Prof. Gilbert M. Rios –NanoMemPro Coordinator nanomempro

1. NanoMemPro a Network of Excellence on Membrane Technologies Prof. Gilbert M. Rios –NanoMemPro Coordinator http://www.nanomempro.com … on behalf of all my colleagues

2. NanoMemPro: the short-term privileged instrument for structuring the European Research Area (ERA) on membrane technologies with mid-long term objectives Networks of Excellence ? The aim of the European Community in creating the Networks of Excellence: building an authority responsible for bringing together the best existing entities in a given field considered as a “priority” in order to create a virtual structure which would become the reference in its field.

3. The NanoMemPro project The consortium 13 European countries 13 Institutions 122 researchers 57 PhD students

4. The strategy • In order to ensure the long-term integration of all the European resources in membrane sciences: • Club of Interest • Club of Expertise • Eminent specialists from various Institutions outside NanoMemPro.

5. The project structure • 6 integrating activities (JPI), • 5 research activities (JPR), • 4 spreading of excellence activities (JPS) • 3 management activities(M) 18 activities and 26 WP- CNRS is now in charge of management activities NanoMemPro’s breakthroughs

6. 1 Jan. 2007 1 Sept. 2004 31 August 2008 FP6 FP7 Key figures

7. SBRA EMH Where are we ? What about the future challenges ? NanoMemPro: really a chance for Membranes in Europe (FP6 and FP7…) - recognition of a strong thematic by EC - strong financial support for structuring activities NanoMemPro is a tool specifically designed for structuring the ERA … and not a new instrument dedicated to research! After initial months spent to build all the tools necessary to its every day life - management system, communication tools, data bases (expertises, on-going programmes, equipment and facilities), education and work programmes… - NanoMemPro is now involved in2 main operations :

8. SBRA : The Strategic and Business Research Agenda • An innovative approach now in preparation : • Its objective: to bring industrialists in close and durable contacts with the labs around topics that will be defined as priorities for the next 10-15 years! • A new and remarquable approach : universities are starting to listen to companies and to put in place with them an industrialist-driven schema which will involve research, education and technological development according to society needs (well-being, employment…)! • Contacts with more 300 companies in Europe for identifying the expectations of industrialists as far as membranes are concerned in the different fields of applications which are tackled. • Already 2 meetings held in Brussels : one-day meeting “Target for Innovations” (Sept. 06 - 60 participants among which more than 40 industrialists)+ two-days group meetings “SBRA roadmaps (February - 55 participants among which 35-40 industrialists each day)

9. RELAY 2004 2008 2020 Timings 6th framework fund Industrialists funds Fund Set up of preliminary actions SBRA Creation & organization Runs on a fully operational mode SBRA Actions • Tools to communicate • Network of NCP • - Outline of the legal entity • Creation of the club of interest - Identify industrialists needs- Map the coming innovations Industrialist business driven R&D projects led in a durable integrated membrane laboratory Means Objective :To create a mid-long term instrument, able to last without the financial support of EC, the necessity to match with industrialists needs and to find a funding relay from their part => The idea to launch a SBRA operation !

10. EMH : The European Membrane House An « extension » of NanoMemPro! • A “melting pot” structure aimed at facilitating the development of high technology programmes, at developing / creating new companies and at generating employment • An “lobbying instrument” for membrane technologies at national, European and international levels • A “facilitator” using all the available information and tools (technological survey, communication, data bases, knowledge management…) to make you save time and money with the preparation of new contracts • A legal entity in the form of an “Association” with • A staff devoted to management, lobbying and facilitation activities • Three kind of members: Founding, Associate and CoI members • A Scientific Council and different Departments • Financial resources provided by memberships and overheads on Contracts • Acting in synergy with all the others actors (EMS, EFCE…)

12. Among other "priorities"... • Master and PhD labels in “Membrane Engineering”… and perhaps in the future new European Master and PhD degrees • New programs for continuous education : EuroMembranes and NanoMemCourse • Mobility program: At four levels are looked at • Opening towards new European countries : Prague, PERMEA 2007 and Lisbon meetings • Relations with other instruments and international policy N2I , new programs • Dissemination actions : Coordination meetings with other thrid countries, Information- Brokerage event in Brussels next December …

13. And as a conclusion... • Our success will depend on our capacity to involve and/or associate: • Laboratories and groups having the best recognized expertise • National (CFM, DGMT) and European (EMS, EFCE) scientific societies • The industry (membrane and equipment manufacturers, end-users…) and particularly SME’s, spin-offs, BICs …by putting them closer to all the expertise and facilities that they need ! • To get with them enough funding and resources to ensure our durability and development (a win-to-win system): • FP, Cohesion policy, ICP… • EUREKA, Regions, States, Banks… • Industry • … To make Europe the best place • To do Membrane Research & Development • On Planet Earth ! …