Dear Photonics21 members,

in this newsletter edition we would like to inform you on the proposal for the new EU Framework Programme Horizon 2020. Photonics is mentioned as Key Digital Technology.

We also like to provide you latest information on the photonics roadmap process towards a new European photonics roadmap in preparation of Horizon Europe.

Furthermore, we would like to update you on latest Photonics PPP project news.

As always you will find some further European photonics news and upcoming events.
If you would like to inform the Photonics21 membership on any photonics activities or events within your national or regional photonics community or provide us your feedback to the Photonics21 newsletter you can send it to SECRETARIAT@PHOTONICS21.ORG.
Best regards

Photonics21 secretariat

Photonics mentioned as Key Digital Technology - European Commission publishes its proposal for Horizon Europe – the next research and innovation framework programme

The European Commission has published the proposal for the next research and innovation framework programme Horizon Europe which will succeed the current programme Horizon 2020. The proposal foresees a budget of € 100 billion for 2021-2027 for Horizon Europe and the Euratom Research and Training Programme.

The new programme should be implemented under three pillars:

• Pillar 1 – Open Science
• Pillar 2 – Global Challenges and Industrial Competitiveness
• Pillar 3 – Open Innovation

Horizon Europe to leverage the innovation potential of photonics

The EU's flagship research programme Horizon Europe, can unlock a wide range of benefits, such as curing diseases, creating jobs, and driving economic growth, with a dedicated and increased budget.

Running from 2021-2030, Horizon Europe holds a wealth of opportunities for the next phase of the Photonics PPP.

To further increase the visibility of photonics and the Photonics PPP Photonics21 Executive Board member Dr Heinz Seyringer participated at a high level political panel discussion in Brussels alongside a Science Business event.

Dr Heinz Seyringer, Photonics21 Executive Board Member, said: "So much has been achieved by the Photonics PPP, Horizon 2020 and the European Commission's collaboration, but it is essential to keep this momentum going."

"This next phase of Horizon Europe has the potential to unlock so many benefits and make the Digital Transformation happen" said Dr Seyringer.

Financing Europe’s Digital Transformation: Unlocking the value of photonics and micro-electronics

A new report which was prepared by the joint European Commission–European Investment Bank (EIB) InnovFin Advisory comes to the conclusion that companies in the photonic and micro-electronic sectors do not have access to financing when they most need it. In their early-stage and growth-stage access to finance is rarely available to bring new technological applications to the market.

European Commission launches the digital opportunity traineeships initiative

Many companies say that young people leaving education are not ready for the workplace. More than 40% of businesses in Europe looking for ICT specialists report difficulties in recruiting the right people. To respond to this challenge, the Commission launched the Digital Opportunity Traineeships initiative.

The Digital Opportunity Traineeships are a pilot project that can enable up to 6,000 students to gain digital skills and valuable work experience through traineeships with organisations, mostly businesses, abroad. The first traineeships will start in June 2018 and the trainees will receive an allowance of around 500 EUR per month, for an average of five months. The pilot project will be financed by Horizon 2020 and implemented through Erasmus+. The initiative is open to all Erasmus+ Programme Countries as well as to Horizon 2020 Associated Countries.

Photonics roadmap process towards Horizon Europe

In the framework of the photonics roadmap process Photonics21 work group 4 hold a follow-up workshop on 20th June 2018 to further streamline the input for the photonics roadmap section. Photonics21 work group 5 has already circulated a first draft section for the roadmap for further feedback and comments. Photonics21 work group 3 has scheduled a follow-up workshop on 5th July 2018 in Berlin. A thematic workshop on the topic "Automotive and Transport" is planned on 6th September 2018. Any further draft documents will be shared with the Photonics21 work group members via e-mail and in the Photonics21 member area of the Photonics21 website within the next months.

Save the date & register now - Photonics21 workshop "Automotive and Transport" - 6th September 2018, Paris

A Photonics21 Workshop "Automotive and Transport" has been scheduled on 6th September 2018 and will be held at the Charles de Gaulles airport in Paris.

The workshop will be held in the context of the European photonics roadmap process towards a new Photonics Multiannual Strategic Roadmap in preparation of the new European Framework Programme Horizon Europe. The aim of the workshop is to discuss about and to identify the future research and innovation challenges for photonics in the field of automotive and transport.

You can now register to the workshop if you click on the button below.

Europe’s Age of Light – Leverage the unbroken potential of photonics technologies

Photonics21 published an E-postcard which outlines the innovation potential of photonics technologies and our needs to drive the digital revolution and towards the new EU Framework Programme Horizon Europe.

If you would like to receive some hard copies you can send an e-mail to secretariat@photonics21.org and indicate the amount of copies you would like to receive as well as the respective delivery address.

PhotonicsPPP project WaterSpy - New deadly-bacteria detector to prevent water companies from closure

A European research team is developing a photonic-ultrasound-based detector that will save water companies from closure in the wake of tough new drinking-water regulations, soon to be implemented by the WHO, providing the quickest ever safety diagnosis for deadly bacteria.

Video launch: Photonics PPP project PHOS-ISTOS develops laser fabric that cures skin diseases

Chronic skin conditions such as Actinic Keratosis, acne, and psoriasis can now be treated in a single 150-minute appointment, thanks to a new wearable laser that blasts the skin with light.
French scientists at 'Texinov Medical Textiles', have developed a knitted laser fabric that blasts the skin with light, giving treatment to enflamed skin or lesions over a 2-and-a-half-hour appointment.

Join - COSMICC STREAMS - 3rd European Summer School on PICs for Optical Interconnects

Coorganized by Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH) and the Tyndall National Institute of Ireland within the frame of the European H2020-ICT projects ICT-STREAMS (www.ict-streams.eu) and COSMICC (http://www.h2020-cosmicc.com/), the summer school focuses on integrated photonics and optical interconnect technologies and architectures across the different hierarchy levels in data centers and high-performance computing systems.

To find more information visit the summer school's website