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New European opportunities for research links

27 July 2005

Researchers will hear of exciting new opportunities to build networks with their European Union counterparts at a Clayton seminar next week.

The seminar follows the successful application by Professor Jim Walter, head of the School of Political and Social Inquiry, and the Institute of Commonwealth Studies in London for nearly $500,000 project funding from the British Economic and Social Research Council.

The 'European Network Forum: European Research Funding' seminar is a joint initiative of the Europe Network, chaired by pro vice-chancellor (Planning) Professor Merran Evans, and the Research Office.

Dr Neil Hamilton, executive director of the Forum for European - Australian Science and Technology Cooperation, will present the seminar.

Professor Evans said Monash researchers had increasing opportunities to work on EU-funded projects with European-based colleagues under the Union's Sixth and Seventh Framework Programmes.

"This is the central funding body for research and development in Europe with FP7 funding proposed at 75 billion euros ($AU119 billion)." she said.

"It is also significant that many of the research priorities in Europe are similar to those identified as national priorities in Australia, so there are likely to be some synergies."

The European Framework programs cover a wide range of research themes including information and communications technology, environment, energy, transport and aeronautics, life sciences, health, nanotechnology, materials and new production technologies, social sciences and the humanities.

Subjects to be discussed at the forum include how to build collaborations with partners in EU countries, EU research priorities now and in the future, and how to build links with individuals.

The first session of next Wednesday's (3 August) seminar includes a general outline and overview of the EU's Sixth Framework Programme for research and development (FP6) and emerging opportunities under its successor programme, FP7.

Session 1: General outline and overview

When: noon -- 2pm, Wednesday, 3 August 2005

Where: Banquet Rooms, Campus Centre, Clayton

RSVP: 5pm, Friday, 29 July to kelly.drayton@monint.monash.edu

Session 2: Life sciences, genomics and biotechnology for health. 2.30pm - 3.30pm, Sir George Lush Room, Building 3a, Clayton Campus.

Session 3: Information Society Technologies. 3.45pm - 4.45pm, Sir George Lush Room, Building 3a, Clayton Campus.

Attendance at the general session is strongly recommended.

The full details of the seminar, and a flyer can be viewed at: European Research Funding website.