http://b-bice-plus.

eu 1
Newsletter l April & May 2014
Dear Colleagues,
In May 2008, the so-called Ljubljana Process was launched by the European Council of Minis-
ters with two ultimate conclusions concerning Europes research system. Firstly, the process
would refocus governance of and develop common visions for European research while estab-
lishing the European Research Area (ERA) as a main pillar for tackling Europes common chal-
lenges. Though also, it would prioritize the full realization of a wide opening of the ERA to the
world, which gave Europes Lisbon strategy for strengthening its scientifc and technological
base a strategically international dimension (Council 2008).
In part, this was done with the realization that accelerating globalization, with all the confron-
tations that it brings, also creates particularly benefcial opportunities for coordinating action.
If our societies are indeed sharing and difusing knowledge and ideas at higher and higher
rates, then we can at least attempt to direct some of this momentum towards the achievement
of our shared aspirations.
In particular, the European Union and Brazil have chosen to ramp up scientifc and technologi-
cal cooperation to target major global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity, energy
security, and ICT and the digital divide, most recently with initiatives such as Horizon 2020, Sci-
ence without Borders and the so-called coordinated calls, among others. Though, while ST&I
cooperation plays a crucial role in ensuring scientifc excellence and promoting the interna-
tional mobility of researchers and brain circulation, the way that the equal inclusion of all mem-
bers of society can beneft this pursuit must be considered.
It is for this reason that we have decided on the theme Women in Science, Technology and
Innovation for this edition of the B.BICE+ Newsletter, our frst. Science, technology, and inno-
vation have been prioritized by policy-makers worldwide because these sectors have the po-
tential to be transformative to a nations economic and industrial base. However, we invite you
throughout this edition to also consider the gender dimension of ST&I and how the promotion
of gender equality in research and the sciences has the potential for being equally benefcial by
acting as a vector for social change in society as a whole.
For the frst edition of the B.BICE+ Newsletter we have chosen to prepare a special issue with 30
pages including interviews and analysis regarding the theme Women in Science, Technology
and Innovation. The following editions will be more succinct while maintaining a special sec-
tion presenting analysis on a featured theme relevant for the EU-Brazil cooperation on ST&I.
Your B.BICE+ Team
This project has received funding from
the European Unions Seventh Framework
Programme for research, technological
development and demonstration under
grant agreement No. 312190
THE CONSORTIUM
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In this Edition //
Updates from B.BICE + //
Upcoming call for participation in the EU-Brazil Technology &
Innovation Forum...................................................................................
Tour of Brazil Events...............................................................................
Featured Story //
Article: Brazilian women lead in sceince, technology and in-
novation, study shows..........................................................................
Exclusive interview with Dr. Alice Abreu, Emeritus Professor
of the Federal University of Rio de Janerio (UFRJ) in Brazil.......
Success Story //
Dr. Katharina Averdunk, coordinator of the Macauba
Project........................................................................................................
News from Brazil //
Brazils new Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation
embarks on an ambitious endeavor....................................................
Brazil combats dengue with genetically modifed
mosquitoes...............................................................................................
News from Europe //
Gender Summit 4 Europe 2014.......................................................
European Women Researchers Day...............................................
2015 Ofcially Designated European Year of Development..
News on Cooperation //
EU - Brazil Cooperation
EU-Brazil Summit announces measures in Science,
Technology, and Innovation................................................................
EU-Brazil relations strengthened with the creation of
a Delegation of the European Parliament for Relations
with Brazil..............................................................................................
Strategic Forum for International Science & Technology
Cooperation (SFIC) meets in Brussels................................................
Semana da Europa kicks of in Brazil!..................................................
EURAXESS Links Brazil.........................................................................
Bi-Regional Cooperation
The 4
th
Senior Ofcials Meeting: Cooperation between the EU
and the Community of Latin American & Caribbean States .........
EU Member State - Brazil Cooperation
The UK launches Newton Fund for research in Brazil and other
emerging countries...............................................................................
Agreement between CNPq and the British Council
broadens scientifc cooperation ....................................................
Brazilian-German Symposium on Renewable Energies to
be held.......................................................................................................
Featured Programs and Calls //
Horizon 2020...........................................................................................
Universal Call MCTI/CNPq - Call for Projects 2014........................
Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa e Inovao Industrial - Call for
Participants.............................................................................................
Brazil and France CAPES-COFECUB and USP-COFECUB
Partnership Research and Exchange Programs.............................
Chile Call for Proposals in Support of International
Networking between Research Centers..........................................
Para Mulheres na Cincia.......................................................................
Irne Joliot-Curie Prize for Female Scientists in France ..........
Featured Events //
FAPEMIG International Lecture Series 2014 - So Pedro.........
8th FORTEC Event on Evolving from Intellectual Property
Management to Strategic Business Units......................................
Cloudscape Brazil Conference...........................................................
Subscribe to the News-
letter on the home-
page of our website to
automatically receive
quarterly updates from
the B.BICE+ team.
Updates from B.BICE+ //
B.BICE+ has a new website!
The B.BICE+ website offers several tools and services for both policy-makers
and researchers interested in EU-Br cooperation in ST&I:
Context on the EU-Brazil Policy Dialogue in ST&I; a Program & Calls
Database with opportunities including Horizon 2020; News & Events; and
other resources; Subscribe to the newsletter
Coming soon to the B.BICE+ website: Updates to the Program & Calls
Database, an EU-Brazil Guide to Innovation, and an Institutional Mapping Tool
Upcoming call for participation in the
EU-Brazil Technology & Innovation Forum
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The EU - Brazil Technology and Innovation Forum is organized by the B.BICE+ consortium at the occasion of
the ANPROTECs annual seminar on Science Parks and Business incubation, held this year in Belm (Brazil).
Belm (Brazil)
September 22 - 25, 2014
Given the opportunity to promote links with Brazilian
innovation actors, B.BICE+ will organize several events and
encounters:
September 22
nd
morning: Training for Brazilian SMEs,
Technological Parks and other innovation actors on
opportunities for cooperation with Europe. This is event will
be organized as part of the Tour of Brazil
September 22
nd
afternoon: B2B encounters between
Brazilian and European research and innovation actors
September 23
rd
: Training and exchange on EU and Brazilian
best practices on Technology Transfer and innovation
management
Date TBA: High level round table on IPR for European and
Brazilian experts
September 25
th
morning: Plenary session: Paths toward
international cooperation: experiences from Europe, Brazil
and other emerging countries (Joint B.BICE+ / ANPROTEC
Plenary session)
How to participate
This call will identify about 30 participants with the
following profiles:
European and Brazilian research and innovation actors
interested in Business to Business and Business to Research
opportunities: SMEs, Science & Technology Parks, Business
Incubators, Universities, Research Center, Clusters, and
Innovation Centers, among others
Technology transfer professionals
Innovation and research agencies
Brazilian and European IPR experts
The participation of the selected candidates will be
financed by B.BICE+.
Visit our website for more
information or to apply
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Tour of Brazil: Opportunities for
Cooperation with Europe on Innovation
Organized by the European Union Delegation to Brazil and the Embassies of the EU Member States, with
the support of B.BICE+ and EURAXESS, the Tour of Brazil is a series of events scheduled in Brazil for 2014.
Featured Events
Minas Gerais Event
May 15, 2014
The Government of Minas Gerais, through the
Secretariat of State for Science, Technology and Higher
Education (SECTES), together with the European
Union delegation in Brazil and the Embassy of
Poland, organized the event: Tour of Brazil: Science,
Technology and innovation in the European Union,
held in the Administrative City of Minas Gerais.
