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Call launched to support internationalisation of defence clusters
The EU’s COSME programme published its "Clusters Go International" call-for-proposals on 13 September 2017. It aims to support defence and security-related clusters and business network organisations to:
- intensify collaboration across borders with other non-defence industrial clusters; and
- develop and implement joint strategies for dual use technologies, products and services towards non-EU countries.
With a budget of EUR 800,000, the call complements the Commission’s European Defence Action Plan, adopted in 2016, as it should improve access to EU funding for Europe’s defence supply chains, particularly SMEs.
The deadline for submitting proposals is 13 December 2017.
For the call’s details and related information. |
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Call published for building evidence on defence-related skills
On 31 August, the EU published under the COSME programme an invitation to tender for a service to build evidence on skills shortages, set up a European Defence Skills Partnership and define the sector's strategy agreed among the defence stakeholders.
The action (with a budget of up to EUR 800,000 for 1 year) was announced in the European Defence Action Plan and is part of the Blueprint for sectoral cooperation on skills initiative for fostering skill development at the sectoral level. Commission actions on defence-related skills are planned to support the European Defence Fund.
The deadline for responding to the call is 28 November 2017.
Access the tender’s details.
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New EU publication highlights dual use funding opportunities
A new brochure on EU funding opportunities for dual use has just been issued by the European Commission. It gives concrete examples of SMEs that have successfully exploited EU funding to develop their dual use projects and thus strengthen their business.
Designed to help SMEs understand how the EU’s different funding tools work, the “Dual use technology in the EU” brochure focuses on:
- ESIF’s support for technology transfers, prototyping, innovation uptake and other steps to help businesses diversify or migrate from one sector to another;
- Horizon 2020’s funding of dual use projects with civil application potential;
- COSME’s financial opportunities for boosting cooperation between clusters and partnerships between companies.
The new publication is available online in 7 languages (English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Spanish and Swedish).
For free hard copies, ENDR Members should send a request by e-mail to info@endr.eu - specifying the desired number of hard copies, the language and the delivery address - by 13 October 2017. |
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Committee of the Regions' event on defence R&D opportunities for SMEs, clusters and regions
The Committee of the Regions will host an event on 21 November (date to be confirmed) to inform its stakeholders about current and forthcoming regional funding opportunities for SMEs and clusters concerning the promotion of innovation in the area of defence.
The briefing to the Committee of the Regions' members and stakeholders will be held by EU, regional and industry speakers. It will provide explanations and case studies on how the European Structural and Investment Funds and the recently launched European Defence Fund initiative are supporting research and innovation at the regional level for SMEs and other players.
The event will be webcasted. More information will follow soon.
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ENDR members workshop to discuss network’s future
ENDR will host its first members workshop in Brussels on 26 October to review the network’s activities since its launch a year ago. On this occasion, feedback on ENDR’s achievements will be gathered and suggestions for future roll-out and activities will be discussed. By the end of 2017, the Commission will release a Roadmap on the future of ENDR.
More information on the ENDR members.
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EU’s raw materials conference to include focus on defence and space
The EU’s fifth annual “Raw Materials Week” will take place in Brussels during 6-10 November. Sponsored by the Commission’s European Innovation Partnership research platform, the conference will feature a session on 8 November devoted to the raw material needs of Europe’s industrial base regarding its defence and aerospace sectors.
More information and registration.
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