EC-Canada Scientific and Technological Cooperation Agreement

Road Map Document

July 2009

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction......................................................................................................................... 3 Research Infrastructures...................................................................................................... 5 Mobility / exchange of researchers ..................................................................................... 7 Frontier Research .............................................................................................................. 10 Energy ............................................................................................................................... 13 Environment (including climate change).......................................................................... 15 Space ................................................................................................................................. 16 Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, and Biotechnology ....................................................... 18 Nanosciences, Nanotechnologies, Materials and New Production Technologies ............ 22 Health................................................................................................................................ 24 Information and Communication Technologies ............................................................... 27 Socio-economic Sciences and Humanities ....................................................................... 29 Science in Society (Governance and Ethics) .................................................................... 30 Transport (including Aeronautics).................................................................................... 31

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Introduction

An Agreement for Scientific and Technological Cooperation between Canada and the European Community exists since 1996. While it does not include provisions regarding the funding of joint research activities, S&T cooperation has developed very positively, in particular in ICT and Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, and Biotechnology (FAB). The latter has even grown to become a best practice for international cooperation, with the development of a very successful project-twinning mechanism which is spreading to other geographical areas (e.g. Argentina) and to other research themes (e.g. energy). Following the 2007 EU-Canada Summit and the establishment of High Level Dialogues on Energy and on Environment, there have been efforts to increase S&T cooperation in these two areas.

S&T cooperation in the field of energy

An exchange of views on S&T collaboration in the field of energy was initiated in May 2008 in view of delivering on the 2007 Summit commitments and feeding into the Canada-EU High Level Dialogue on Energy. The following common priority areas were identified for the short/medium term: Clean Coal and Carbon Capture and Storage; Bio-energy (including bio-fuels and biomass); and Distributed generation and smart electricity networks.

Concretely, the first steps are to explore the prospect for twinning some of the ongoing EC and Canadian projects where there is similarity of purpose and complementarity (approach already used in the area of agriculture and biotech research), and to identify/advertise the opportunities offered in FP7 W/P for Canadian entities to participate in European research projects in the three identified common priorities.

S&T cooperation in the field of environment

Following dialogues at the level of the S&T Agreement as well as in the EC-Canada High Level Dialogue on the Environment a growing mutual interest and opportunities are developing for research cooperation in areas such as: climate change including polar research, marine ecosystems, and environmental technologies as well as on natural catastrophes – wildfires and earthquakes. Environment Canada has launched the Environment Canada's Scientific Plan with areas close to FP7. In the area of environmental technology verification, in particular, an international working group has been established with the EC, the US Environmental Protection Agency and the Environment Canada as founding members to exchange information and knowledge on environmental performance verification of technologies.

S&T cooperation in the field of food, agriculture and fisheries and biotechnology

Intensive co-operation is on-going between the EC RTD-E Directorate for Biotechnology, Agriculture and Food and Agriculture and Agri-food Canada (AAFC). Since 2007, RTD-E and AAFC have launched a new initiative to 'twin' complementary European (funded via the 7th Framework Programme) and Canadian projects (funded via the Agricultural Bioproducts Innovation Programme) in the field of agricultural bio-products (see CORDIS news on. Most recently, the

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projects-twinning initiative has been extended to the area of Food research, following the first "Europe-Canada Food Health & Wellness Twinning Workshop" which took place in Brussels October 14, 2008.

The Joint Science and Technology Cooperation Committee meets on a regular basis to review progress and provide new directions for the implementation of the S&T cooperation agreement.

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Research Infrastructures There is no formal participation to EC activities in the field of existing research infrastructures, however Canada participates formally to the activities for future research infrastructures. As regards e-Infrastructure there are no projects with Canadian participation. (a) Recent achievements of cooperation (over last two years) Canada formally participates to the activities of the Preparatory Phase of the Square Kilometre Array project (PrepSKA) through the following two legal entities:

National Research Council (main Funding Agency, representing the Canadian Government) University of Calgary (contributing to technical activities).

Both participate to the PrepSKA activities without EC contribution as part of the global in-kind effort to the preparation activities of the project. The SKA is one of the 44 projects on the 2008 ESFRI Roadmap, and is one of a handful of truly global projects, where Australia/New Zealand, South Africa, Canada, USA and Europe are currently engaged in discussions on how to proceed. Additionally, China, Japan, South Korea, India and Chile are currently evaluating their participation to the project. At present two sites are candidate to host the SKA: Australia plus New Zealand and South Africa (plus other neighbouring countries including Namibia, Madagascar, Kenya, Mozambique). Further site qualification tests are currently underway under PrepSKA. A decision on the site is expected by 2012. Additionally, Canada participates to the NCP network EURORIS-NET with EC contribution of 5.350,00 €. (b) Ongoing and planned activities (in 2009/2010) During the second part of FP7, the Research Infrastructure action will continue to support existing RIs, as well as contribute in a catalytic way to the development of new RIs of pan-European/international relevance. Both types of action are fully open to participation of Canadian institutes and facilities, with or without EC funding.

For the next three calls, support to existing infrastructures will in particular take the form of targeted calls for areas of Science and Technology identified by independent experts as key for the continued structuring of the ERA and supported by the Member States.

Support to new research infrastructures will be given through both Design Studies (bottom-

up) and construction of new infrastructures. As for the ESFRI Roadmap, it will provide a catalytic and leveraging support for the construction of the new ten facilities added through its Update, published in December 2008.

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(c) Suggestions for new initiatives/activities

Existing infrastructures: we foresee to continue and develop the FP7 activities described above, welcoming participants from Canada to join research infrastructure projects whenever feasible.

New infrastructures: on the occasion of the Update of the European Roadmap for pan-

European infrastructures, published on 9 December 2008 during the ECRI Conference, we would welcome the possibility to explore new opportunities for collaboration with Canada in order to realise new research infrastructures of mutual interest.

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Mobility / exchange of researchers (a) Recent achievements of cooperation (FP6) Individual Fellowships Two specific Individual Marie Curie actions for international mobility namely, International Incoming Fellowships (IIF) and International Outgoing Fellowships (IOF), allow Third country researchers to come to Europe (IIF) and European researchers to go to a Third country (IOF). Under FP6, there were 34 successful Canadian researchers who have benefited of a Marie Curie Incoming Fellowship to come to Europe mainly in the areas of life science (17), environment (7), mathematics (4), physics (2), social science (2), chemistry (1), and engineering (1). As far as the Marie Curie Outgoing Fellowships are concerned, 26 European researchers carried out research activities in Canadian research organisations in life science (8), environment (8), engineering (4), social science (3), physics (2), and chemistry (1). Host Actions FP6 included Host driven actions for training of researchers, namely Research Training Networks (RTN), Excellence (EXT), Excellence Chairs (EXC), Early Stage Training Sites (EST) and Transfer of Knowledge (ToK). Under FP6 5 Canadian organisations participated in Host driven actions: 4 participated in Research Training Networks, 1 in Transfer of Knowledge. In total 80 researches from Canada were involved in funded proposals within the Marie Curie host driven schemes and 20 Canadian fellows participated in Marie Curie training events. In details, the 80 Canadian researchers were awarded a Marie Curie fellowship in several European countries, (Belgium, United Kingdom, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Poland, ect) respectively 28 within the Early Stage Training Sites (EST), 16 within the Excellence Grants, 27 within the Research Training Networks and 9 within the Transfer of Knowledge driven actions (ToK) In summary, so far, 134 Canadian researchers were successful in FP6 to participate in the Marie Curie schemes. (b) Ongoing or planned activities (FP7) Individual Fellowships Following the first 2 calls for proposals under FP7 within the IIF schemes, out of 52 Canadian researchers having submitted an IIF proposal, 24 ( 8 female and 16 male) have been funded to carry our research activities in life sciences (8), chemistry (6), environment (3), engineering (3), mathematics (1), physics (2), social sciences (1) in Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom. 93 IOF proposals were submitted by European researchers to carry out research activities in Canada, thus showing the strong interest of European researchers for Canadian research