Time: 9h - 17h
Location: Bairro Serra Verde, Prdio Gerais / 9 andar
Address: Rodovia Prefeito Amrico Gianetti, 4143
Learn More
FIESP Event in So Paulo
May 22, 2014
With the participation of the Ambassador of the
European Union Delegation to Brazil, Ana Paula Zacarias,
as well as Brazilian and European specialists in the area
of technological innovation this event will focus on
European research and innovation projects, Horizon
2020, and the EURAXESS network.
Time: 8h30 12h30
Location: Edifcio Sede da FIESP
Address: Avenida Paulista, 1313 So Paulo/SP
Learn More
The events will
take place in vari-
ous Brazilian states
throughout 2014
and target research
and innovation
authorities (FAPs,
Secretariats of Research and Education) as well as other
interested members of the research and innovation commu-
nity (universities, research centers, SMEs, technological parks,
clusters, start-ups).
Tour of Brazil sessions will provide information on European
research and innovation cooperation programs - Horizon
2020 and Member States programs - open to Brazilian organi-
zations or individuals interested in carrying out research and
innovation projects with Europe. The events will also present
information and services for better understanding the EU ST&I
landscape and guidance for more efectively taking advan-
tage of European research and innovation opportunities.
Additionally, the Tour of Brazil events will lend an
occasion for networking of European and Brazilian
ST&I contacts and strengthening bilateral relations.
Visit the European Delegation to Brazils page on
the Tour of Brazil.
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Featured Story //
Brazilian women lead in science,
technology and innovation, study shows
By ALEXANDRA MENDREK-LASKE
A
ccording to a series of gender benchmar-
king studies led by experts from the Wo-
men in Global Science & Technology (WISAT)
and the Organization for Women in Science for
the Developing World (OWSD), Brazil ranks just
behind the European Union and the United
States in terms of overall assessments of gen-
der equality in the knowledge society.
This framework study brings together data
on womens economic activities, participa-
tion in economic and political decision-ma-
king, knowledge and skills, their health, well-
being, status and the conditions in which
they live to draw a portrait of the level of gender equality,
empowerment, and the successful participation of women in
the knowledge society for the respective countries studied.
In most countries of the world, women considerably lack access
to information and technology in comparison with men, and
are increasingly underrepresented in education, entrepreneur-
ship, and employment opportunities. Failure to actively address
such discrepancies may lead to continued marginalization of
women from the rapidly-evolving digital and knowledge world
and a deterioration of womens ability to design, create, and
take advantage of the opportunities of the knowledge society.
This may also have negative efects on society as a whole, in-
cluding through frustrating sustainable economic growth and
the achievement of poverty reduction and development goals.
The study indicates that womens contributions to sustainable
socio-economic development as food producers and providers,
owners of micro and small-scale enterprises, healthcare provid-
ers, household managers, educators, and natural resource man-
agers, are all integral factors in alleviating poverty and achiev-
ing the Millennium Development Goals (WISAT 2012).
The Brazil Story
While third overall, Brazil ranks frst in womens participation
in the knowledge economy and in science, technology, and
innovation, as well as in womens agency. Brazil is second in
health, opportunity, and capacity and enabling policy, and
third in social status, economic status and access to resources.
On the other hand, Brazil ranks relatively low (forth out of se-
ven) in decision-making in knowledge society, illustrating the
need in Brazil to increase the number of women in leadership
to better refect their overall participation in the feld.
Brazils successes in this respect stem from a wide range of fac-
tors and former programs that have specifcally targeted so-
cial inequalities and increased womens position both inside
and outside of the home. In the past ten years, special atten-
tion has been paid to addressing social and gender inequali-
ties in the country, for example, by allowing for greater access
to contraceptives and paid maternity leave, and thus in-
creasing womens labor force participation.
The Bolsa Famlia (Family Stipend), enacted by President Luiz In-
cio Lula da Silva in Brazil in 2003, has
afected women positively
through its reduction of gen-
eral poverty in the country. The
frst of the programs goals is
reducing short-term poverty
by cash transfers and the sec-
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This study was initially posted
on March 13, 2013 by the Elsevier Foundation.
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ond aims at boosting human capital amongst the poor through
conditional cash transfers. The Bolsa Famlia is said to be one fac-
tor contributing to the decline in poverty in Brazil, which fell by
27.7 percent during the Lula administration (World Bank 2005).

An enabling national policy environment has improved the
condition of the Brazilian woman, her social and economic
status, her access to physical and non-tangible resources like
property and education, and her agency and role in decision-
making. The importance of such measures cannot be unde-
restimated when considering that the position of women to
contribute and beneft from the knowledge society depends
on if they have the full range of gender equality rights, bene-
fts, and opportunities (WISAT-OWSD 2013).
Brazil, Women, and ST&I
Though it is perhaps Brazils substantial investment in ST&I the
largest in Latin America and the Caribbean that can best ac-
count for the nations successes. A strong national base of
science and technology capacity is considered fundamental to
long-term economic growth, innovation, and research; it allows
for the development of technological solutions in areas such as
food production, water and sanitation, and energy. Developing
a scientifc and technological workforce and population implies
a population who understands and actively uses ST&I to im-
prove their livelihoods and possibly bridge social gaps.
Brazil invests generously in ST&I about 1.4 percent of its GDP
and has enacted considerable programs and policies to sup-
port ST&I education for all. Scholarship opportunities, particu-
larly at the graduate level and in science and technology, are
transparent and open to all, aiding in womens participation.
This contrasts with the situation of many societies wherein the
gender imbalance endures as a result of a wide range of barri-
ers from unwillingness of families to support their daughters
in higher levels of education, to preconceptions that science
and technology is a male domain, to teaching methods that
privilege boys.
Brazilian women constitute more than half of all tertiary-level
students and are a majority in health (58%) and biological
sciences (62%). While females in Brazil make up lower percen-
tages in science, technology, and engineering, female enroll-
ments have been increasing: the number of females enrolled
in engineering has increased 17 percent since the year 2000.
Although globally, there exist consistently low levels of women
engaged in the skilled technology workforce, women in Brazil
constitute the majority of three out of eight technology profes-
sions: biotechnology, information, and support technician in bio-
technology categories. However, fewer women are employed in
engineering and technology and information management.
That said, the gender dimension of science and technology
has become an increasingly important issue worldwide. In the
drive to strength knowledge-based societies and technologi-
cal advancements, policy-makers are looking to ensure that
their countries have an adequate supply of researchers, indi-
cating the need to tap into both halves of the population.
Moreover, if the inclusion of women in ST&I sectors of the
economy is successful, ST&I has the potential for not only be-
ing economically transformative by yielding innovative and
wealth-generating outputs to be used by everyone. An efec-
tive, inclusionary ST&I sector can also be socially transforma-
tive by acting as a vector for promoting gender equality in
society as a whole.
Assessment
Though this study concludes that the gender divide in know-
ledge society continues to exist in all countries of the world,
Brazil ranks the highest of all countries studied after the Euro-
pean Union and the United States, evaluated even above the
Republic of South Korea.
These fndings may be due to a highly enabling policy envi-
ronment for women, efective implementation of strategies,
and inclusionary investment in ST&I. Women have been taking
advantage of opportunities made available by a growing edu-
cation and research system and are increasing their numbers
in some areas of science, technology, and engineering.
Continue to the next section for an interview
with Dr. Alice Rangel de Paiva Abreu,
Professora Emrita, Universidade Federal do Rio
de Janeiro and the lead national researcher in
Brazil for this study.
