella” for a number of projects/networks

36. Appreciation ……. IMT was prised as …………” a pioneer of integration in ERA in Eastern Europe” Commissioner for Research Philippe Busquin 6th of February, 2004