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organisations. 18 researchers were funded (6 female and 12 male) in the following scientific areas: environment (6), life science (5), physics (4), social science (2), and mathematics (1). Next calls: Incoming International Fellowships (closing date: 18/8/2009) and Outgoing International Fellowships (closing date: 18/8/2009). Host Actions In the first 2 Industry -Academia Partnership and Pathways (IAPP) calls for proposals under FP7 2 proposals with 2 Canadian participants were evaluated, 1 proposal was rejected and 1 is currently under negotiation. In the first ITN call under FP7 8 proposals including 8 Canadian partners were evaluated in Stage 1, however 7 were rejected at the same stage. 1 proposal was funded. 6 proposals including 7 Canadian participants were evaluated but all of them were rejected. Data are not yet available for recruited researchers. However, as the experience of FP6 has demonstrated it is expected that quite a large number of researchers will have applied and be already directly recruited into the running ITN and IAPP (vacancies published at http://ec.europa.eu/euraxess/index_en.cfm) In terms of individual actions, from FP6 to the first calls of FP7 a substantial increase in the participation and success of Canadian researchers and organisations can be highlighted. If this trend is confirmed, it is reasonably expected that the Canadian participation will further increase in the future calls. Next call: Industry -Academia Partnership and Pathways: closing date 27/07/2009 Other host action: International Research Staff Exchange Scheme Within the new Marie Curie International Research Staff Exchange Scheme (IRSES) aiming at exchanging scientific, technical and managerial staff between European research organisations and Third countries organisations having with the EU an S&T Agreements (or being covered by the neighbourhood policy), following the first call which closed on 28 March 2008, 6 research organisations have participated in 6 different proposals and 6 have been retained for funding in mathematics (2), life science (2), social science (1), engineering (1). This represents respectively 108 researchers /month expected to be exchanged from Canada to Europe and 165 researchers /month expected to be exchanged from Europe to Canada. (c) Suggestions for new initiatives/activities

Continue to raise awareness of the possibilities offered to Canadian researchers and host organisations in the relevant Marie Curie actions; and promote the possibility for Canadians to participate within the International Individual schemes as well as in the Host driven actions: ITN,IAPP and particularly IRSES;

The ERA-Can web seminar on Opportunities for Canadian in European Mobility Programs

was organised with Canadian Scientific Communities on the 3rd of April 2008. On the base of the large consensus and interest received similar initiatives can be repeated in the future;

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Targeted publicity also among EU hosts and researchers in order to stimulate the interest and the knowledge of the possibilities offered;

Possible appointment of a dedicated Contact Point for the PEOPLE programme;

The possibility for the participation of Canadian researchers within the calls published under

the COFUND programmes should also be raised. The COFUND calls can be found at the following address: http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/people/cofund_en.html.

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Frontier Research

The mission of the ERC is to promote EU's excellence in research at the frontiers of knowledge, through competition at European level. The ERC supports "individual teams" led by a "Principal Investigator" (PI) with the following main characteristics with relevance to cooperation with Third Countries:

The PI can be of any nationality (e.g. Canadian), The involvement in the team of individuals from other legal entities (situated in the same or

in another country) than that of the principal investigator is possible, however, it has to be shown that this is based on the scientific value added provided to the project, in particular in the case where the legal entity involved is in a Third Country (e.g. Canada).

But the PI must be located in or moving to a host institution I an EU Member State or Associated country.

The FP7 "Ideas" Specific Programme is a completely investigator-driven programme where the PI has the freedom to choose the research topic and the power to assemble his/her research team meeting the needs of the project. The evaluation and selection of proposals is based on the sole criterion of excellence. The total budget of the ERC for the period 2007-2013 is 7.51 billion Euros. Overall context of cooperation The dynamic of innovation is changing. If Europe wants to be competitive in terms of innovative products, it needs to think beyond existing industries. Europe must support more frontier research and assure the framework conditions for the transformation of knowledge into innovation, one route being that talented researchers launch business start-ups. The ERC funding schemes are designed to promote research excellence in all fields of knowledge and scholarship, to enhance Europe's research performance and to develop an attractive research environment. The ERC schemes are thus open to researchers of any nationality who would like to set up their research activity in a host institution in the EU or EU associated country. The Scientific Council recognises the need to develop international relations of the ERC. However, the ERC is still in an evolving phase. Thus its place in the world of research will also be progressively defined through its development and exchange of best practice as one of the big player's in the international research funding scene. (a) Recent achievements of cooperation (over the last two years) Proposals submitted by Canadian nationals

Starting grant 2007: The ERC's first call launched formally in January 2007 for "Starting Grants" to early career researchers has been extraordinarily successful and has shown that this was the right strategy to promote. Out of the 9167 proposals submitted 299 proposals were selected for funding. 33 applications or 0.36% of the total number of applications were made by Canadian nationals. 2 Canadian nationals are amongst the selected 299 projects.

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Advanced grant 2008: 275 candidates have been selected out of 2167 applications so far (reserve list with 19 researchers). 15 Canadian nationals (0.7%) were amongst the 2167 AdG applications. 2 Canadian nationals were selected for funding and are amongst the top 275 proposals.

Starting grant 2009: The recent ERC Starting grant call with deadlines in October – December 2008 for "Starting Grants" had fewer submissions. This was a result of improved participation rules which limited the number and increased the overall quality of submissions to 2,503 proposals of which again around 300 projects will be funded. 3 applications or 0.1% of the total number of applications were made by Canadian nationals who have their residence in Germany, Denmark and Sweden. The selection process is not yet finished.

Advanced grant 2009: 1584 proposals were submitted. 8 applications or 0.5% of the total number of applications were made by Canadian nationals. 2 of them have their residence in Canada. The selection process is not yet finished.

Mobility (from Canada to Europe) A great number of applications for all calls were received from researchers with a residence in Canada and worldwide.

Starting grant 2007: 23 applications (0.25%) were submitted from researchers with a residence in Canada. Only 3 of them were CA nationals and the others were Europeans (e.g. 10 UK nationals). 1 researcher with a residence in Canada (a Finnish citizen) is amongst the selected 299 proposals.