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Featured Story //
Exclusive interview with Dr. Alice Abreu
Alice R. de P. Abreu,
is Emeritus Professor of
the Federal University
of Rio de Janeiro
(UFRJ) in Brazil. PhD in
Social Sciences from
the University of So
Paulo Brazil (1980), and
M.Sc. in Sociology from
the London School
of Economics and
Political Science of the
University of London
(1971), she was a Full Professor of Sociology at UFRJ
until 2005, and has published extensively in sociology
of work and gender. She held a number of important
positions within the academic community of Brazil
and internationally, which included the Director of the
Regional Ofce for Latin America and the Caribbean
of the International Council for Science (ICSU) (2007-
2010), the Vice Presidency of the National Research
Council for Scientifc and Technological Development
(CNPq) in Brazil, and Director of the Ofce of Education,
Science and Technology of the Organization of
American States, in Washington D.C.
B.BICE+: Briefy, how would you describe the
current status of the woman engaged in sci-
ence, technology, and innovation in your
country / region?
Dr. Abreu: I will start by saying that, unfortunately, women do
not lead science in Brazil, in spite to being the majority of stu-
dents fnishing their university course in 15 out of 23 disciplines;
as well as being the majority of PhD graduates since 2004.
What the study shows is that women in Brazil have beneft-
ted from the important changes in Brazilian society and by the
steady support for S&T in the last 60 years. The modernization
of Brazilian society saw an increased participation of women
in the labor market, and strong demographic changes, with
increased life expectancy, lower fertility rates and changes in
family structure, especially in the more developed southeast
of the country.
These changes were supported by a strong institutionalization
of social and economic policies (health, violence against wom-
en, workers rights and equal pay, social security and money
transfers mechanisms). The creation of a National Council for
Women Rights in 1985, transformed in 2003 into the Special
Secretariat for Womens Policies with ministerial status, gave
important visibility to gender issues in the government struc-
ture. An Observatory organized by the Secretary is an import
source of information in the priority areas that are covered.
It is, however the specifc aspects of the Brazilian system of
science and technology that can explain the strong partici-
pation of women in this area. One important aspect is that
education in federal and state universities in Brazil is free of
charge, at both undergraduate and graduate levels. These
universities represent today approximately 35% of higher
education institutions, but incorporate almost the whole re-
search community of Brazil.
In 1951, two central institutions were created, which are still
major players in the S&T system today. The frst was the Na-
tional Research Council (CNPq Conselho National de Desen-
volvimento Cientfco e Tecnolgico) with the central aim of
supporting scientifc research in universities. The second was
CAPES (Coordenao de Aperfeioamento de Pessoal de Ensino
Superior), at the Ministry of Education, aiming at training uni-
versity lecturers. In 1985, the Ministry of Science and Technol-
ogy was created.
The Brazilian capacity building efort has increased and diver-
sifed substantially from its starting point in the early 1950s.
Between CNPq and CAPES at the federal level, and agencies
at the state level, several diferent support mechanisms have
been put in place throughout these last decades. They have
ranged from research funding granted through competitive
calls for projects, to a wide range of scholarships and fellow-
ships supporting students and researchers at diferent points
in their careers. Established in a transparent and decentral-
ized manner, women were able to compete for these diferent
types of scholarships and are today, as mentioned before, the
majority at all levels at the capacity building level (undergrad-
uate, MScs and PhDs).
Women are, however, con-
centrated in certain areas, an
absolute majority in humani-
ties and social sciences, and in
certain disciplines of the ex-
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act sciences, with a noticeable decrease in their participation
in physics, mathematics, computer science, astronomy and
certain specialties of engineering.
Another, quite diferent picture emerges when you look at the
higher echelons of scientifc careers. One important indicator
are data regarding the Senior Research Fellowships, a program
of fellowships that distributes around 6000 grants on a very
competitive basis for the best researchers in the country. This
is the only program in which the participation of women has
remained stable in the last decade, representing around 32
to 33% on average of these fellowships. At its highest level,
women never exceeded 22 to 23% of the grants.
This same difculty in attaining high decision-making posi-
tions in the system is visible if you look at the diferent sci-
ence institutions and organizations. There is a fagrant lack of
reliable statistics regarding these issues, but the number of
women rectors in Federal and State Universities, the number
of Full Professors, even in disciplines with majority of women,
number of high-level positions in the system, they all show
that women are not there yet.
Whether it is a question of time - and women will have to wait
a few more years to see if this strong baseline group efectively
climbs to the higher levels of the system - remains to be seen.
One must also remember that in spite of the enormous prog-
ress in the last two decades, the number of PhDs and MScs
is still a very small fraction of the Brazilian population. An es-
timate based on the National Household Survey has counted
580 thousand masters and PhDs in 2008, representing 0.31% of
the 190 million inhabitants of Brazil in that year. Comparing the
number of PhDs by a thousand inhabitants between 25 and 64
years of age of Brazil and selected countries, one sees that Brazil
has 1.4 PhDs, while the USA has 8.4, Germany 15.6.
So Brazil has a long way to go to create an effective base
for a knowledge society, and it is important to assure that
women will be an inclusive part of this process and partici-
pate fully in the system.
What are the main challenges related to the
promotion of gender equality in the knowl-
edge society?
What the comparative study shows clearly is the need of more
detailed information and reliable statistics regarding gender
in the system as a whole. Without clear data on the partici-
pation of women at the diferent areas of the system, it will
not be possible to establish a reliable picture of the position
of women in the knowledge society. Brazil has a good rating
in this issue if compared to other countries in the region and
even with some developed countries, but the sex-disaggre-
gated data is still confned to certain areas.
The CAPES evaluation data of the more than 3000 gradu-
ate programs in the country, which would give us a reliable
overview of the graduate system, does not dispose of any sex
disaggregated information in its website, for example. Par-
ticipation of women in the knowledge-related sectors of the
economy is very hard to come by. Universities rarely dispose
of this kind of data in a systematic and easy manner. An im-
portant example to be followed would be to emulate the SHE
FIGURES of the European Commission.
What are the objectives currently promoted
through policies and programs aiming to
support women working in science, tech-
nology and innovation felds? Are there ob-
jectives to be better promoted or that are
not sufciently covered by current policies
and programs?
The Brazilian experience shows that, given a level playing feld
and balanced opportunities, women will be able to compete
and participate in the S&T system. There are however real
bottlenecks regarding certain scientifc areas and at diferent
moments of a scientifc career. It would be interesting to look
at the international experience to see how to promote specifc
policies to overcome these. Two important examples come
to mind. The frst program called ADVANCE comes from the
United States. A 10-year grant is given in a highly competitive
manner to universities that present an incentive program to
increase female participation in scientifc careers.
The other good example is the working group created by
the European Commission, known as the Helsinki Group on
Women and Science. Created with the mandate to promote
discussion and exchange experiences on measures and
policies devised and implemented at local, regional, national
and European level to encourage participation of women
in scientifc careers and research. It is also
charged with providing sex-disaggregated
statistics and developing gender sensitive
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indicators in order to monitor the participation of women in
European research.
Brazil would proft greatly if a similar group were created,
looking transversally at the national system of science,
technology and innovation.
What initiatives are likely to be more
appropriate and efcient in order to attract
girls and women to careers in science?
