European Union opens up new horizon for Bangladeshi researchers

The European Union has opened up a new avenue for the resource-starved Bangladeshi researchers and innovators for carrying out cross-border collaborative research.

Under its new global ‘Horizon 2020’ initiative, Bangladeshis can submit proposals for the research and innovation that can change the life of the people for the better.
 
To let stakeholders know about this funding opportunity, the EU delegation in Dhaka jointly with the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) organised a seminar on Wednesday.
 
Prime Minister’s International Affairs Adviser Gowher Rizvi said the initiative would provide “a tremendous opportunity” for Bangladeshis to work closely with the best institutions in the world.
 
He hoped Bangladeshi scientists and academics would be able to gain practical benefit from this window of research and innovation.

‘Horizon 2020’ is the biggest EU Research and Innovation programme with nearly €80 billion of funding available over seven years, 2014 to 2020.
 

EU Regional Counsellor for Research and Innovation Denis Dambois presented details of the programme.

Representatives of research organisations, government, local and foreign business bodies, including members of the EU Business Council Bangladesh, international organisations, and media were present.

The programme calls for proposals on almost all types of issues from climate change to health hazards, but the focus must be on action-oriented results.

“This programme is based on the assumption that research and innovation can change the life of the people for the better,” said EU Head of Delegation in Dhaka Ambassador Pierre Mayaudon.

The motto of the ‘Horizon 2020’ is “from the lab to the market”.

The ambassador explained that this initiative was not for scientific research within the walls of a single laboratory.

It aimed to draw different countries and field expertise together to jointly conduct “a delivery driven project”, he added.

All proposals must be submitted by a “properly” established consortium, as mentioned on the EU website, which will be evaluated by a panel of independent specialists.

The European Commission will draw up a grant agreement with each participant once they are finalised through a rigorous process.

Ambassador Mayaudon said the ‘Horizon 2020’ would also take EU-Bangladesh relations to “new highs”.

“Horizon 2020 is certainly competitive but it is not only for the elite. It has to be driven by highly professional experts, that's for sure, but its prime goal is to serve the people,” he explained.

He said in keeping with the EU’s development cooperation and trade relations, the research and innovation engagement would serve “a unique purpose”.

It aimed to contribute “to poverty alleviation and social inclusiveness by promoting a robust and sustainable economic growth”.

According to the ambassador, it has also the capacity to support Bangladesh in the “concretisation of some of its most strategic visions” such as Digital Bangladesh and Blue Economy.

He said ‘Horizon 2020’ could also build a “bridge” in research and innovation between the European Union, its member states, and Bangladesh.

“All can find in Horizon 2020 opportunities for collaborative projects that will bring together teams based in Europe and in Bangladesh,” he said.

The EU organised a similar awareness-raising seminar on this new initiative at Chittagong on Tuesday.