Advanced grant 2008: The number of applications from outside Europe was limited due to its focus on experienced researchers. However, 7 researchers (0.3%) with a residence in the Canada applied for an Advanced grant of which 6 were Canadian nationals and one a UK national. No researcher with a current residence in Canada is amongst the top 275 proposals anticipated for funding.

Starting grant 2009: 3 applications (0.1%) were submitted from researchers with a residence in Canada. No one of them has a Canadian nationality but a Cypriot, Slovakian and Italian nationality.

Advanced grant 2009: 3 applications (0.2%) were submitted from researchers with a residence in Canada. Two of them are Canadian nationals.

(b) Ongoing and planned activities (in 2009/2010) During the early operations of the ERC attention has been focused on the development of the ERC's own operating methods and launching the first calls, that's why external relations have been considered on a rather ad hoc basis. With these operations now in place, and as the ERC develops an increasing interest in making itself broadly known, the ERC Scientific Council is now considering a more strategic and far-reaching international scientific cooperation policy so as to play a key role in the international context where the globalisation of knowledge will raise new challenges. Canadian experts already have been intensively supported the ERC. The 1st Advanced grant panel evaluation was supported by 4 Canadian experts. Prof. Micheline Beaulieu, a Canadian national with a UK professorship, was chair of the PE 6 panel on "Computer science and informatics". A further Canadian expert is appointed for the current 2nd Advanced grant panel evaluation. The current 2nd Starting grant call evaluation is supported by 1 Canadian expert.

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In the frame of a Conference "Research in Europe" on 27 October 2007, Prof. Winnacker, ERC Secretary General, presented an update on the "Stand of Research in Europe and the developments of the ERC" in the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada at the International Review Committee. The ERC and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) organised a joint scientific session on the "Internationalization of Science: Looking Ahead!" as part of the EU-US symposium series at AAAS 2009 in Chicago. (c) Suggestions for new initiatives/activities

The budget of the ERC will continuously increase over the next years. Thus, the opportunities for applications from Third Countries will rise. ERC is thus planning to participate at various events in Northern America in order to increase the awareness on the ERC in Canada and the USA.

Discussion with partners to ensure the spreading of best practice, e.g. on: • framework conditions to enhance the mobility of researchers, gender mainstreaming,

family support mechanism etc. and • the design/management of funding schemes which are comparable to the ERC

instruments (e.g. on funding policies, procedures, assessment of achievements etc.).

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Energy Overall context of cooperation The declaration of the EU-Canada summit of may 6th 2009 states that "[The EC and Canada] believe research, development and demonstration are the activities most suited for our energy cooperation within, for example, our existing Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement; we identify Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), bioenergy, and distributed generation and smart electricity networks as the main priority areas for collaboration". (a) Recent achievements of cooperation (over the last two years)

Ten Canadian participants were registered in FP6 calls under the topic 'Sustainable Energy Systems'. The interest of the Canadians was mainly in hydrogen and fuel cells, CO² capture, and renewable energy systems. Eight of those projects were selected for financing.

Six Canadian participations were noted in the first Energy Call (RTD part) under FP7;

however none of the related proposals have been retained on the Main List for funding, which is disappointing.

There is one Canadian participant in the Poly Zion project, which has been retained in the

main list of the second Energy Call (RTD part)

Energy research cooperation between the EU and Canada also takes place at multi lateral level in the international context of the IEA, the IPHE and CSLF.

Amongst industrialised countries, Canada ranks second, after the US, in submitted proposals

in the energy theme (considering 2007 RTD and TREN calls, and 2008 RTD calls)

(b) Ongoing and planned activities (in 2009/2010) Extensive exchanges between Canadian and EC officials during the last quarter of 2008 and beginning of 2009 have confirmed the potential areas of cooperation: Carbon capture and storage, bioenergy and distributed generation and smart electricity grids. As a result of this exploratory phase, the exchange of information between suitable Canadian and EC projects, or project "twinning", is being considered as a privileged mechanism of choice to implement research cooperation. As agreed during the last videoconference on 23rd of April 2009, a Science and Technology workshop should be organized in 2010 in Canada. Designed with parallel sessions on the agreed areas of cooperation, this workshop would aim in particular to obtain candidate projects for twinning, and determine the best mechanisms to implement itconsidering the results of the exploratory phase. Technical visits could be organized in conjunction with this workshop and might be followed by a reciprocal trip to Europe later on. An initial proposal for the 2010 workshop would be several days of parallel technical visits to different relevant sites in Canada, followed by a day of parallel

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sessions on the topics of cooperation and a final plenary wrap-up session. The timing for the workshop would be set in early 2010. In any case, the promotion of the participation of Canada in the FP7 energy programme should continue to be encouraged on an ad-hoc basis (considering the added value of its participation)., reinforcing the information campaigns and dissemination activities to well targeted and relevant audiences. In particular, for the Energy Theme Work Programme 2010 to be published in summer 2009, several new opportunities are offered in topics that might represent a direct interest to Canada such as:

• Future Energy Technologies, • Carbon Capture and Sequestration site abandonment, • Biofuels from algae, • Fuel production using direct biological conversion of solar radiation, • Energy storage systems for power distribution networks • Large scale demonstration of smart electricity distribution networks with distributed

generation and active customer participation To receive updated information on the upcoming opportunities in the 2010 energy calls Canadian participation in the Energy Information Days on September 14th is encouraged.

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Environment (including climate change)

(a) Recent achievements of relevance to cooperation In FP6, 9 participants from Canada took part in 9 projects funded under the Environment priority. Although in principle Canadian partners are not eligible for FP funding, some Canadian partners received EC financing totalling €217 773. These projects covered areas such as sustainable development, sustainability assessment, pollutant emissions reduction, mapping of natural hazards, environmental risk assessment, chemical pollution disasters, and freshwater ecosystems. A table with FP6 participants from Canada appears in the Annex II. In the first two calls of FP7, 6 projects with Canada participants were selected for funding. Two of the Canadian partners received EC contribution totalling €333 754. The projects focused on a number of environment & health issues (climate change impacts on environmental contaminants and reproductive health; Arctic health risks due to climate change impacts; risk of brain cancer from exposure to radiofrequency fields in childhood and adolescence), as well as environmental technology verification (a coordination action that would focus on building framework for international cooperation in this area). (b) Ongoing and planned activities (for 2009/2010) In 2009 call, 6 Canadian partners participated in 4 successful proposals in the areas of climate change (learning from past climate; strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change on European freshwater ecosystems; climate-induced changes on hydrology of Mediterranean basins – reduction of uncertainty and quantifying risks through integrated monitoring and modelling system), and forest ecosystem genomics. The evaluation results are currently still in the last stages of finalisation.

In the 2010 Work Programme, a topic "North Atlantic Ocean and associated shelf-seas protection and management options – collaboration with US & Canada" was included as a follow-up to the successful cooperation within the BASIN project of the FP6. (c) Suggestions for future initiatives/activities

Further cooperation could be envisaged in the areas of marine ecosystems, environmental technologies, and climate change. In particular, an area in which higher activity of cooperation could be expected is polar research and climate conditions over the Atlantic systems.