The experience has shown that any successful initiative
has to start early and has to be applied simultaneously at
diferent levels of the career path. Given the positive trend
in many countries in the increase of women in university
courses, one may think that there will be a trend to gender
parity in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Unfortunately, evidence indicates that increased numbers
of girls and women in the lower level has not increased
numbers in the higher echelons, nor has it greatly infuenced
parity in certain areas and disciplines.
In fact, if you look at the trajectory of a scientifc career, there
are several pivotal moments that infuence the loss or the
permanence of girls and young women in science, from the
initial training to the job market, from the advancement of
young professionals to high-level decision-making positions
in the academic world.
Diferent initiatives and policies should be devised for
these diferent moments of the scientifc career. Here again,
a dedicated work group would help to propose focused
policies and initiatives.
How may international cooperation in ST&I
improve gender equality in ST&I?
International cooperation is fundamental to expose scientists
and researchers to other experiences and ethos, to expand
collaborative work and publications, and to promote
advancement and excellence in scientifc careers. To have
women fully integrated in these programs is important,
but experience shows that the family/career balance is an
important factor to allow this to happen. To devise ways of
addressing this problem to promote gender equity would be
an important step.
Do you have a message or any suggestions
or comments to give to the European
or Brazilian institutions that fnance
collaborative research and innovation
projects?
Once again, looking at interesting practices already in place in
some international programs, especially the European grant
programs, can show us what the good practices in this issue
are. Many of these programs have clear norms and directives to
the committee members regarding gender equity and this is a
simple and efective action to introduce. It does not introduce
quotas, which I think do not equate with the importance of
maintaining excellence in science, but it does suggest targets
and alert against prejudices, in such a way that the feld is
leveled for women candidates.
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Success Story //
Dr. Katharina Averdunk, coordinator of
the Macauba Project
Innovative Methods in Agroforestry
T
he Macauba research project aims at developing concepts
on an environmentally, socially and economically sustainable
production of vegetable oils. In the past decade, global plant oil
demand for food, feed and fuel production has constantly risen.
The resulting increase in supply often triggered deforestation.
Large tracts of rainforests were cleared to produce plant oils such
as palm and soybean oil with irreversible negative impacts on the
worlds ecosystems.
Avoiding such negative efects is possible if additional volumes
of vegetable oil are produced without direct or indirect land
use change. As proven by this research project, production
systems without land use change can be economically, socially
and environmentally sustainable.
By integrating Macauba palm trees into existing pastures (so
called silvo-pastoral systems), grass yields of the pastures
are not reduced. Consequently, no direct or indirect land use
change occurs. Macauba has the potential to be produced
on 500,000 km
2
(or 50million ha) of available pastures in the
Brazilian Cerrado. The palm tree is already native to most parts
of the Cerrado and could be cultivated in the entire region.
In this manner, pastureland in Brazil could be used to produce up
to 60 million tons of oil each year. Macauba pulp and kernel oil
have similar properties and quality palm oil and palm kernel oil
Macauba (Acrocomia aculeata) palm tree
needs signifcantly less precipitation than the
conventional oil palm and is resistant to droughts;
can be integrated into existing pastures without
reducing grass yields as demonstrated by the
Centro Agronmico Tropical de Investigacin y
Enseanza;
yields at least 30-40kg of fruit per palm per year,
which can be processed into plant oil, animal fod-
der, and a dense biomass granulate;
is native to the Cerrado project region of Brazil.
(Source Climate Investment Funds)
Agroforestry system with Macauba trees on pasture land
which are the most important oils on the world market today
and could substitute for those products. Thereby, Macauba
oil could become the worlds most important plant oil without
destroying natural reserves or changing current land use.This
could be realized by employing an innovative aforestation
method as opposed to deforestation for monocultures.
Moreover, Macauba is harvested later in the season than cofee,
implying the possibility for workers to earn additional incomes at
a time when seasonal unemployment rates usually rise. Therefore
this approach is economically
viable with smallholder
integration in training,
employment and income
diversifcation. (CIF)
For this edition of Success Stories on EU-Brazil cooperation
in ST&I, B.BICE+ spoke to Dr. Katharina Averdunk, who has
been working as project developer in the feld of alternative
oil plants for the past seven years and initiated the Macauba
Project.
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International Partnerships in Science and Industry
The Macaucba research project took place in the Cerrado
region of Alto do Paranaiba, Minas Gerais, Brazil. It was based on
knowledge and experience from a previous European Union-
funded research project at Leuphana University Lneburg,
Germany. This three-year research program focusing on the
sustainable production of plant oil was supported by the
innovation incubator in Lneburg with a total budget of
2.7million. The innovation incubator - a project that is unique
in Europe aims to promote the economy in the former
governmental area of Lneburg (a Convergence Region).
It is funded by the European Union in the amount of nearly
64 million allocated by the European Regional Development
Fund (ERDF); the Federal State of Lower Saxony provides
funding in the amount of 22 million.
The concepts developed in the context of the research project
will be implemented in cooperation with a German spin-of
company of the Leuphana University (INOCAS) and a Brazilian
farmer cooperative (Coopatos).
Being based on extensive research, the project developed
by INOCAS was ranked as the best project world-wide in a
global competition for funding through the World Banks
Climate Investment Fund. Besides a USD 3million loan, the
project will receive a USD 1million grant by the Inter-American
Development Bank. The project will serve as a fagship model
and implement the results of the research by establishing
the worlds frst silvopastoral Macauba pilot with signifcant
potential to scale.
Weighing of a fruit bushel
Brazilian Minister of Agriculture (2
nd
from left) with representatives from
Leuphana University Lneburg
Cooperation at the Macauba Conference
Several universities have been working on diferent aspects
regarding the cultivation of Macauba palm trees. The support
of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research
(BMBF) has sponsored the organization of and participate in
the frst international conference on Macauba palms.
For the frst time
researchers from Brazil, Germany, Paraguay and other
international universities;
companies and university spin-ofs involved in the sector;
government organizations such as EMBRAPA;
politicians;
and other stakeholders such as farmer organizations
met in Brazil to exchange knowledge on Macauba, presenting
their work and building up the basis for future cooperation. The
conference was an important step to consolidate knowledge,
identify research gaps, and give political recommendations.
Among the participants of the event was the Brazilian Minister
of Agriculture which highlights the relevance of the Macauba
Conference and led to much press coverage. The experience
with working with international partners in the context of
the Macauba Conference is described by Dr.
Averdunk as excellent.
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News from Brazil //
Brazils new Minister of Science, Technology
and Innovation embarks on an ambitious
endeavor
On the 17
th
of March, the new Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation was appointed by
President Dilma Roussef. The economist, Cllio Campolina Diniz, served previously as Rector of the
Federal University and as CEO of Belo Horizonte Technology Park (BHTec). In 2010, he was appointed
to the Council for Economic and Social Development (CDES), an advisory body to the Presidency.
In his current role, Campolina is now aiming to give continuity to the orientation given to sci-
ence by President Roussef by means of taking on an ambitious plan for Brazilian science, which
consists of a long-term vision as well as fast-paced progress. A plan with clear priorities, public
use of projects, and objective selection criteria will allow us to overcome the current fragmen-
tation of investment in research and development and will encourage an entire new genera-
tion of scientifc researchers and innovative enterprises, said the newly-appointed Minister.
Campolina is betting the viability of his program on the direct input of the scientifc and tech-
nological community. If successful, his investment plan will create over the next decade an en-
tire generation of scientists and technological experts, placing the country closer to the knowl-
edge frontier. The exact priorities, means, and strategies to be mobilized to reach this goal and
build this program are to be discussed within the National Council on Science and Technology.
