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

Networking on Networking on priorities in FP 6priorities in FP 6

Dan DascaluDan Dascalu

Coordinator of ROMNET-Coordinator of ROMNET-ERAERA

ROMNET-ERA workshop, 26ROMNET-ERA workshop, 26thth of of April, 2004April, 2004

ContentsContents

1.1.NetworkingNetworking2.2.Networking in FP 6Networking in FP 63.3.Networking in Networking in

ROMNET-ERAROMNET-ERA4.4.A regional role A regional role 5.5.First resultsFirst results

Network?Network?• Networking: creating and using networks.Networking: creating and using networks.• A network = A network = a system of connexions a system of connexions

(connections) between various entities (connections) between various entities (nodes), basically between people.(nodes), basically between people.

• A A connexion connexion is here a is here a channelchannel for for transmission of information. transmission of information.

• In a scientific network, the nodes are In a scientific network, the nodes are exchanging not only information, but also exchanging not only information, but also knowledge (information in context).knowledge (information in context).

• The direct contact between scientists is The direct contact between scientists is essential. A true scientist has a strong essential. A true scientist has a strong “appetite” for this exchange of knowledge.“appetite” for this exchange of knowledge.

A “bottom-up”, self-organising A “bottom-up”, self-organising processprocess

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

Networks are Networks are everywhere!everywhere!

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

Existing, invisible Existing, invisible networksnetworks

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

ContentsContents



Establishing networks ….Establishing networks ….• The connexions have to be The connexions have to be

established rapidly, in order to established rapidly, in order to prepare in time a common project or prepare in time a common project or to develop some unexpected features to develop some unexpected features of an existing one.of an existing one.

•A group preparing a proposal A group preparing a proposal for FP 6for FP 6 is also a network (a system is also a network (a system of connexions between potential of connexions between potential partners), in the broad sense of the partners), in the broad sense of the world.world.

Formalised networksFormalised networks• The existence of formalised networks The existence of formalised networks

of organisations may give a certain of organisations may give a certain stability and perspective to a system stability and perspective to a system of connections. However, the internal of connections. However, the internal (and external) connexions should also (and external) connexions should also be extremely be extremely flexibleflexible, if necessary. E.g. , if necessary. E.g. in NoEs: partners in NoEs: partners inin and partners and partners outout. .

• Apart from some difficulties in Apart from some difficulties in launching some NoEs, accompanied launching some NoEs, accompanied by the dissatisfaction of unsuccessful by the dissatisfaction of unsuccessful consortia, there are NoEs which are consortia, there are NoEs which are advancing very well.advancing very well.

New instruments in FP6New instruments in FP6

• New instruments have promoted New instruments have promoted consortia with a larger number of consortia with a larger number of organisations. One definition on organisations. One definition on ERA ERA is “is “a network of networksa network of networks”.”.

• It is argued that the multiplicity of It is argued that the multiplicity of connections is promoting an connections is promoting an efficient multi-disciplinary research. efficient multi-disciplinary research. These rapidly forming connections These rapidly forming connections are also favouring the rapid are also favouring the rapid development of science and development of science and technology.technology.

Synapses in the brain!Synapses in the brain!

• An analogy: the activity of the brain.An analogy: the activity of the brain.• Synapse:Synapse: a region where nerve a region where nerve

impulses are transmitted across a impulses are transmitted across a small gap from an axon terminal to small gap from an axon terminal to an adjacent structure, as another an adjacent structure, as another axon (Webster).axon (Webster).

• The multiciplicity of synapses makes The multiciplicity of synapses makes our brain such a powerful computing our brain such a powerful computing (and knowledge processing!) (and knowledge processing!) machine.machine.

Advanced computingAdvanced computing

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

ContentsContents



Networking on priorities Networking on priorities of FP6of FP6

• ROMNET-ERA should promote ROMNET-ERA should promote participation of participation of Romanian high-Romanian high-quality “centres” of research in quality “centres” of research in FP 6FP 6 in particular and in ERA in in particular and in ERA in general. general.

• The networking will be done on The networking will be done on priorities. priorities. Four networks are Four networks are envisagedenvisaged. One network does not . One network does not correspond exactly to one priority. correspond exactly to one priority.

List of networksList of networks

• Four networks are envisaged at Four networks are envisaged at the beginning of the project. The the beginning of the project. The tentative domains are:tentative domains are:– micro and nanotechnologies micro and nanotechnologies

(priorities 2 and 3)(priorities 2 and 3)– new materials and production new materials and production

processes (priority 3)processes (priority 3)– new materials and technologies new materials and technologies

for health (priority 1)for health (priority 1)– technologies for food and technologies for food and

security (priority 5)security (priority 5)

An “umbrella” networkAn “umbrella” network

Some centres may participate to Some centres may participate to more than one network.more than one network.

