Research Institute has its say on H2020 research programme

Deputy Director of the European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute, Dr Matt Smalley, has been instrumental in leading discussions at the inaugural meeting of Vision 2020's Health cluster that addressed the development of an oncology-focused position paper.

Dr Smalley attended the meeting hosted by KU Leuven in Belgium in September, where the aim of the event was to discuss and prepare position papers for three priority areas of the next set of Horizon 2020 Work Programmes: Infectious diseases, Oncology and Drug Discovery.

The resulting oncology-focused paper proposes calls under Horizon 2020 and has been circulated within the European Research and Innovation community and the European Commission. On his involvement with the Vision 2020 Health cluster Dr Smalley said; "It is so important that expertise is sought from all corners of the European Union to tackle the issues on the Horizon2020 agenda. Vision 2020 does just that. Together, we are driving forward with proposals that we think will be key for the next round of crucial research projects which will ultimately make a difference to those affected by the most prevalent health issues."

Cardiff University is a founder member of Vision 2020: The Horizon Network; this is a network of currently 36 research and technology organisation (RTO) members forming a select group of universities and research organisations that are highly active in European research and innovation actions. In addition, the network now has over 100 small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) members, with more joining all the time, who are seeking to enhance their involvement in Horizon 2020 by building collaborations with network RTO's. The network also has corporate and international partners, and specialists in bid writing, communications, marketing, and legal affairs.

Vision 2020 hosts communities of subject experts drawn from its member organisations that together collaborate in themed "clusters", each contributing advice towards Horizon 2020 Work Programmes and acting as a platform for building excellent project consortia.