Campolina believes that Brazil can revolutionize its productive structure if the country correct-
ly defnes and pinpoints priorities in key scientifc and technological sectors. The economist
hopes to harness science to produce to boost Brazilian competitiveness, economic growth,
and wealth creation. While building consensus with regard to the role played by science for in-
novation, the most important challenge lies in the organization and the institutionalization of
this process of technology transfer.
Internalization and Internationalization
Another challenge the Min-
ister will deal with during
this mandate is providing
incentives for the internal-
ization of research and in-
novation, and most of all, at-
tracting foreign capital into
Brazil, a model which is has
been developed in countries
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such as the United States and China.
This strategy necessitates that Brazils leaders dedicate themselves to providing for the ap-
propriate national policy environment conducive to supporting ST&I projects and attracting
foreign involvement. At a possibly global watershed moment, Brazil would be wise to draw
in foreign capital to its markets, to be invested in domestic research and innovation projects.
The Minister seems to believe that a technological revolution is taking place: economic devel-
opment, not to mention the creation of innovative processes, nowadays almost unanimously
occur through scientifc development. Notwithstanding, according to the new Minister, so-
cial and human objectives should also be more carefully taken into account in this evolution.
Source: CNPq
Brazil combats dengue with genetically
modifed mosquitoes
Genetically modifed in a laboratory with a gene that would render them dependent on the
antibiotic tetracycline for survival, the newly bred Aedes aegypti mosquitoes may be Brazils
answer to the dengue epidemic. These transgenic male mosquitoes, unable to bite and thus
unable to spread the dengue virus, are to be released into nature in quantities twice that of
non-transgenic mosquitoes in order to reproduce with the savage, non-GMO females. The
result: an ofspring dependent on antibiotics with a very small chance at survival, and thus, a
reduced instance of both mosquitoes and the dengue virus.
According to the Pan American Health Organization, last year Brazil reported 1.4 million cases
of dengue, constituting an epidemic. The virus often leads to fever, vomiting, and sometimes
life-threatening hemorrhaging, and there currently exists no treatment, nor vaccine. Today
the only existing methods for protection against the virus are environmental protection
(eliminating stagnant waters) and the spraying of pesticides, which present a risk to human
health as well as by developing resistance.
The Brazilian National Technical Commission for Biosecurity (CTNBio) approved the plan in
April 2014 by a vote of sixteen to one. The mosquitoes, developed by the British biotech frm
Oxitec, are the worlds frst genetically modifed animal or insect to be released into the wild.
The president of Moscamed, a Brazilian company thats raising and testing the GM mosquitoes
in Jacobina (Bahia state), was quoted as saying, We need to provide alternatives because the
system we have now in Brazil doesnt work.
We have thousands and thousands of cases of dengue and
that costs a lot for the country. People are unable to work.
Sources: Le Monde, Mercopress, Portal Brasil
Photo IRD Jacquet, Maxime
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News from Europe //
Gender Summit
4 Europe 2014
The overarching theme of the Gender Summit for Europe (GS4EU) will be Quality Research and
Innovation through Equality and will focus on Horizon 2020. The summit will bring together
experts from research, policy and industry to discuss the possibility of strengthening the impact
of research and innovation with an increased consideration for gender.
The GS4EUs Themes and Tracks will evolve around the efective inclusion of gender within
diferent calls, either in actions that could improve gender equality, or in the content of research
itself. The theme of the frst day is the Strategic and Cross-cutting Priorities, while the second
day focuses on Expanding Understanding of the Sex and Gender Dimension.
This year, the event will be held at the European Parliament in Brussels on
Monday 30 June - Tuesday 01 July.
The 4th Gender Summit is focused on Horizon 2020. Theres a
lot of money at stake in Horizon 2020 and the new rules ensure
that women are at the centre of the decisions on how it should
be spent and at the heart of the research and innovation that is
funded.
Horizon 2020 provides a clear incentive to applicants to ensure
a better gender balance in their research teams. If two proposals
receive exactly the same scores on all other evaluation criteria,
the gender balance will be one of the factors in deciding which
proposal is ranked higher. Horizon 2020 also promotes the gender dimension in research and
innovation content to ensure that it takes into account the needs, behaviours and attitudes of
both women and men.
This is the way to excellence, jobs and growth. In Horizon 2020, the gender dimension is explicitly
integrated from the outset in many of the specifc programmes in more than 100 topics so far
out of 610 in total, spread across 13 diferent programmes. This gives us a promising idea of the
number of projects that will develop a gender dimension and of the new knowledge that they
will produce.
I hope that those attending the Gender Summit and the science community will respond to these
opportunities to create better research and more sustainable technological innovations.
- Mi r e Geoghegan- Qui nn, Commi s s i oner wi t h r es pons i bi l i t y f or r esear c h, i nnovat i on
and sc i enc e, Eur opean Commi s s i on
For more information, visit:
http://gender-summit.com
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2015 Ofcially Designated
European Year of Development
After being adopted by the Commission, the Council, and the European Parliament, the EUs
proposal for designating 2015 as the European Year of Development was fnally approved by
the Foreign Afairs Council on 14 April, 2014. The motto for the year will be Our world, our
dignity, our future, symbolizing what will be a pivotal stage for development and an unique
opportunity for the EUs external action: 2015 is also the last year for achieving the UNs
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and will be the year in which their replacements, the
Post-2015 agenda, will be decided upon and put into place.
Additionally, this date marks four years since the adoption of the Agenda for Change, the
ECs blueprint for refocusing developmental aid and more precisely targeting strategies for
poverty reduction. Thus, 2015 will be an opportune time for donors and stakeholders to
discuss the achievements of action so far in addition to what remains to be done in regards
to European development policy.
Development Commissioner Andris Piebalgs was quoted as stating that the European Year will
grant, an unparalleled opportunity for us to engage with EU citizens, to showcase our strong
commitment to eradicating poverty worldwide and to inform them how every euro of support
helps to make a diference in the lives of so many, in some of the worlds poorest countries. The EC
Member went on to note that the European Year would be a major event and a key opportunity
to raise awareness amongst European citizens about EU development cooperation and about
the benefts ultimately brought about in the world as a result of their tax contributions.
Source: Andris Piebalgs EC
European Women Researchers Day
The European Women Researchers Day is an annual event taking place simultaneously in
several research and higher education institutions across Europe. The event is planned to
support women in science and promote gender equality as a contributor to scientifc excellence.
Celebrated for the frst time March 28
th
of this year, the European Women Researchers Day
is supported by the EUs FP7, reafrming the engagement of the EU in acknowledging the
importance of improving gender equality between men and women in research and academia.
It is part of the European project INTEGER which is coordinated by the Mission for the Position
of Women at the French National Center for Scientifc Research (CNRS).
This years events were organized at the CNRS and the University of Alexandru Ioan Cuza (Iasi,
Romania). Organized events and seminars provided information and perspectives on career
development and allowed for the sharing of experiences of other female researchers. At the
CNRS, for instance, events included practical workshops on obtaining individual or group
funding, as well as on recruiting, encouraging networking and exchange between participants.
Source: Womens Researcher Day
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News on Cooperation //
E U - B r a z i l C o o p e r a t i o n
EU-Brazil Summit announces measures in
Science, Technology, and Innovation
Leaders of Brazil and the European Union met in Brussels on the 24
th
of February to discuss the ways
in which their strategic partnership could be best developed in key areas that are of vital interest to
both areas populations. Concluding the EU-Brazil Summit, a Joint Statement was issued, reafrming
the close alliance and asserting [a]s we both face global challenges, our partnership represents a
valuable opportunity for greater prosperity and security to our 700 million citizens.
