Edition 26
Welcome to the 26th edition of NESTA Innovation Digest (ID). NESTA ID is intended to provide fortnightly information and links on the latest news from the world of innovation policy and research and news of international issues and events.
We're sifting news and updates from dozens of websites and bulletins for each edition of ID. We're keen to know how we could improve this service, or perhaps you have suggestions for inclusion - please email digest@enews.nesta.org.uk
Regards,
Richard Halkett - Executive Director, NESTA Policy and Research Unit
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This issue
This week NESTA ID celebrates its first birthday, and we would like to thank all our readers for their kind feedback, comments and suggestions for inclusion. Our subscription has trebled over the year, ID is read by policymakers, academics, entrepreneurs, educationalists and innovators, so please continue to send in your thoughts and work.
In this edition, DIUS has opened a consultation seeking views on the supply and demand of science, technology, engineering and mathematics skills, and Ofsted has published a report evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of science in schools. NESTA and BRMB released a report exploring how advertising and marketing can be used to ‘sell’ low carbon-living. The EU has named Budapest as the home for the proposed European Institute of Innovation and Technology. Finally, Finland has announced proposals for a new national innovation strategy.
Policy
DIUS – Launch of Public Sector Research Exploitation Fund 23-06-08
£68m to support 33 projects in the initial stages of commercialising research before third party investment is secured.
Royal Society – Launch of innovation in service sectors study 23-06-08
Call for evidence to examine the role that science, technology, engineering and maths play in innovation in the UK's service sectors.
DIUS consultation - Call for evidence: Analysis on demand for STEM skills 24-06-08
Seeks views on a number of issues relating to the current and future demand and supply for STEM skills, as recommended in ‘Innovation Nation’. Closes 01-09-08.
Ofsted report - Success in Science 17-06-08
Evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of science in primary and secondary schools between 2004 and 2007. Argues that standards in science have not improved substantially in the last three years.
BERR consultation – UK Renewable Energy Strategy 26-06-08
Seeks views on how to drive up the use of renewable energy in the UK, to meet the EU target to source 20% of the energy from renewable sources by 2020. Closes 26-09-08, to be published spring 2009.
Launch of the Living with Environmental Change programme 18-06-08
£1bn partnership of 17 research and policy-making organisations to provide new ways and better evidence to address environmental change in the short-term and at regional level as well as the longer term global changes.
IUSS select committee report - Renewable electricity-generation technologies 19-06-08
Argues that the UK looks set to miss its own renewable energy targets, because the current framework for the development of renewable technologies is inadequate, over complex and lacking people with the necessary project delivery skills.
Renewables Advisory Board report - 2020 VISION: How the UK can meet its target of 15% renewable energy 18-06-08
Argues that the UK could generate 15% of its total energy from renewables by 2020. Recommendations include accelerating grid studies, streamlined consenting processes, early introduction of revised support mechanisms and strong political leadership.
DIUS – Rebuild of the Laboratory of Molecular Biology 24-06-08
£200m funding to rebuild the 40 year old building, replace it with an innovative research lab, expand its research portfolio into new areas such as neurobiology and increase commercialisation activities.
DIUS consultation – Time to Train 18-06-08
Proposals to give employees the right to request time to train. Part of the Leitch agenda to improve workforce skills. Closes 10 September 2008.
Conservative Party strategy – Delivering some of the best health in Europe 24-06-08
The Health Green Paper lays out plans for how a Conservative Government would reform and manage the NHS. A central theme is replacing Labour's targets and replacing them with outcome measures.
Innovation Exchange and NESTA – The Next Practice programme 25-06-08
Offers coaching and bespoke support to third sector innovators with promising ideas. Projects with the greatest potential to grow to scale are able to receive awards of up to £50,000 from the NESTA Innovation Exchange Fund.
IUSS select committee report - Science Budget Allocations: Government Response 17-06-08
The Government’s response to the Committee’s report from 30 April 2008.
Conservative Party survey – Helping SMEs 24-06-08
Mark Prisk MP, the Shadow Minister for Small Business, has launched an online survey to get the views of SMEs, on issues such as access to finance, business advice, grants and government contracts.
