Spring/ Summer 2011

Introduction to ERA-Can: information service for researchers

This is the first newsletter of the new ERA-Can project: an information and support service for Canadian interested in developing a research network, or pursuing projects with European colleagues, through participation in the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) – Europe’s main instrument for research funding.

There are already 168 Canadians involved in FP7 projects. More than ever before! They’re working in all fields, in 25 different universities as well as government laboratories and private companies across Canada. Some are hosting European postdoctoral fellows or visiting professors. Others are doing research in Europe. This newsletter will introduce you to their work and the ways in which Canadians can participate in FP7 projects.

ERA-Can is a joint initiative of the Government of Canada and the European Commission. We encourage you to visit our website or contact us directly. We provide information on events, research projects, calls for proposals and application procedures. We offer information sessions across Canada and respond to individual inquiries. We look forward to hearing from you!

Visit our New Website!

At the end of May 2011, ERA-Can launched its new and improved website. We hope you’ll come take a look!

The new website features:

• Stories about Canadian researchers participating in projects supported by the Seventh Framework Programme. They are tackling global challenges and raising the profile of their work on the international stage. You will find some of these stories featured in this newsletter but please keep checking the website for more.
• Opportunities for Canadian researchers in FP7 - linking you to current calls for proposals.
• A listing of upcoming ERA-Can events.
• ERA-Can presentations.
• Information about our Advice Service and how to get in touch with the ERA-Can Secretariat and FP7 National Contact Points in Canada.
• In-depth information on FP7 Mobility and Training programs.

Opportunities for Canadians: FP7 Mobility and Training Programs

The Seventh Framework Programme offers a number of mobility and training programs that can directly benefit Canadian researchers and research organizations: including the International Incoming Fellowship (IIF) and the International Outgoing Fellowship (IOF) as well as the Initial Training Grant (ITG) and the International Research Staff Exchange Scheme (IRSES).

The International Incoming Fellowship allows experienced Canadian researchers (professors and postdoctoral fellows) to pursue research and training at a European organization. The fellowship offers a generous living allowance and covers travel, accommodation and research expenses for Canadians to bring their expertise to Europe.

The International Outgoing Fellowship allows Canadian universities and other research organizations to host visiting professors and postdoctoral fellows from Europe. With a living allowance, and accommodation, travel and research expenses covered by the Fellowship, Europeans can work and develop their expertise at Canadian institutions.

The Initial Training Grant and the International Research Staff Exchange Scheme both support plans for exchanges between Canadian and European organizations engaged in doctoral training, on one hand, and international research collaborations, on the other.

For more on these mobility and training programs, please view our website or contact the ERA-Can secretariat.

Canadians Already in FP7 Projects

a) Mentoring a New Generation: Pai Tuberculosis Research Group (McGill University)

One third of the world’s population is currently suffering from tuberculosis. But a team of doctors from the European Union (EU) and Canada aims to change that! Dr. Madhukar Pai of McGill University in Montreal has been working with researchers from the United Kingdom, India, South Africa, Germany and Italy on a Seventh Framework Programme project to mentor young researchers in the development of new diagnostic and treatment tools for TB.

The project’s main goal is to sustain research momentum in TB by nurturing and supporting doctoral students and postdoctoral fellows globally. Tuberculosis is most prevalent in the developing world – so diagnostic tools must be inexpensive and rapid to be effective. The tests that are currently most widely used include the tuberculin skin test, the chest x-ray, and sputum smear microscopy. They are over a century old, take weeks to obtain results and produce a large number of false positives. Without being able to trust the diagnostic tools, doctors are unable to stop an epidemic.

Read more…

b) Creating Healthy Beef – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (Lacombe Laboratory, Alberta)

Dr. Noelia Aldai of Spain came to Canada as a Marie Curie Fellow (International Outgoing Fellowship) and worked with Dr. Mike Dugan at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Lacombe Laboratory on a project to analyze and improve the fatty acid content of beef.

            The dangers of trans-fats in the human diet have become well known in the last decade. Over consumption of trans-fats can lead to the development of coronary heart disease. What is less commonly understood is the importance of “good” fats which can have health promoting properties.

This joint project between Spain, Canada and Australia aimed to analyze levels of “good” fats – such as rumenic acid, and vaccenic acid - versus “bad” fats - such as trans10-18:1. The researchers’ object was to measure the levels of fats in the beef, as well as the bacterial contents of the cow’s rumen (or stomach) and then use a combination of diet changes to attempt to improve those fatty acid levels.

            Read more…

ERA-Can Events

ERA-Can has three information sessions in the planning stages:

• FP7 Space – Canadian Space Agency – Montreal - Fall 2011
• FP7 Innovation – American Association for the Advancement of Science conference – Vancouver – February 2012
• FP7 Health – Stem Cell Network Annual Conference – May 2012

If you are interested in hosting or participating in an Information Session on the opportunities for Canadians in FP7, please contact us.

There is also one Policy and Training Workshop at the planning stage.

• FP7 Legal and Financial Issues – Ottawa – September 2011

Please check our website for updates on upcoming events.

Presentations can be found on our website from recent ERA-Can events.

• FP7 Social Sciences and Humanities – Canadian Association for Studies in Cooperation Annual Conference, Fredericton (1 June 2011)
• FP7 Social Sciences and Humanities – Canadian Sociology Association Annual Conference, Fredericton (1 June 2011)
• FP7 Mobility and Training Info Session, UBC, Vancouver, 13 May 2011
• FP7 Opportunities Info Session, Italian Research Community in Canada, Montreal, 28 April 2011
• FP7 Opportunities Info Session, Inter-departmental Network for International Science and Technology Meeting, Ottawa, 27 April 2011
• Canadian National Contact Point Workshop, Ottawa, 9 March 2011
• FP7 Opportunities Info Session – EU Member State S&T Meeting, Ottawa, 3 March 2011