In the Joint Statement, cooperation on research and innovation was proposed as a means
of strengthening competitiveness, creating jobs, and addressing global challenges in areas
such as sustainable development, climate change, environment, energy, human rights, and
international cyber policy.
Likewise, the statement emphasizes the importance of cooperation in education for science
and technology. Specifcally, a discussion was held on the possibility of Brazilian scientists
participating in EU projects through the Cincia Sem Fronteiras (Science without Borders)
program. Eurochambres, Businesseurope, and the Brazilian National Confederation of Industry
(CNI) have begun encouraging European companies and Brazilian subsidiaries in Europe to
open their doors to the programs participants. Correspondingly, Brazil continues to invite
European students and researchers into Cincia Sem Fronteiras within their own borders,
particularly as Young Talents and Special Guest Researchers.
Furthermore, the Joint Statement welcomed progress made during the most recent Joint
Steering Meeting (Brussels, June 26 and 27, 2013), which was in part tasked with drawing
up the areas of research cooperation
that represent the most economically
and socially priority domains to be
leveraged through strategic cooperation.
These key fields include marine sciences,
food security, nutrition, sustainable
agriculture and bio-economy, energy,
nanotechnologies, and information and
communication technologies (ICT).
In the feld of ICT, the authorities an-
nounced their
intention at
the Sum-
mit to in-
vite Euro-
pean start-
Credit European Union, 2014
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ups to participate in calls of the Start-Up Brazil program and to encourage cooperation in the
European equivalent. In addition, support was vowed for the development of projects within
the Inova Empresa Plan, a federal investment program guaranteeing 13.5 million real towards
Brazilian businesses or research centers engaged in technological innovation.
A third coordinated call under Horizon 2020 for research and innovation in the ICT feld is foreseen
for 2015 and will have an emphasis on developing advanced cyber infrastructure. According to
assessments on the former two coordinated calls that were in part supported by the Brazilian
National Council for Scientifc and Technological Development (CNPq), cooperation has
provided thus far for a notable social and industrial impact.
As for ICT infrastructure, enlarged policy cooperation in cloud computing was welcomed and a
plan to install a trans-Atlantic submarine communication cable was agreed upon.
The statement was signed by the Ministers of Foreign Afairs, Luiz Alberto Figueiredo, and
Development, Industry, and Foreign Trade, Mauro Borges, the President of the National
Confederation of Industry, Robson Braga de Andrade, and representatives of the European
Commission, the Eurochambres, and Businesseurope.
Sources: EURAXESS, Joint Statement
EU-Brazil relations strengthened with the
creation of a Delegation of the European
Parliament for Relations with Brazil
For the last several years, the importance of Brazil as a
political partner for the European Union has grown steadily.
A recent testimony to this increasingly close relation is the
opening of a Delegation for the Relation with Brazil by the
European Parliament on March 12
th
of this year.
Previously, Mexico and Chile were the only two nations with individual EP delegations, the rest
of the Latin American countries being treated by blocs. At the same time the Delegation for
Relations with Mercosur Countries (DMER) was replaced by the Delegation for Relations with
Mercosur. This step marks a highly strategic move in terms of dealing more directly with the
political Brazilian partners.
According to the President of EUBrasil (a non-proft association made up of parliamentarians,
and elected ofcials, European and Brazilian businesses, and experts and academics), Luigi
Gambardella, this change brings about a diferent kind of relation with Brazil which will henceforth
be carried out bilaterally. This can be considered indicative of the heightened importance of Brazil
as a European-level partner. In light of the new European elections and of the frst plenary of the
8th legislature, the delegation is scheduled to be operative in October.
Sources: EUBrasil, European Parliament
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Strategic Forum for International Science
& Technology Cooperation (SFIC) meets in
Brussels
Representatives from twenty-one countries and the European Commission were present at the
plenary session of the Strategic Forum for International Science and Technology Cooperation
(SFIC), the 5
th
of February, 2014 in Brussels. Created following the Council Conclusions of
December 2
nd
, 2008, the objective of this forum is to facilitate the implementation of a European
strategy for international cooperation in research.
On the meetings agenda notably fgured geographic initiatives currently brought up by the
Member States and the Commission in Brazil, China, and the United States. Two thematic
initiatives were also discussed concerning:
shared principals for cooperation in research (concerns for intellectual property, research
careers, ethics, gender and diversity, etc.);
and the consideration of international cooperation in the defnition of monitoring
indicators in the European Research Zone.
The European Commission presented several preparatory elements on the subject of the
pluriannual roadmaps that in the future will be responsible for structuring international
cooperation in research and innovation and will be enacted in Horizon 2020. Once fxed, these
roadmaps should be published in the report on strategic framework for international cooperation
in July 2014.
The next plenary SFIC meeting will take place on May 19
th
, 2014 in Brussels.
Sources: Council of the EU
Semana da Europa kicks of in Brazil!
European Week or the Semana da Europa, which
in fact takes place over twenty-six days (April 30
th

May 25
th
), has been celebrated in Brazil since
2005. Each year European Week culminates in
the Day of Europe, commemorated on May 9th.
The signifcance of this day is to celebrate peace and unity on the European continent, as it
marks the anniversary of the presentation of the Schuman Declaration in Paris in 1950. Being
of paramount importance, the Schuman Doctrine promoted the idea of political cooperation
between European states so as to avoid the outbreak of another war, and is often considered
the beginning of what is known today as the European Union.
During this week, a great variety of activities are organized, covering culture, cuisine and
sports. In consideration of the impact that the World Cup is having on Brazilian society this
year, the main themes of the event will be sports and culture.
Activities will take place in Brasilia, Rio de Janeiro and Curitiba and are organized
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by EUNIC Brasil (European Union National Institutes for Culture and Embassies of Member States
to Brazil) and the Delegation of the EU to Brazil. The activities of EUNIC Brasil, including the
European Week, are organized in cooperation with several Brazilian institutions and are aimed at
strengthening cultural exchanges between the EU and Brazil.
Learn more!
EURAXESS Links Brazil
Euraxess Newsletter
EURAXESS Links Brazil Newsletter is a monthly electronic newsletter, edited by EURAXESS Links
Brazil, which provides information of specifc interest to European researchers in Brazil and
Brazilian researchers who are interested in the European research landscape and in conducting
research in Europe or with European partners.
It features the latest developments in research and innovation in Brazil and Europe, as well
as on cooperation between both. It also brings a selection of job vacancies and Grants & Fel-
lowships funded by the European Commission, EU Member States or Brazilian authorities. A list
of scientifc events is also published monthly.
To receive the newletter automatically every month, click here. To read past editions, see the
dedicated section on the EURAXESS Links Brazil website.
EURAXESS Jobs
EURAXESS Jobs is a free recruitment tool open to researchers and their employers from all
over the world.
Researchers can fnd a wealth of constantly updated information on job vacancies, funding op-
portunities and fellowships throughout Europe. Posting their CV will allow recruiters to fnd them.
Companies or research institutes or universities can post vacancies free of charge and search
for the CVs of international top-notch researchers.
More here.
