Ministry of Science Opening Bridgehead in Brussels
The Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation will establish a liaison office in Brussels, intended to contribute to greater Danish participation in EU research programmes.
On Friday 1 September, the Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation will establish a liaison office near the European Commission in Brussels, intended to contribute to greater Danish participation in EU research programmes.
– In recent years we have seen a decline in the Danish share of EU research funds granted as project support to Danish enterprises and research institutions. It is the Government's goal that Danish participation in European research programmes and networks should be doubled over the next few years. The new bridgehead in Brussels will contribute to ensuring this progress, says Science Minister Helge Sander.
Next year will see the start of the seventh EU framework programme for research and technological development, where DKK 380 billion has been allocated for projects during the period 2007-2013. The new bridgehead in Brussels is primarily intended to help Danish researchers and enterprises in establishing useful contacts to the Commission in connection with the framework programme.
The office will be headed by Claus Christiansen, MD, DMSc, who has extensive research and management experience both from the public and private sectors. Among Dr. Christiansen's posts have been Director of Biotechnological Institute and Director of Research at Danisco, and he has held a number of representative posts, including Vice-Chairman of the Danish Technical Research Council.
The new Danish bridgehead will have current contact to the EU Commission and participate in a network with other national liaison offices for research for the purpose of assisting potential Danish applicants. Among other things, an early warning system will be established to help potential Danish applicants find cooperation partners and prepare applications well in advance of deadlines.
The new bridgehead implies an expansion of the information and guidance activities carried out by the Ministry of Science via Eurocenter.
For further information, please contact Vibeke Hein Olsen, Head of Section, Danish Agency for Science, Technology and Innovation, phone: +45 35 44 63 61, e-mail .
Dr. Claus Christiansen, phone: +45 20 66 03 33, e-mail (after 8 September: phone: +32 22 13 41 63, e-mail ).