This system will form a network of This system will form a network of networks related to “networks related to “New materials New materials and technologies, with a special and technologies, with a special emphasis on the applications emphasis on the applications related to the quality of liferelated to the quality of life”,”, with with some common databases and some common databases and synergies between their activities.synergies between their activities.

See the See the nanoLINK initiative nanoLINK initiative later.later.

The objectives of these The objectives of these networks: networks:

• Collecting and disseminating Collecting and disseminating information about the resources information about the resources (competences and technical (competences and technical resources, e.g. equipments).resources, e.g. equipments).

• Establishing contacts and Establishing contacts and facilitating common proposals, facilitating common proposals, especially in European programmesespecially in European programmes

Note:Note: The main actors in these The main actors in these networks should be the so-called networks should be the so-called “research centres” presented “research centres” presented before.before.

Methodology to implement the Methodology to implement the work package activities, selection work package activities, selection

relevant to networking (1)relevant to networking (1)

• The communication platform will be The communication platform will be implemented. The data about public and implemented. The data about public and private research organizations will be private research organizations will be compiled from various sources and used to compiled from various sources and used to pursue these organizations to complete the pursue these organizations to complete the databases. databases.

• The information coming in (databases for The information coming in (databases for registration) and information going out registration) and information going out (distribution list, e-newsletter, and web (distribution list, e-newsletter, and web pages) will be continuously monitoring in pages) will be continuously monitoring in order to create a dynamic, self-generating order to create a dynamic, self-generating structure. structure.



• ••The selection (screening) of high-quality The selection (screening) of high-quality research centres and their distribution on research centres and their distribution on priorities will be performed by the priorities will be performed by the Consultative Council. The process will be Consultative Council. The process will be continuous, with the possibility to apply for re-continuous, with the possibility to apply for re-evaluation.evaluation.

• ••Networking for the four priorities will Networking for the four priorities will proceed to self-organization, with a board proceed to self-organization, with a board composed from the representatives of the composed from the representatives of the most significant organizations in the field. most significant organizations in the field. Each priority network will have a web page Each priority network will have a web page accessed through the web portal of the accessed through the web portal of the project. All networks will be designed to project. All networks will be designed to interact between them and with networks from interact between them and with networks from other ACC or MS, as well as with pan-other ACC or MS, as well as with pan-European networks.European networks.



• The networks organize contacts and The networks organize contacts and meetings, bringing together researchers meetings, bringing together researchers with similar or complementary interest, with similar or complementary interest, including foreign scientists. The catalyst including foreign scientists. The catalyst will be the increased chance to participate will be the increased chance to participate to FP 6. to FP 6.

• Identification of SMEs using selected (best) Identification of SMEs using selected (best) sources of information and promoting sources of information and promoting registration of new actors. These SME registration of new actors. These SME should be also incorporated in networks, should be also incorporated in networks, even if their main mission is not research.even if their main mission is not research.



• One characteristic of this One characteristic of this methodology is the central role of methodology is the central role of communication and self-organisation. communication and self-organisation.

• The conventional means are The conventional means are complemented by new an innovative complemented by new an innovative means of electronic communication, means of electronic communication, characteristic to the knowledge – characteristic to the knowledge – based society. based society.

• Even the project management benefits Even the project management benefits from such techniques which improves from such techniques which improves its efficiency.its efficiency.

Pilot networkPilot network

• Apart from mobilising the actors Apart from mobilising the actors in Romania, the project should in Romania, the project should promote extensive contacts with promote extensive contacts with external partners. The last external partners. The last feature will be exemplified feature will be exemplified below.below.

• The first network, on “micro and The first network, on “micro and nanotechnologies” should be a nanotechnologies” should be a pilot networkpilot network for the other three for the other three (may be also for others).(may be also for others).

Previous experiencePrevious experience

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

ContentsContents


ROMNET-ERAROMNET-ERA4.4.A regional roleA regional role 5.5.First resultsFirst results

Synergy with other Synergy with other projects …projects …

• Two other SSA will be important for Two other SSA will be important for their contribution to external their contribution to external connections. connections.

• One of them is One of them is MINAEAST-NET MINAEAST-NET (Micro and NAnotechnologies going (Micro and NAnotechnologies going EAST through NETworking) and is EAST through NETworking) and is devoted to networking in Eastern devoted to networking in Eastern Europe and it is coordinated by IMT-Europe and it is coordinated by IMT-Bucharest. It will start at 1st of May Bucharest. It will start at 1st of May 2004 and last for 24 months.2004 and last for 24 months.