Twinning possibilities between FP7 Environment theme projects and Canada projects could be explored within future calls.

An initiative by the Canadian side (similar to those undertaken by Japan and New Zealand in 2009) to set aside funds to finance their participants in successful FP7 projects could be one of the ways to increase Canadian participation in FP7. In order to be successful, such an initiative should include a reasonably broad range of topics and extensive publicity, especially on Canadian side.

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Space Overall context of cooperation: GMES and Space Foundations areas Cooperation between EU and Canada in the space domain has started with the Canadian membership to the European Space Agency (ESA) programmes. Canada is an ESA cooperating member and the Canadian space industry actively participates in many ESA programmes and it has observer status at the ESA-EC Space Council meetings, under the framework of the new European Space Policy. The main areas of cooperation concerns Earth observation, satellite communications, and space technologies. Furthermore, the adoption of the European Space Policy by the European Ministers on 22 May 2007 ensures that Europe plays a leading and significant role in space and that space-based technologies will provide maximum benefit to Europe and its citizens. The EU is charged in particular with strengthening the coordination of resources and programs with ESA and the Member States, and the development of EU instruments and funding schemes to allow for a long-term Community investment in space. (a) Recent achievements of cooperation with Canada (over the last two years) The Canadian participation in the first two FP7 Space calls has been very limited. (b) Ongoing and planned activities involving Canada (in 2009/2010) While the FP7 Space work programme provides opportunities for Canadian universities, research centres, and industries to participate in EC-led space activities, Canada’s participation to date has been very limited. Following the publication of the first two FP7 Space Calls, one partner from Canada is currently participating in the "MyOcean" project, a collaborative project aiming to the development and pre-operational validation of GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security) Marine Core Services and Capabilities. (c) Suggestions for new initiatives/activities The following action plan has been defined:

Raise awareness of upcoming opportunities offered to Canadian industry, research centres, universities in the relevant space actions under FP7;

Identify a dedicated Canadian National Contact Point (NCP) for the FP7 Space programme,

whose tasks will include:

o Undertake networking and consultation with other Space NCPs in Canada and in Europe; o Examine programme funding mechanisms that will allow Canadian participation in the

Space Theme of FP7; o Identification and elaboration of areas of interest (e.g. road-mapping exercises).

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The main priority areas of co-operation identified so far are:

GMES/Earth observation (particular interest on ice and coastal monitoring and forest management), noting that Canada is already participating in the Sentinels programme via ESA.

Integration of SatCom/SatNav with GMES

GMES and Climate Change

Space Science and Exploration

Space Situational Awareness and reducing the vulnerability of Space Assets – Space Weather,

Space Debris. As the lead role of Galileo has been transferred from ESA to the EC, Canada would like to pursue discussions with the appropriate Commission services (DG TREN) in order to secure a continuing role in the development and operationalization of this global system.

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Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, and Biotechnology

Overall context of cooperation: Very active and fruitful collaboration with Canada is taking place under this Theme. Intensive dialogues took place since 2007 particularly with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), leading to various collaboration initiatives which were jointly carried with success. Canada is the first Third country with whom a Projects Twinning initiative has been initiated together with this FP7 Theme, in the areas of Agricultural Bio-products and Food research (2 Twinning Workshops in 2008 with follow-up workshops in 2009). Canada is participating well in this FP7 Theme: a total of 15 CA partners are successfully participating in projects selected from the first three years of KBBE calls (2007-2009). Upon the first two years of FP7 KBBE calls, CA was ranking among the top 10 third countries participating in selected projects, with a success rate of 47%. A very proactive and long-standing collaboration with the bioNCP from CA is facilitating a fluent co-operation (various joint events, the recent Twinning Ws, various actions via the BIOCIRCLE network of third countries bioNCPs, etc). The next bilateral meeting with AAFC (in Ottawa next 29-30 June 2009) included other major agencies in Canada (Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Health Canada, Genome Canada, Food Inspection Agency, Public Health Agency) who have expressed interest in collaborating with this FP7 Theme. (a) Recent achievements of cooperation (over the last two years) BioNCP

Some useful instruments to support international co-operation in this Theme include a Network of Third countries bioNCPs, supported via the FP7 BIOCIRCLE project. This network gathers thematic NCP for Food, Agriculture and Biotechnologies from nearly 20 Third countries/regions, including the countries with bilateral S&T agreements (Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Egypt, India, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, Russia, South Africa, Tunisia, Ukraine), some country with partnership agreements (Kazakhstan) and two regions (Sub-Saharan Africa, represented by FARA – Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa - and South East Asia, represented by Thailand) . Their activities of dissemination and networking in all regions world-wide, in collaboration with DG RTD-E and with the EU bioNCPs, have been instrumental to foster and boost international co-operation in this theme since FP6. The last meeting took place in Rome on 25-26 May 2009.

EC-AAFC Working Group A Working Group between RTD-E and Agriculture-Agri Food Canada has been established since a first meeting in Ottawa in May 2007 (see Conclusions in Annex 2). Since then, a very intensive programme of collaborative initiatives have been undertaken under this WG and jointly carried out, including the first project twinning initiatives and various joint Workshops. EC-

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AAFC regularly met during the past two years, via events and video conferences. It is noteworthy that at the occasion of the next EC-AAFC meeting, which took place in Ottawa in 29-30 June 2009, a series of other Canadian agencies operating in agriculture, forestry, fisheries, food and biotechnology research also joined this forum for dialogue and further collaboration initiatives with the EU. Twinning of projects on Agricultural Bioproducts and Food research

Canada is the first Third country with whom a Projects Twinning initiative has been initiated under FP7 Theme 'Food, Agriculture and Biotechnologies'. The twinning, agreed in 2007 at the occasion of the setting up of the EC-Canada WG with AAFC has been launched first in the area of Agricultural Bioproducts and is presently being implemented (since 2008) in two areas: ‘Biorefineries, Biofuels and Bioproducts’ and 'Food'.

EC- Canada Twinning in ‘Biorefineries, Biofuels and Bioproducts’

The first set of EU-Canada projects twinning was launched by an inaugural Workshop on Twinning opportunities in Agricultural bio products research between the EU and Canada which took place in Montreal in February 2008 with the participation of 35 Canadian and European scientific coordinators of research projects. During the workshop 12 opportunities for twinning were identified including: • exchange of research scientists and students; • organization of scientific meetings; • the development of enzymatic material from platforms related to the use of cell wall

degrading enzymes and the enzymatic cocktail to degrade cellulose at reduced cost; • exchange of analytical methods especially related to cellulose degradation in the process

used in biorefinery; joint publications; • the conducting of common literature review; • participation in workshops and scientific committees. 16-17 June 2009, a second EU-CA Twinning Workshop in bio-products was organized in Pisa with the participation of 10 European and 9 Canadian coordinators, including new EC projects and involvement of new Canadian programmes (Genome Canada). The main objectives of the Pisa workshop were the new twinning projects/programmes opportunities; review of achievements and roadmap for the coming years; enlargement of the twinning beyond biotechnology.