BT – Essence of the Entrepreneur competition 09-06-08
Will award 20 UK entrepreneurs who are driving their companies’ growth and performance through their innovative use of technology. Awards fall into 5 categories. The Outstanding Entrepreneur of the Year receives a £20,000 business grant. Closes 31-08-08
Yorkshire Forward – Launch of business grants for research and development 17-06-08
£43.5m will be made available to businesses across Yorkshire and Humber to help them develop innovative new products over the next six years. £18.5m will support regional SMEs and will provide up to 60% of a company’s R&D project costs.
MRC and A*STAR, Singapore - Joint $4.5m fund to tackle infectious disease 17-06-08
A S$6m joint collaborative research fund to develop new and innovative research, responses and actions to combat infectious diseases.
Scottish Government consultation – Adapting Our Ways: Managing Scotland's Climate Risk 24-06-08
The consultation is the first piece of work in building a new Climate Change Adaptation Framework for Scotland, closes 31-10-08. A second consultation will be launched in 2009.
Scottish Government - Enterprising Third Sector Action Plan 2008-2011 19-06-08
Action plan intended to create the environment in which an enterprising third sector can thrive.
Scottish Government – Launch of a Scottish Investment Fund 18-06-08
£30m fund intended to help enterprising Third Sector organisations become more effective and efficient, grow their turnover and improve their sustainability. Opens 01-09-08.
WAG – Launch of Informing Healthcare’s research laboratory, Swansea 19-06-08
Centre intended to find and trial innovative new ways of treating patients.
EU – Location of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology
At an intergovernmental conference, 27 European research ministers rubberstamped the decision to locate the headquarters of the EIT in the Hungarian capital of Budapest.
EU Council of Ministers – Agreement on the funding of the Eurostars programme 25-06-08
Will provide EUR100m to boost the research capacities of SMEs in 31 European countries. The fund is intended to leverage EUR300m in public funding from the participating countries.
Invest NI – Corporate Plan 2008-2011 24-06-08
Sets out plans to increase expenditure for new and locally owned businesses, to support Research, Development and Innovation schemes, and to assist NI attract FDI.
NESTA – Launch of the Innovation Index 07-07-08
NESTA’s proposed approach to developing an index to measure UK innovation in the round, as suggested in ‘Innovation Nation’. Speakers include Lord Currie, Chair of OFCOM and the Index Advisory Board and Ian Pearson MP, Minister for Science and Innovation.
Research
NESTA and BRMB report - Selling Sustainability: Seven lessons from advertising and marketing to sell low-carbon living 25-06-08
Examines how to bridge the gap between recognising the responsibility to act on climate change and taking action. Analyses insights from commercial and social advertising and marketing and makes 7 recommendations for public campaigns.
NHS Confederation report – Disruptive Innovation: What does it mean for the NHS?
Explores how innovation in service models, consumer behaviour and technology might disrupt or improve the way the NHS works and how organisations should respond to this. It also examines the ability of technology to empower people.
Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology note – International Migration of Scientists and Engineers 19-06-08
Examines global competition for scientists and engineers and the causes and impacts of their migration, focusing on the developing world and economic development.
Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation report - The globalisation of innovation: Pharmaceuticals. Can India and China cure the global pharmaceutical market? 11-06-08
Argues that India and China are becoming centres of pharmaceutical R&D. Cost pressures, the need to tap global talent, and growth opportunities in emerging markets have led Western companies to shift substantial manufacturing and clinical-trial work.
CBI/KPMG – London Business Survey 19-06-08
Biannual survey of London companies shows that six out of ten business leaders in London fear the city's competitiveness is under threat (double the number of a year ago), as a result of the global economic slowdown and problems of transport and skills.
National Business Awards report – Innovation: Evolution or Revolution? 12-06-08
Argues that companies need to invest more money in research and development in order to survive and succeed. Intended to support entrants to this year’s awards, which close on 31 July 2008.
