In this issue

Open Calls
FP6 Policy-oriented research: Call on Avian Influenza and Public Health Issues open till March 22, 2006

EuroTrans-Bio: Trans-national Call in Biotechnology open for SMEs in Austria, Finland, France, Germany and Spain till February 28, 2006

News
SMEs go LifeSciences: FP7 orientation and work plan for 2006

Authorisation of medicines: Commission makes life easier for SMEs developing new and innovative therapeutics

Updated Technology Platforms service on CORDIS

Events
Training courses: RTD project management, FP7 and CIP- Paris, January 31 - February 2, 2006

Workshops: Web tools for EU research projects - Cambridge, February 2, 2006 and Explaining FP7 - Cambridge, February 28, 2006

Training courses: FP7 and European Funding for Innovation and Competitiveness - Brussels, February 21-22, 2006

1st Amsterdam Diabetes Forum Amsterdam, March 30 - April 1, 2006

Project coordinator is
FFG-Austrian Research Promotion Agency
European and International Programmes (EIP)

The SMEs go LifeSciences project is
co-funded by the European Commission

www.smesgolifesciences.org

OPEN CALLS

FP6 Policy-oriented research: Call on Avian Influenza and Public Health Issues open till March 22, 2006
On December 22, 2005 a Call on several Public Health Issues (FP6-2005-SSP-5A) and on Avian Influenza (FP6-2005-SSP-5-B-INFLUENZA) has been opened within the framework of Policy-oriented research in FP6, with deadline being March 22, 2006. Several tasks are open in the areas of "Health Care Services and Pension Systems", "Public Health Issues", "Quality of life issues relating to handicapped / disabled people" and "Research in Avian Influenza".
Click here for more details on this open Call >

EuroTrans-Bio: Trans-national Call in Biotechnology open for SMEs in Austria, Finland, France, Germany and Spain till February 28, 2006
EUROTRANS-BIO, an ERA-NET initiative opened a trans-national call for proposals on January 2, 2006. Biotech SMEs from Austria, Finland, France, Germany and Spain (Basque Country) are invited to submit innovative research (industrial R&D, applied research) proposals.
Click here for more details on this open Call >

NEWS

SMEs go LifeSciences: FP7 orientation and work plan for 2006

After the closure of the last FP6 Call in TP1 on November 9, 2005 and the running preparations for the 7th Framework Programme (FP7), the initiative SMEs go LifeSciences has reoriented its tasks and activities towards FP7. The initiative will not only focus on close cooperation with the Technology Platform "Innovation Medicines Initiative" (IMI) but, among others, support SMEs and researchers by identifying running research projects seeking for further project partners. National experts in 26 countries will offer hands-on information and advice regarding FP7.

Read more about the initiative's work plan for 2006 here.

Authorisation of medicines: Commission makes life easier for SMEs developing new and innovative therapeutics
In order to encourage Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) to submit applications to the European Medicines Agency (EMEA), the European Commission has adopted significant fee reductions and deferrals. This new regulation, detailing SME specific provisions for companies developing medicinal products for human or veterinary use, has been adopted by the European Commission on December 15, 2005, including reduction of fees, deferral of payment of fees, taking over the responsibility for translations and offering administrative assistance. As support to these new provisions, a special SME office will be installed at the EMEA, providing a 'one-stop shop' for SMEs.
Read more here >

Updated Technology Platforms service on CORDIS
CORDIS, the EU's official information service on research and innovation, has revised its information service about the Technology Platforms, summarising the emerging initiatives in areas such as hydrogen and fuel cells, nano-electronics, water supply and sanitation, plant genomics and biotechnology, mobile and wireless communications, innovative medicines, aeronautics, embedded systems and steel. Increased focus is given on new developments and policy information, balanced by important information on the individual platforms, which continues to be provided in a coherent and easily accessible manner.
For further information, click here to consult the CORDIS Technology Platforms service >

EVENTS

Training courses: RTD project management, FP7 and CIP- Paris, January
31 - February 2, 2006
Between January 31 and February 2, 2006 "Interface Europe" is organising complementary courses on RTD project management, the 7th Framework Programme (FP7) and the Competitiveness and Innovation Programme in Paris, France Click here for more info >.

Workshops: Web tools for EU research projects - Cambridge, February 2, 2006 and Explaining FP7 - Cambridge, February 28, 2006
Workshops organised by “Singleimage” in Cambridge, UK, provide quick and hands-on information about many aspects of the EU Research Programmes. Each workshop consists of lectures, practical exercises and feedback sessions, and provides lots of opportunities for questions and discussion.

A workshop on “Web tools for EU research projects” is taking place on
February 7, 2006.

A workshop on “Explaining the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7)” will be organised on February 28, 2006.

Training courses: FP7 and European Funding for Innovation and Competitiveness - Brussels, February 21-22, 2006
Two training courses on FP7 and European Funding opportunities will be organised by “Interface Europe” in Brussels on February 21-22, 2006. The first Course on "The Seventh Framework Programme: how to anticipate your participation?" is going to take place on February 21, 2006. This course will focus on the presentation of the new priorities and orientations of FP7. Course 2 "European Funding for Innovation and Competitiveness" will provide an overview of all funding opportunities available for SMEs and innovating enterprises on February 22, 2006
Click here for more info >.

1st Amsterdam Diabetes Forum - Amsterdam, March 30 - April 1, 2006
The First Amsterdam Diabetes Forum will take place between March 30 and April 1, 2006. The scientific programme contains Satellite Symposia on the first day, two sessions on "Pathophysiology" and "Incretins as therapeutic target in diabetes" on the second day and lectures and presentations of relevant papers on the last day.

For more information on the programme and the registration, click here.

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