EC- Canada Twinning in 'Food' In the area of Food, a first EU-CA Twinning Workshops already took place (Brussels, 14 October 2008) and a second one is planned in Guelph, Canada next 19-21 October 2009. A preliminary meeting had taken place with AAFC and the EC in Saint Hyacinthe, Canada, on 23 May 2008 to identify food areas of common interest followed by participation to the AAFC/CIFST Joint Annual meeting in Charlottetown on 25-26 May 2008 with a special session on "Research for the future: Enhancing the Agri-Food scientific cooperation with the European Union", and participation to the AAFC Food Research Network meeting in Charlottetown on 28 May 2008.

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The first EU-CA Twinning Workshop in Food gathered 11 projects (5 from the EU, 6 from Canada) and explored opportunities for further collaboration. Types of co-operation activities, both in the short and long term, were identified as follows: • exchange of information, via open events, trainings, joint workshops, access to projects'

intranet web-sites. Participation to a kick-off meeting was even proposed in one case • exchange of data and material (e.g. animal tissue, micro-organisms, biological extracts,

samples) • exchange of human resources (phD, researchers) • scientific advice • Possible outcome identified include long-term support and scientific advice, the

development of biomarkers, the use of new models, sharing approaches for e.g. sampling strategies, feeding trials, validation strategies, modelling, detection methods.

• A survey is currently undertaken to assess whether collaborative activities have been established or will take place between these projects.

The second EU-CA Food twinning workshop will have a similar format as the first one. A few projects will be gathered. The programme is currently being worked out between the EC and AAFC.

Participation in FP7 Food Agriculture and Fisheries and Biotechnology

Call 3 (WP2009) 70 topics have been published in the WP2009 of which 3 specifically targeted Canada. 10 partners from CANADA participated in 9 submitted proposals 4 CA participants were selected (out of 10 in proposals submitted) upon the call FP7-

KBBE-2009-3, with a success rate of 40 % and participated in 4 selected projects.

Call: FP7-KBBE-2008-2B (WP2008) 3 topics were published that specifically targeted Canada. 10 participants from Canada in submitted proposals out of 459 participants from 56 Third countries (17% response is by Third countries, excluding the associated ones) 3 participants from Canada in selected proposals out of 88 Participants from 32 Third countries (excluded associated countries).

Call: FP7-KBBE-2007-2A (WP2007) 4 participants from Canada in submitted proposals for stage 2 out of 141 participants from 43 Third countries (9.6% response is by Third countries, excluding the associated ones) 2 participants from Canada in selected proposals out of 32 Participants from 24 Third countries (excluded associated countries).

Call FP7-KBBE-2007-1 (WP2007) 9 Canadian participants in submitted proposals out of 397 participants from 59 Third Countries (9% response is by third countries, excluding the associated ones). 6 Canadian participants in selected proposals out of 71 participants from 32 Third Countries.

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Joint events & Meetings

Europe-Canada Food Health & Wellness Twinning Workshop, Brussels, 14 Oct 2008 and Bilateral Meeting of the EC-AAFC Working Group, Brussels 15 Oct 2008

International Symposium on Food and Health Research for the Future: Enhancing the Agri-

Food Scientific Cooperation with the European Union' Charlottetown, Prince-Edward-Island, May 26th, 2008 (co-organisers: RTD-E with AAFC)

Round table Canada-Europe on Food, Health and Well-Being, Sint Hyacinte, 23 May 2008

The First Canada-European Union Twinning Workshop on Biofuels and Bioproducts

Montreal, February 18th-19th, 2008 (co-organisers: RTD-E with Agrifood Canada). Twinning activities between CA and EU projects. Participation of the coordinators of the EU twinning project

Canada-EU Forest Biomass Energy workshop, Brussels, September 2007

Seminar: "Opportunities for Canada-EU Cooperation Under the 7th European Framework

Program", St-Hyacinthe, Quebec, 10 May 2007

First EC-AFFC Meeting, Mini-Workshop Canada - European Union ' Canada-EU bilateral meeting: Theme 2 – Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, and Biotechnology', Ottawa + Information Days and mission by RTD-E officials, including the Director, to Ottawa and St Hyacinte, 8-10 May 2007

Regular Bio-NCP meetings, including Third Countries, Brussels, the last one in November

2007 (bio-NCP from Canada, from AFFC, attended the meeting)

(b) Ongoing and planned activities (in 2009/2010)

The twinning initiatives are on-going and being extended to further area (agriculture): more

twinning Ws planned for 2009 (Agriculture and Bioproducts, Pisa, June 2009; Food, Guelph, Oct 2009

The dialogues with Canadian agencies is being extended : AAFC mediated the

participation of several other agencies in the dialogues with EC-RTDeE (meeting of June 29 in Ottawa)

Upcoming meetings:

o Bilateral Meeting with AAFC and CA funding agencies, Ottawa, and JSTCC Meeting, 29-30 June 2009

o EU-CA workshop on Bioproducts twinning, Italy, 16-17 June 2009 o EU-CA workshop on Food twinning, 19-20 Oct 2009

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Nanosciences, Nanotechnologies, Materials and New Production Technologies

(a) Recent achievements of cooperation (over the last two years) Canada participated into the first phase of IMS initiative which was concluded in 2005. During that period some 60 research and industrial organisations from Canada participated in the various projects developed and successfully completed under the scheme. Although, at the moment it has not yet renewed its membership to such a scheme, its re-joining is under discussion and all IMS regions are looking forward to have them on board again. Canada participated in the International Dialogue on Responsible Research and Development in Nanotechnology, which took place in Brussels in March 2008. In the framework of the OECD nanotechnology Working Parties, where both Canada and the EC are participating, some contacts are taking place with the Canadians representatives for possible cooperation in the nano field. Under FP7 (calls 2007 and 2008), the following projects involve Canadian partners where they play a crucial role:

SELFMEM "Self-Assembled Polymers membranes"

ANASTASIA "Advanced Nano-Structured tapes for electrotechnical high power insulating applications"

POLYZION "Fast rechargeable zinc-polymer battery based on ionics liquids"

INNOSHADE " Innovative switchable shading appliances based on nanomaterials and

hybrid electrochromic device configurations" (b) Ongoing and planned activities (in 2009/2010) In the IMS scheme, a project named "Maintenance for sustainable manufacturing – M4SM" was recently set up and presented at the IMS workshop on 27 April 2009 in Zurich, where the University of Toronto – CMORE Research Centre is participating as one of the International partners. Another project monitoring of "IMS2020" is a coordination action aimed at strengthening international co-operation under the IMS initiative, providing an effective interface to ongoing road-mapping activities in all IMS regions, so including US, and creating research synergies at international level through establishment of inter-regional manufacturing communities. In particular the resulting roadmaps will be ready by October and be presented at the IMS event in November (see below). The development of the roadmaps is particularly relevant since they will identify suitable topics for International Cooperation under the IMS scheme, starting from the regional roadmaps which every IMS region will provide to the IMS2020 coordinator. Moreover, a number of industrial and research organisations will be interviewed in CANADA.

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(c) Suggestions for new initiatives/activities

A joint activity (coordinated call, twinning projects, etc) with Canada could be explored, particularly in the field of supraconductive materials.