Tekes and the Ministry of Employment and the Economy (Finland) report – Major challenges for the governance of national research and innovation policies in small European countries 06-06-08
In co-operation with nine other European countries examines the reasons for changes in science, technology and innovation policies and analyses factors that will shape the development and management of innovation policies in the future.
Events
Demos and CGEE report launch - Brazil: The natural knowledge-economy 08-07-08
Will explore Brazilian innovation capabilities, opportunities and the potential for collaboration. Speakers include: Andrew Cahn, CEO UKTI; H.E. Carlos Augusto R. Santos-Neves, Brazilian Ambassador to the UK; and Charles Leadbeater.
DCLG, Municipal Journal and Ipsos MORI - Empowerment in Action: Accountability – Consultation – Leadership 17-07-08
Will examine and follow up the detailed proposals in the Community Empowerment White Paper. Speakers include Rt Hon Hazel Blears MP, Sir Simon Milton, Michael Ward CEO BURA, Sir Steve Bullock, Lord Victor Adebowale and Ben Page Ipsos MORI.
The Work Foundation – Successful cities in a changing economy, Ideopolis Conference 2008, London 16-07-08
Will debate the future of British cities. Speakers include Rt Hon Hazel Blears MP; Will Hutton (CEO The Work Foundation); Andrew Lewis (The Northern Way); Geoff Mulgan (The Young Foundation) and Mike Crouch (Regional Cities East).
European Patent Office and Bocconi University – International seminar: growing business with IP - winning strategies in emerging markets, Italy 17 to 18-07-08
Technology transfer professionals, innovators and business leaders will discuss intellectual property issues faced when expanding into emerging markets in China, India and South America.
ESOF2008 – From Lab to Market: New ways to bridge the gap between industry and academia, Barcelona 18 to 22-07-08
A series of panel discussions, targeted at executives managing science and technology innovation within large corporations and medium businesses throughout Europe.
Community Matters and Development Trusts Association – Community Ownership of Assets: Creating Strong and Sustainable Communities, 2nd annual conference 10-07-08
Will report on progress of the Quirk Review to increase asset transfer to community groups, as well as discuss best practice for local authorities to understand the legal framework to take asset transfer forward.
NESTA Policy Breakfast - The Future of Europe’s Research and Innovation System 03-07-08
John Denham MP, Professor Luke Georghiou and Ian Pearson MP will debate the challenges and management of Europe’s research base, exploring reforms to make research more relevant to European economic and social issues, policy and regulation functions.
International
Tekes, Finland – Proposal for a national innovation strategy 12-06-08
Outlines plans for reforming Finland’s innovation policy. Issues include: international collaboration, increased involvement of users and customers in innovation processes, and a broader approach to creativity and innovation.
CEO Climate Policy Recommendations to G8 Leaders 20-06-08
Professor Klaus Schwab, Executive Chairman and Founder of the World Economic Forum presented (100) CEOs Climate Recommendations to G8 Leaders, with suggestions for the post-Kyoto Protocol architecture (expires 2012).
OECD - Seoul Declaration: proposed roadmap for the future of the Internet economy 18-06-08
OECD members commitment to work together to stimulate innovation, competition and investment in information and communications technology, and increase worldwide Internet access.
IBM - Launch of the Africa Innovation Centre 25-06-08
Intended to drive skills development in information technology and address business challenges in the economic growth of Sub-Saharan Africa.
Microsoft – Launch of Microsoft Innovation Centre, Taiwan 19-06-08
The Taiwan News reports that the centre aims to integrate local and overseas talent, technologies and resources to help Taiwanese industry upgrade its software engineering ability.
Philips Applied Technologies and VTT, Finland – Launch of InnoHub 17- 06-08
Agreement to establish an InnoHub centre, intended to assist Nordic and Baltic companies in making business out of innovative ideas in the fields of well-being, health care and life-style. It opens in autumn 2008 at the Well Life Center in Espoo.
Science|Business Innovation Board - Academic Enterprise Awards Europe 2008 10-07-08
The first pan-European awards programme to recognise academic entrepreneurs. Nominations for prizes in 7 categories, closes 02-12-08. Nominations have already been backed by representatives of 24 universities and institutes in Europe.