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Bi - R e gi ona l Coope r a t i on
The 4
th
Senior Ofcials Meeting: Cooperation
between the EU and the Community of Latin
American & Caribbean States
The meeting of European and Latin American senior ofcials tasked with research and
innovation (IV Senior Ofcials Meeting SOM) took place in San Jos, Costa Rica the 3
rd
and
4
th
of April 2014 with the participation of 70 representatives from 19 CELAC countries and
8 countries from the European Union. Co-directed by the Ministry of Science, Technology,
and Telecommunications of Costa Rica (MICIT) and the European Commission, these regular
meetings allow the consolidation of bi-regional dialogue for cooperating in research and
innovation through the support and the implementation of the Joint Initiative for Research
and Innovation (JIRI).
From this perspective, fve thematic groups are included in the framework of the ALCUE NET
project, covering the following fve wide social challenges: bioeconomy, biodiversity and climate
change, renewable energy, information technology and communication, and health. The results
from the thematic workshops were presented to the Senior Ofcals in order to be considered
in the defning of the bi-regional cooperation.
Thus, the ERANet-LAC project is currently organizing joint calls,
the frst of which will be launched in October 2014 and will be
based upon the thematic groups work. The interested agencies
of research and innovation will be invited to participate in a
workshop June 5
th
and 6
th
in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain,
in order to discuss the priority themes identifed in the fve
overarching themes and to indicate their engagement in their
choice themes.
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Agreement between CNPq and the British
Council broadens scientifc cooperation
The president of CNPq, Glaucius Oliva, and the Global Director for Society
and Education of the British Council, Jo Beall, signed on April 30
th
in Miami
an agreement for the development of the Researcher Links program whose
EU Member State - Brazil Cooperation
The UK launches Newton Fund for research in
Brazil and other emerging countries
In accordance with the UKs strategy of cooperation in the scientifc and innovation felds,
the Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne, during his recent visit to Brazil, launched a
375 million fund at the University of So Paolo. The creation of this fund can be considered an
acknowledgement of the strategic importance that the UK gives to international collaboration,
and more specifcally, to engaging with emerging countries such as Brazil, a country that has in
recent years increased its investment in scientifc research.
The Newton Fund will support research collaborations, researcher and student mobility, as
well as the creation of links between scientifc institutions, developing innovation partnerships
and support for innovation capacity building.The frst confrmed partnership will be with the
Conselho Nacional das Fundaes Estaduais de Amparo Pesquisa (CONFAP) and Fundaes
de Apoio Pesquisa (FAPs) from diferent Brazilian states. Partnerships between the UK and
institutions connected to CONFAP proved fruitful during the last term, leading to the signature
of a previous agreement in 2013 between Brazil and the UK. Former activities included capacity
building for researchers and English teachers, academic mobility, and integration of research
results in industrial activities.
Sergio Gargioni, the president of CONFAP, stated the following regarding the newly-signed
agreement: This agreement shows the importance of CONFAP as a coordinator of the activities
of FAP in Brazil, as well as their relevancy, both regarding the volume of resources they apply to
research, and their agility and efciency in budget execution. (..) We hope that several important
projects will be born from this cooperation with the UK. During the meetings of the National
Forum of CONFAP, Gargioni also underlined the fact that Brazil has begun to be considered an
important ally in science and technology for the rest of the world, and therefore it will contiue
to be considered for future partnerships with Europe, as well as Latin American countries.
Science and innovation are deemed to be a key part of economic
development, since they can considerably contribute to the discovery of
new solutions in order to tackle poverty and foster sustainable development.
Hence, the agreement will support bilateral collaboration in areas such as
food security, future cities, bio-economy and neglected diseases. Furthermore,
in consideration of the fact that the program was named after the renowned
British scientist Isaac Newton, the correspondent programs in the partner
countries will be named after a renowned scientist or statesman/woman
from that country.
Sources: British Embassy to Brazil, Fapema Brazil
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Brazilian-German Symposium on
Renewable Energies to be held
An event of high technical and managerial signifcance between Germany and Brazil is
scheduled for May 19
th
and 20
th
in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte (Brazil). The event in question is
a symposium on solar energy and photovoltaic systems: technology, opportunities, barriers to
overcome, facilitators and best practices.
Why Brazil and Germany? Both countries stand out in the area of renewable energies and thrive in
resources as well as the will to invest, rendering exchanges of technology and direct investment
in new projects a mutual benefcial opportunity to be signifcantly
explored upon further.
The discussions between researchers, managers, investors and
producers of solar parks will evolve around the technological
development and extensive use of photovoltaic systems in Germany
and possibly knowledge and technology transfers to Brazil. The
event will also provide an opportunity for discussing the Brazilian
environment (with a focus on the north-east) with a view to
identifying opportunities and ideas that can be useful for actors in
the government, academia and industry. Furthermore, the results
of former projects in cooperation between Brazil and the EU will be
presented and ideas for new projects in cooperation between the two
countries will be proposed.
Sources: Diplomatic Representative of Germany to Brazil, BAER
objective is to organize research workshops and meetings between young British and Brazilian
researchers. The agreement was signed during the international conference Going Global,
an annual forum organized by the British Council where leaders gather for discussion the
internationalization of education. Thousands of delegates from 70 diferent countries, amongst
them 45 Brazilians, participated to the conference.
The program is developed in cooperation with FAPESP, (Fundao de Amparo Pesquisa do
Estado de So Paulo) in as much as researchers from So Paolo are concerned. As Claudio Anjos,
Director Education and Exams of British Council stated, Last year Brazil was the country with
the highest number of proposals. Fifty-eight works have been received, from which seven were
selected in order to receive support. The agreement with CNPq will expand the area of the
program to the entire Brazilian territory.
Source: MCTI
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Featured Programs //
The Ofcial Guide for Funding of Applicants from non-EU countries and International
Organizations under Horizon 2020 has been published in the section International
Cooperation of the H2020 online manual. The guide summarizes:
The general features of international cooperation through Horizon 2020;
The list of countries automatically eligible for funding.
For all other countries, the document details the conditions that potential partners must
complete in order to beneft from European fnancing.
>> Guide for Funding of Applicants from non-EU countries
and International Organizations <<
Horizon 2020 Calls for the 2014-2015 published
by the European Commission
The European Commission has recently published calls for proposals for the 2014-2015 period of Horizon
2020, the European Unions new framework program for research and innovation. The entirety of these
programs may be found on the ECs Participant portal.
All of these calls are open to participants from non-European
countries. But Brazilian applicants are not automatically
eligible for Horizon 2020, however funding may be granted if:
1. Funding is provided for in a bilateral scienctifc/
technological agreement or similar arrangement between
the EU and the country where the applicant is based.
2. Their participation is deemed essential for carrying out
the action by the Commission or the relevant funding
body because it provides:
Outstanding competence/expertise
Access to research infrastructure
Access to particular geographic environments
Access to data
3. The call for proposals clearly states that applicants based
in Brazil are eligible for funding.
(Source: European Commission)
Current Horzon 2020 proposals specifcally
open to Brazilian applicants:
European polar research cooperation (Blue Growth:
Unlocking the potential of Seas and Oceans)
Partnering with Brazil on advanced biofuels (Call for
Competitive Low-Carbon Energy)
Enhancing and focusing research and innovation
cooperation with the Unions key international par-
tner countries - proposals targeting Australia, USA,
Brazil, South Africa, Ukraine (Europe as a global actor)
>>For more information on the Horizon 2020 framework, visit
the Horizon 2020 section of our website.
>>Additionally, the European Commission has created a
LinkedIn page to facilitate the search for partners for multi-
actor projects and thematic networks.
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Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa
e Inovao Industrial -
Call for Participants
EMBRAPII (Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa e Inovao Industrial), as part of the Brazilian Institute
of Technological Research (IPT) will support to cooperation projects between businesses
and national research and development institutions with the aim of generating innovative
products and projects. EMRAPII supports Brazilian institutions that are or are seeking to be in
partnership with innovation institutions from European countries.