Organise bilateral meetings with the CAN governmental representatives to present the

current IMS scheme and projects and encourage them to re-join the initiative in order to pave the way for multi-lateral cooperation of their industry with the other IMS regions, i.e. EU, US, JP, KR and CH.

In the 2010 NMP WP, the topic "Reference methods for managing the risk of engineered

nanoparticles" for Large-scale integrative projects encourages third country participation and collaboration with similar projects globally. This could present a concrete opportunity for further Canadian participation in NMP.

Continuously monitor the development of the EU and CAN roadmaps on International

research in manufacturing, so as to ensure synergies on and encourage / facilitate future collaborations

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Health (a) Concrete achievements (over the last years) In the "Life Sciences, Genomics and Biotechnology for Health" priority of FP6, Canada was represented by ten research teams in nine successful proposals. The projects address issues ranging from Stem Cells research, genomics and transcriptomics, cancer and autoimmune disease to ageing research and harmonisation of biobanks. The EC commitment to these 10 partners amounts to over 1 million Euro, which was mainly attributed to one of the projects, 3 receiving nominal amounts and the rest operating at own costs. In the first call for proposals in FP7 in 2007 the Health Theme there were thirteen participants from Canada in proposals, of which three were in two proposals that are being funded. These projects are a Network on Genetic and Genomic Epidemiology and a project addressing a novel drug target for HIV-host interactions. The Canadian partners are from the University of Montreal, the Ontario Institute of Cancer Research and the Institutes de Recherches Cliniques de Montreal. In the second call for proposals in Fp7, evaluated in 2008, there were again thirteen participations of Canadian teams in proposals. Seven Canadian participants were in successful proposals. These address issues related to: Safety Of non-Steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; Conditional expression of mutated mouse alleles; Trends in Population Health and Health Policies in CIS Countries; mentoring the next generation of researchers for tuberculosis; Supporting the Use of Research Evidence (SURE) for Policy in African Health Systems; Facilitating Implementation of Research Evidence; and The International Data Coordination Centre. The partners involved are: The University of Alberta; The University of Manitoba; Mc Gill University Health Centre; Mount Sinai Hospital and the McMaster University in Hamilton. The Commission contributes in total 620 thousand Euros to these 10 partners in the 1st and 2nd FP7 call projects. (b) Ongoing and planned activities (in 2009/2010) In the third call for proposals in FP7, evaluated in the first half of 2009, there were four Canadian participants in proposals in the "single stage" part of the programme. None were in successful proposals. The "two stage" part of the programme is still under evaluation at the time of the writing of this briefing. The results, and in particular the information on whether there were any Canadian participants in successful proposals, can be communicated at the time of the S+T meeting in Ottawa. The Commission co-organised and supported the attendance of several European scientists in the International Data Release Workshop held in Toronto mid May 2009. The purpose of the workshop was to debate guidelines for principles of the release of raw data from publicly funded projects in the genomics and related "-omics" fields. In 1996, at a meeting in Bermuda, researchers participating in the Human Genome Project agreed to release DNA sequence information daily into a public database. In 2003, the scientific community reiterated this pledge at a follow-up meeting in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and came up with guidelines on how prepublication data should be used. Now pressure is mounting to extend the Bermuda Principles to a broad range of publicly funded projects that go beyond sequencing. They include whole-

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genome association studies, microarray surveys, epigenomics scans, protein structures, large-scale screening of small molecules for biological activity, and functional genomics data, only some of which are now covered by prepublication data-release policies. On 20 - 22 May 2009 the EC funded project CASIMIR (SA in FP6) organised in Rome a workshop on "Sharing Data and Resources in Functional Genomics" with the emphasis on mouse functional genomics but many issues discussed were of broader applicability. Representatives of several global genomics research funding agencies (including EC, NIH, Genome Canada, Wellcome Trust, MRC, BBSRC) were present together with many scientists. As the outcome the "Rome agenda" - recommendations for sharing data and resources in mouse functional genomics will be published. Furthermore, directorate Health is actively pursuing some international "large scale" initiatives where Canada is an important partner. The currently ongoing or planned initiatives are listed below:

Participation on the first "Genomic Funders Meeting" EC actively participated on the first "Genomic Funders Meeting" convened at Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City, Canada on 17 – 19 October 2007 on the initiative of Genome Canada. The aim of the meeting was to share experience between national and transnational genomics – research funding agencies on their participation in large genomics international efforts as well as identify priorities and mechanisms for the organisation of future large initiatives.

International Knock – out Mouse Consortium (IKMC)

IKMC was officially created by signing a "Letter of Intent" (LoI) between Genome Canada, NIH and the EC on the occasion of the " Brussels Conference on the future of the Mouse Functional Genomics " (Genval, 15 – 16 March 2007). The IKMC defines the collaboration and coordination between three large – scale mouse gene knock – out resources: NORCOMM (Canada), KOMP (NIH) and EUCOMM (EC – FP6). The LoI also defines broad principles of the base of cooperation (free and open release of data and resources generated, promotion of efficiency in the mouse knock – outs, coordination of the work plans for research, sharing data and publication). Any additional genomics funding agency agreeing to the principles defined by the LoI can join the IKMC in the future.

International Human Microbiome Consortium (IHMC)

The International Human Microbiome Consortium (IHMC) was formed in Heidelberg, Germany on 16 October 2008. The principle of this collaboration is to take a genomic-approach to identifying all the key microorganisms that live in and on the human body for the purpose of understanding their contribution to health and disease. The consortium defines general principles of the collaboration, including policies on data release. Canada participates to the IHMC through the Canadian Microbiome Initiative funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) - Institute of Infection and Immunity. Genome Canada has a status of Observing Member as it does not currently fund any project on human microbiome. Participation to the IHMC is expanding and is likely to involve 8-11 projects from 10 different countries, including from Asia and Africa).

Preparation for the International Cancer Genomics Consortium (ICGC)

EC has been actively involved in the preparation of the ICGC (together with other genomics – research finding agencies: NIH, Genome Canada, Wellcome Trust) and participated in the first ICGC Conference in Toronto on 1 – 2 October 2007 as a Funding Agency. In the

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Health Third Call Two Stage a topic for a large - scale CP for a European Contribution to the ICGC was published. Several proposals were evaluated positively at the first stage and were invited to the second stage (evaluations to take place in June). It is reasonable to expect that we would get at least one project funded. After the EC funds a project, it also gets a "Full member" status in ICGC Executive Committee, where we are currently observers.

Preparation for the future initiative on "Affinity Reagents for Human Proteome"

EC actively participated at the conference "Affinity Reagents for Human Proteome" (co-organised by the NIH/NCI, Genome Canada, Wellcome Trust, Structural Genomic Consortium, Human Proteome Resource and the EU Protein Binders Initiative) in Stockholm, 15 – 16 March 2008 to discuss the possibilities for the preparation of the large international initiative in the are of proteome binders.

(c) suggestions for new initiatives

The fourth call for proposals for the Health theme of FP7 issued in July 2009 includes several topics of potential interest to Canadian researchers.