NEXUS PLUS (1)NEXUS PLUS (1)

• Another SSA (financed by IST DG, Another SSA (financed by IST DG, micro and nanosystems) is called micro and nanosystems) is called “NEXUS – Supporting IPs and NoEs, “NEXUS – Supporting IPs and NoEs, ensuring SME representation and ensuring SME representation and introducing ACC partners” (acronym introducing ACC partners” (acronym NEXUS PLUSNEXUS PLUS). ).

• NEXUS is the biggest network in NEXUS is the biggest network in microsystems and nanotechnologies, microsystems and nanotechnologies, based in Europe (Grenoble, France).based in Europe (Grenoble, France).

NEXUS PLUS (2)NEXUS PLUS (2)

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

NEXUS PLUS (3)NEXUS PLUS (3)• Recently, IMT-Bucharest was selected Recently, IMT-Bucharest was selected

as a subcontractor in NEXUS PLUS. as a subcontractor in NEXUS PLUS. IMT will cover again the Eastern IMT will cover again the Eastern Europe, promoting the participation of Europe, promoting the participation of research centres, as well as SMEs in research centres, as well as SMEs in NoEs and IPs from candidate countries NoEs and IPs from candidate countries and (since 1st of May 2004) new and (since 1st of May 2004) new member states of EU.member states of EU.

• On 14-15 May 2004, in Brussels, On 14-15 May 2004, in Brussels, NEXUS will organise presentations of NEXUS will organise presentations of existing NoEs and IPs, to facilitate existing NoEs and IPs, to facilitate contacts with possible new partnerscontacts with possible new partners

• EURONET: presentation of NoEs for EURONET: presentation of NoEs for the first time, in Sinaia, Romania the first time, in Sinaia, Romania (Sept. 2003)(Sept. 2003)

IMT in other networks in IMT in other networks in FP6FP6

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

ContentsContents



ROMNET-ROMNET-NANONANO

• Results in ROMNET-ERA (networking, Results in ROMNET-ERA (networking, databases).databases).

• A national network in nanosciences A national network in nanosciences and nanotechnologies (27and nanotechnologies (27thth of of January, 2004)January, 2004)

• Partner matching in FP 6, NMP call Partner matching in FP 6, NMP call from December 2003from December 2003

• Statistics related to the interest Statistics related to the interest /resources of 54 Romanian research /resources of 54 Romanian research centres centres

NMP (nanotechnology, materials, production) priority in PC6: domains1. Nanotechnologies and nanosciences 2. Knowledge-based Multifunctional Materials3. New Production Processes and Devices 4. Integration of nanotechnologies, new materials, and new production

technologies

0

10

20

30

40

50

1 2 3 4

Research

Education

Total by domain

54

Total number of centres

NMP (nanotechnology, materials, production) priority in PC6: Nanotechnologies and nanosciences (competence/ resources)

1. Long-term interdisciplinary research into understanding phenomena, mastering processes and developing research tools

2. Nano-biotechnologies 3. Nanometre-scale engineering techniques to create materials and components4. Development of handling and control devices and instruments5. Applications in areas such as health and medical systems, chemistry, energy, optics, food

and the environment

0

5

10

15

20

1 2 3 4 5

Research

Education

NMP (nanotechnology, materials, production) priority in PC6: Nanotechnologies and nanosciences (proposal/ interest)

1. Long-term interdisciplinary research into understanding phenomena, mastering processes and developing research tools

2. Nano-biotechnologies 3. Nanometre-scale engineering techniques to create materials and components4. Development of handling and control devices and instruments5. Applications in areas such as health and medical systems, chemistry, energy, optics, food

and the environment

0

5

10

15

20

1 2 3 4 5

Research

Education

Other priorities?Other priorities?

• The “nanoLINK” initiative: a The “nanoLINK” initiative: a network of networks related network of networks related to “to “New materials and New materials and technologies, with a special technologies, with a special emphasis on the applications emphasis on the applications related to the quality of liferelated to the quality of life”,”,

• nanoLINK is an “umbrella” for nanoLINK is an “umbrella” for a number of projects/networksa number of projects/networks

Appreciation …….Appreciation …….

IMT was prised as …………” IMT was prised as …………” a a pioneer of integration in ERA in pioneer of integration in ERA in Eastern EuropeEastern Europe””

Commissioner for ResearchCommissioner for ResearchPhilippe BusquinPhilippe Busquin

66thth of February, 2004 of February, 2004

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

Documents

network of networks

system of connections

scientific network

knowledge information

exchange of knowledge

spontaneous networking

invisible networks

multiplicity of connections