A call has been published regarding the public selection process for the accreditation of EMBRAPII
units. These units may receive fnancial resources for planning and executing innovation projects
in collaboration with private frms. A maximum of ten public or private institutions of scientifc
and technological research will be chosen to constitute units of EMBRAPII.
All Brazilian scientifc and technological research institutions which develop
Universal Call MCTI/CNPq
Call for Projects 2014
The Brazilian Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MCTI) and the National Council
for Science and Technological Development (CNPq) has issued the Universal Call for 2014
valuing $200 million real.
The objective is to support research projects that contribute signifcantly to the scientifc and
technological development of the country in any feld of knowledge. Of the total 200 million
USD contribution, 75% is from the National Fund for Scientifc and Technological Development
(FNDCT) and the remaining 25% from CNPq. The Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation,
Cllio Campolina Diniz, is mainly responsible for expanding this investment envelope.
The additional funding added to this years call with be allocated mostly to young researchers.
Additionally, a minimum of 30% of funds will be allocated to projects coordinated by researchers
afliated with institutions located in the North, Northeast, and Midwest regions, including the
areas covered by the Regional Development Agencies.
Although not specifcally defned in the calls regulations, in the past, this call has been open
to international cooperation including with European partners.
Projects must be registered on the CNPq website, by the Carlos Chagas Platform by June 16
th.
Read more.
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Brazil and France
CAPES-COFECUB and USP-COFECUB
Partnership Research and Exchange Programs
The COFECUB (French Committee for the Evaluation of Academic and Scientifc Cooperation
with Brazil) was launched in 1979 and has worked in cooperation with two Brazilian institutions:
the CAPES (Coordenao de Aperfeioamento do Pessoal de Nvel Superior, the Federal Agency
of Support and Evaluation of Postgraduate Education) and the USP (Universidade de So Paulo).
The COFECLUB organization is currently ofering research and exchange programs open for 2015:
- The CAPES-COFECUB inter-university agreement co-fnances high-level exchanges of
researchers and scholars and ofers full fnancing to Brazilian doctoral students.
- The USP-COFECUB is fnanced by the University of So Paulo and supports collaborative
research project between Brazilian and French researchers.
Visit the Campus France COFECUB homepage or the CAPES page (in Portuguese).
innovation projects in collaboration with industrial enterprises and which comply with the norms
and the criteria defned in the Manual de Operao das Unidades EMBRAPII may apply.
Letters expressing interest will be accepted until the 15th of May, whereas the proposal for
accreditation must be sent before the 2nd of June.
For more information, visit http://www.embrapii.org.br
Chile Call for Proposals in
Support of International Networking
between Research Centers
The Comisin Nacional de Investigacin Cientfca y Tecnolgica (CONICYT) is ofering
fnancing and support for activities promoting international networking between Chilean
national science and technology centers and those based in certain countries in North
and South America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania. Supported networking modalities include
short-length training internships abroad, research visits to Chile, Research visits abroad,
Organization of bilateral workshops or seminars in Chile, and Access to scientifc and
technological equipment.
Applications will be excepted until
May 29
th
, 2014.
For program requirements and more information, please visit www.conicyt.cl
or view the PDF.
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Para Mulheres na Cincia
Since 2006, the partnership between LOral, UNESCO, and Brazilian Academy
of the Sciences (Academia Brasileira de Cincias) da vida program for Women in
Science has been encouraging and supporting Brazilian women researchers for
their contributions to the advancement of science and for outstanding benefts to
society. Each year, the program recognizes the achievements of up to seven Brazilian
women in national institutions by means of research aid worth 20000 USD.
The scientifc areas which are taken into consideration by this scholarship include
Physical Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Biological and Health Sciences, Mathematics,
and Chemistry. The program supports high-value scientifc projects which are to be
conducted during twelve months by Brazilian researchers in national institutions.
The participants should have fnished their PhDs by 2008 and should be intent on
carrying out scientifc work in Brazilian institutions relevant to the project they have
submitted.
The submission period for the project is March 24
th
May 30
th
.
For more information about submitting a project or to view previous winners, visit the
website http://loreal.abc.org.br
Irne Joliot-Curie Prize for Female Scientists in
France
The French Ministry of Research in accordance with the Foundation Airbus Group, has opened
the 13
th
edition of the Irne Joliot-Curie Prize for the promotion of women in research and
technology in France. The award is open to women of all nationalities who have resided and
been involved in research or technology in France for at least 3 years.
The award is comprised of three categories:
1. The category Female Scientist of the Year rewards a woman that has brought
a remarkable contribution to her public research domain through the reach and
signifcance of her work, and her recognition in her scientifc feld at the national as
well as international scale. (Endowment of 40,000)
2. The category Young Female Scientist showcases a young woman who has
distinguished herself as a talented specialist in her feld through her exemplary
background and work. (Endowment of 15,000)
3. The category Woman in Business Track awards a woman who has cultivated her
scientifc and technical excellence through a research and development post in a
business, or who has created an innovative company, notably by employing previous
research results. (Endowment of 15,000)
The closing date for application is June 11
th
, 2014 at midnight.
For more information or to apply click here.
27 http://b-bice-plus.eu
FAPEMIG International Lecture Series 2014 -
So Pedro Event
May 16, 2014
9h - 16h
Horizon 2020 Europes News Program for Research and Innovation
Guillaume Ernst Coordinator in Brazil of B.BICE+ Projet
Charlotte Grawitz National Representative of EURAXESS Links Brazil
Location: Auditrio Carlos Ribeiro Diniz
Fapemig - Fundao de Amparo Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais
Address: Rua Raul Pompia, 101 12
o
andar, So Pedro, Belo Horizonte MG
Information and confrmation available via email: faviacerqueira@fapemig.br
8
th
FORTEC Event on Evolving from
Intellectual Property Management to Strategic
Business Units
So Paulo Rebouas Convention Center
May 18
th
to May 21
st
, 2014
Supporting the Development of Creativity, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship at Technology
Transfer Ofces (TTOs) of Brazilian R&D Institutes
Brazil has in recent years organized their innovation chain to prioritize actions for transformation
of scientifc and technological knowledge into innovations that can beneft the country, both
economically and socially. However, building an environment that contributes to the national
innovation strategy has been one of the main challenges faced by multiple actors and has
required a huge team efort, which involves a chain of industries ranging from gyms to markets.
Each year, FORTECs National Meeting takes place, which aims to consolidate the actions to
promote technological innovation in the country and raise the level of competence of their
agents.
Among the benefts of these events, we can highlight the intense exchange of knowledge and
experiences among managers, training, formulation of proposals that maximize actions, in
addition to legitimate and represent the interests of the institutions involved.
Read more
Featured Events //
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Cloudscape Brazil Conference
October 20 to 21
st
, 2014
Guaruj SP, Brazil
This workshop aims at fostering the collaboration between European and Brazilian institutions
to advance on the provisioning and usage of cloud resources and infrastructures to support
scientifc activities in both academy and industry. The workshop will aim for scientifc success
stories, use cases, innovative business models, federation schemas, etc. with joint interest for
Brazilian and European centres.
The deadline for submitting a paper for Cloudscape Brazil is June 16, 2014.
Read more
For questions or comments, contact B.BICE+ at
bbiceplus@ird.fr
Subscribe to the Newsletter on the homepage of our
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from the B.BICE+ team.