The possibility to organise "Health Info Days" in Canada, in particular after the appointment

of the Canadian Health NCP (R. Shaerer, Health Counsellor at the Mission of Canada to the EU) should be explored.

The cooperation within the existing large – scale international activities (IKMC, IHMC and

ICGC) will be strengthened and continued.

The dialogue amongst the Genome Funders in the " International Genome Funders Forum " should be strengthened and focused on important policy – related issues (i.e. samples, data-sharing and standards), and should be given more visibility.

Research in Neurodegenerative diseases, in particular the Alzheimer disease, was identified as

an important area of mutual EU – Canadian interest. Some of the activities already being implemented through ERA-NETs, ERA-CAN and NEURON should be developed further.

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Information and Communication Technologies (a) Recent achievements of cooperation The Canadian and European ICT research communities have established good and sustainable relations with the active contribution of research funding organisations from both sides. In particular the active involvement of Communications Research Centre Canada (CRC) has resulted in high awareness in and an increasing participation of Canadian organisations in the FP7 ICT theme (8 Canadian entities participate in successful projects emerging out of Calls 1, 2 and 3). The 8 retained projects address the following research areas: Photonic components and subsystems, digital libraries and technology enhancing learning, Future and Emerging Technology–Open, accessible and inclusive ICT and network of the future. (b) Ongoing and planned activities (in 2009/2010) Canada has been giving good visibility of the country's impressive research actors through its pavilion in the ICT Exhibition held in Lyon in 2008 as well as by setting up a Canada-EU Networking Workshop at that same event. However, in order to intensify cooperation in the FP7 ICT Theme, regular meetings for presenting and promoting ICT research collaboration to interested Canadian and EU research institutes should be organised. Potential areas for initiating or strengthening further cooperation in the context of the FP7 ICT Theme include: Research Infrastructures, Future Internet, ICT Trust and Security, Photonics, ICT for Patient Safety, Micro and nano-electronics, Quantum Information Processing and Communications. The EC (DG INFSO) and Canada established in 2003 an EU-Canada Joint Working Group for Co-operation in Telecommunications and Information Technology, whose objective was to develop relations and co-operative activities in various Information Society Technology domains. European and Canadian representatives meet regularly to exchange views, from yearly bilateral summits of leaders to meetings between officials on specific issues. Due to high level of policy convergence and organisational changes in the administrations on both sides this activity was later discontinued.. An interest was recently expressed in renewing this activity. The thematic workshop on “Information & Communication Technologies” was one of the parallel sessions of the last Joint S&T Consultative Committee held in Ottawa on 18-19 June 2009. It included the participation of DG INFSO on the EC side and of several Governmental Research Centers and Agencies on the Canadian side: the National Research Council, the Communication Research Center and CANARIE (Canada’s Advanced Network www.canarie.ca). The JSTCC meeting discussed future prospects for S&T cooperative activity in the specific areas of common interest, including mechanisms for implementing deeper cooperation (e.g. twinning calls), in few focused areas of interest. One of such ICT priority areas is ICT Research Infrastructures, that emerged from the discussions and visits to the CANARIE laboratories.

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(c) Suggestions for new initiatives/activities The JSTCC confirmed the common interest to deepen the EC-Canada dialogue on future S&T cooperative activities and to establish, in the longer term, procedures for fostering cooperation in the area of ICT research , i.e. how to reactivate the EU-Canada dialogue on Information Society and how to better define “twinning call” mechanisms that could be applied in specific research areas of common interest. Furthermore, a common interest was expressed for exploring the possibility to launch a “EU-Canada Working Group for Co-operation in Information and Communication Technology”, in view of a renewed EU-Canada dialogue on Information Society. It would be composed of representatives of the EC (DG INFSO) and Canadian authorities. The main objective of the Working Group could be to strengthening bilateral contacts and exchange information and best practices on policy and regulatory issues; for example regarding electronic communications, spectrum management, internet and security concerns. The Working Group could also facilitate exchange information on research priority issues and assess the feasibility of fostering more specific dialogue and common ICT research initiatives in the coming years, for example by exploring the feasibility of “twinning call” mechanisms. Contacts will be taken with relevant services within DG INFSO, as well as representatives of the Canadian mission in Brussels, to discuss further the scope, mechanisms and participants in such a Working Group.

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Socio-economic Sciences and Humanities (a) Recent achievements of cooperation (over the last two years) Under FP6, there were 23 Canadian participants in submitted proposals, from which two participated in two selected projects:

MEADOW (Measuring the dynamics of organisations and work: proposed guidelines for collecting and interpreting data on organisational change and its economic and social impacts) - Partner: Statistics Canada (Ottawa).

KATARSIS (Growing Inequality and Social Innovation: Alternative Knowledge and Practice in Overcoming Social Exclusion in Europe) - Partner: Université du Québec à Montréal.

The Canadian CIGI (Centre for International Governance Innovation) co-funded and co-organised two annual conferences of the FP6 Network of Excellence GARNET (Global Governance, Regionalisation and Regulation: The Role of the EU) on global governance, while not being a formal partner. The FP6 project CHALLENGE (The Changing Landscape of European Liberty and Security) has a 'sister project' on JHA EU/Canada funded by DG RELEX and involving the University of Toronto and the University of Victoria. So far under FP7, there have been 21 participants in submitted proposals, and five take part in selected projects:

EU-GRASP (Changing Multilateralism: The EU as a Global-regional Actor in Security and Peace) – Partner: The Centre For International Governance Innovation, Waterloo.

CIT-PART (Impact of Citizen Participation on Decision-Making in a Knowledge Intensive Policy Field) – Partner: University of Calgary.

SOCIAL POLIS (Social Platform on Cities and Social Cohesion) – Partner: Université du Québec à Montréal.

INFOCON (Involving Transnational Communities - Civil Society Forum on Conflicts) – Partner: Institut Québécois Des Hautes Études Internationales.

GUSTO (Meeting the challenges of economic uncertainty and sustainability through employment, industrial relations, social and environmental policies in European countries) – Partner: McGill University/Royal Institution for the Advancement of Learning.

(b) Ongoing and planned activities (in 2009/2010)

For the time being (May 2009) there are no planned activities with Canada.

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Science in Society (Governance and Ethics) Overall context of cooperation: The ‘Science in society’ initiative aims at the enhancement of research and innovation capacity in Europe. This aim, inter alia, to support and stimulate the harmonious integration of scientific and technological endeavour and associated research policies, by encouraging reflection and debate on science and technology, and their relation with the whole spectrum of society and culture. (a) Recent achievements of cooperation (over the last two years) Under FP6, there have been 14 participants in submitted proposals, from which five participated in three selected projects:

CHIMBRIDS (Chimeras and Hybrids in comparative European and International Research - natural scientific, ethical, philosophical and legal aspects) - Partners: University of Montreal and University of Toronto.

EDUBIOETHICS (Bioethical education on medical progress and human rights, in a multicultural, multidisciplinar and multireligious environment) - Partners: University of Montreal, and Public Law Research Centre (Montreal).

MANAGING COMPLEXITY (Designing A New Risk Governance Model for Managing Complexity. Uncertainty and Unpredictability in the Post-Genomic Era) - Partner: University of Calgary.

So far under FP7, there have been seven participants in submitted proposals, and one participates in a selected project:

EDS-CLIPS (Education for Sustainable Development: Community-based-research on Local-International Production Systems) – Partner: University of Regina.

It is not rare to have some Canadian experts among project evaluators. (b) Ongoing and planned activities (in 2009/2010) There is for the time being (May 2009) no planned activity with Canada and no Canadian partner in the most recent FP7 projects yet. (c) Suggestions for new initiatives/activities

Activities with Canada can be further explored, in particular with regard to public engagement in science and research, safe development and use of nanotechnologies (cf. the EC Code of Conduct for Responsible Nanosciences and Nanotechnology Research) and co-operation in the ethics review process.

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Transport (including Aeronautics)

Overall Context: There is limited EC-Canada cooperation in aeronautics and rail research due to industrial competition. Where Canada participates in FP6 / FP7 transport research, it is either through Canadian partners direct involvement in EU projects or through their European subsidiaries (Bombardier). There is scope for strengthening cooperation in transport research in specific areas. (a) Recent achievements (over the last two years) Sub-theme Aeronautics:

FP6: Eight proposals involving eight applications of six Canadian applicants requesting a total EC funding of 330 k€ received. Five were rejected and three were selected for funding, out of which one (STAR) had its Canadian partner (IATA) leaving the consortium during negotiation. Centre Technologique en Aérospatiale participated with no EC funding to the support actions SCRATCH (2006-2007) and SCRATCH PHASE IV (2004-2006) dedicated to support for SMEs collaborative aeronautical technical research.

FP6 – Air Traffic Management (DG TREN): International Air Transport Association (IATA) whose headquarters are in Montreal got a total EC contribution of 430k€ for its participation in the project SPADE (Supporting Platform for Airport Decision-Making and Efficiency Analysis) and its sequel SPADE-2 on the development, implementation, test and evaluation of an integrated computational platform to support policy and political decisions related to airport development, planning and operations.

FP7 1st Call (WP2007): Four proposals with four Canadian applicants received, one selected. The University of Toronto participates with no EC funding (total cost of 247k€) in the 4 year project ALPHA-BIRD (Alternative Fuels and Bio-fuels for Aircraft Development) which aims at developing the use of alternative fuels in aeronautics.

FP7 2nd Call (WP2008): Two proposals with two Canadian applicants received but none selected.

Short Brothers PLC, a Northern Ireland subsidiary of the Canadian company Bombardier Aéronautique gets EU funding trough participation in FP projects: • FP6: 1.169 M€ EC funding for participation in the on-going ALCAS (Advanced Low

Cost Aircraft Structures) project which aims at integrating and validating mature and new composite technologies for aircraft structures.

• FP7: 191k€ EC funding for participation in the on-going MAAXIMUS (More Affordable Aircraft structure through eXtended, Integrated, and Mature nUmerical Sizing) project whose aim is to demonstrate the fast development and right-first-time validation of a highly-optimised composite airframe.

One expert (from Bombardier Canada) participated as an evaluator for an FP7 call.

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Sub-theme Surface Transport:

FP6: Two proposals involving two Canadian applicants requesting a total EC contribution of

210k€ received, one rejected. One Canadian partner joined a proposal selected for funding leading to two Canadian participations: • The National Research Council of Canada participated with no EC funding to the project

SAFEICE (Increasing the Safety of Icebound Shipping, 2004-2007) whose aim was to develop ice class rules for ship hull strength.

• Thales Rail Signalling Solutions Inc got 393 k€ for participation in the 4 year project MODURBAN (Modular urban guided rail systems).which ended in March 2009 and was aimed at developing and testing an open common core system architecture and its interfaces for the next generations of urban-guided public transport systems.

FP7 1st Call (WP2007): Five proposals involving six Canadian applicants requesting a total

EC contribution of 72 k€ (total cost 1 M€) received. Two were rejected and three were selected for funding. One Canadian partner dropped out during negotiation leading to two successful participation: • Thales Rail Signalling Solutions Inc gets 38 k€ for its participation in the 4 year project

MODSAFE (Modular Urban Transport Safety and Security Analysis) which aims at providing hazards and risk analysis for urban guided transport. The project started in Sept. 2008.

• The Memorial University of Newfoundland participates with no EC contribution (total cost 380 k€) in the 3 year project SAFEGUARD (Ship Evacuation Data and Scenarios) which aims at providing full-scale data for calibration and validation of ship based evacuation models and investigating benchmark scenarios for certification analysis.

FP7 2nd Call (WP2008): Four proposals involving four Canadian applicants requesting a

total EC contribution of 255 k€ (total cost 971 k€) received and rejected.

Bombardier Transportation AG, a Swiss subsidiary from the Canadian Company Bombardier Transportation will get an EC contribution of 361 k€ (700 k€ total cost) for its participation in the 4 year FP7 project SYMPASS (System Modelling Process for Auxiliary Supply Systems) whose objective is the development of a simulation platform for virtual prototyping for the design of auxiliary power systems and other connected sub-systems in railway vehicles.

Sub-theme Galileo:

FP7 1st Call (WP2007): One proposal with two Canadian applicants requesting no EC funding received and selected for funding: Cobham Tracking & Locating Ltd. and Communications Research Centre will participate in the SARBACAN (SAR BeAcon development with CANada) project which deals with Galileo MEOSAR beacon prototype development.

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(b) Ongoing and planned activities (in 2009/2010)

To promote the trans-national cooperation of FP7 Transport National Contact Points, the ETNA project (ETNA- European Transport NCP Alliance) was launched. ETNA offers training opportunities for non-European participants that could be beneficial to Canadian partners to gain insights into transport research under FP7. (c) Suggestions for new initiatives/activities Programme level cooperation ("a priori twinning"), i.e. coordinated programming with Canadian funding agencies, could be envisaged to overcome administrative and legal difficulties of European and Canadian organizations in participating respectively in Canada and EU funded projects. Sub-theme Aeronautics:

In addition to Safety and Air Traffic Management topics of global concern, areas of mutual interest and benefit in EU-Canada R&D cooperation could be: • Environmental standards, e.g. alternative fuels, emissions, impact on climate; • Pioneering the Air Transport of the Future e.g. new sources of propulsive power.

UN organisation ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) headquartered in

Montreal could be a relevant project partner in specific areas. Sub-theme Surface Transport:

Areas of mutual interest in EU-Canada R&D cooperation could be: • Intermodal freight transport, information highway in logistics; • Maritime transport; • Road Transport:

o Road Electrification: green (especially electric and hybrid), and intelligent vehicles, batteries;

o CO2 emission mitigation and environmental impact of transport; o Integrated Safety and Security.

• Hydrogen and fuel cell: Canada has a well developed strategy and roadmap for implementing hydrogen and fuel cell technologies with a long history of EU-Canada co-operation worth deepening. The EU funded HyFleet:CUTE project demonstrates a total of 47 hydrogen powered buses including 33 buses powered by fuel cells produced by the Canadian company Ballard Power Systems.