The EPN Consulting Newsletter No. 106 | June 2019
The Editorial
Dear Colleague, 
Recently I was in my country house in North-West Italy and I needed to buy some food. In that village there is only one bus service in the morning and one in the afternoon. No service on Sundays or holidays. For this reason I need (and own) a car that has to be always efficient to give me the opportunity to move from the house. That's why... Read more
The European Rail Facilities Portal is online
This Portal, the successor of the well-known “Railfreightlocations” portal, is part of the continuous effort of the Commission to boost the rail sector by opening transport markets and incentivising competition. The Portal contributes to the creation a level playing field, as it allows for an easy and quick access to information about rail facilities and rail-related services. Read more
EU
EU Budget 2020: the Commission focuses its proposal on jobs, growth and security
The Commission has today proposed an EU budget of €168.3 billion for 2020 for a more competitive European economy, and for solidarity and security in the EU and beyond.
This budget is the seventh and last one under the current 2014-2020 long-term EU budget and operates within the limitations set therein. It is designed to optimise funding for existing programmes as well as...  Read more
EU
Horizon 2020 EIC Fast Track to Innovation and SME Instrument Phase 2 proposals submitted
The EC received 261 proposals for the Fast Track to Innovation (FTI) scheme before the latest cut-off date on 25 May 2019. Proposals include participants from 28 countries, the largest number of proposals being submitted by Spanish, Italian and Dutch applicants. Results are expected by the end of Summer 2019.  Read more

The EC received 2,025 proposals for the SMEI Phase 2 before the last cut-off date of the SME Instrument in this form on 05 June 2019. SMEs from 40 countries submitted proposals. Companies that pass the initial selection stage will be invited to Brussels, to pitch in front of a Jury of Investors and business experts during the week of 8-12 July 2019. Read more
EU
The EIC Accelerator offers new blend of grants and equity
The SME Instrument (formerly known as SMEI Phase 2) becomes the EIC Accelerator, offering optional equity investment in addition to a grant. Innovative companies can apply for a grant of up to €17.5 million in combined grant (up to €2.5 million) and equity financing to scale-up quickly and effectively. Read more
N.B. The SME Instrument Phase 1 will be discontinued after the last available cut-off date of 05 Sept 2019.
Finland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU
The priorities for Finland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union (from 01 July to 31 Dec 2019) are 1) to strengthen common values and the rule of law, 2) to make the EU more competitive and socially inclusive, 3) to strengthen the EU’s position as a global leader in climate action and 4) to protect the security of citizens comprehensively.
Finland’s Presidency Programme was published on 26 June. Read more
The Website of the Month: The Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS)
The Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) provides consistent and quality-controlled information related to air pollution and health, solar energy, greenhouse gases and climate forcing, everywhere in the world.

CAMS is one of six services that form Copernicus, the European Union's Earth observation programme which looks at our planet and its environment for the ultimate benefit of all European citizens. Copernicus offers information services based on satellite Earth observation, in situ (non-satellite) data and modelling.

Upcoming Professional Events - find many more in our Events Section
22 Aug 2019 – Deadline to submit proposals to the H2020 [SU-DS03-2019-2020] call (IA – Digital Security and privacy for citizens and Small and Medium Enterprises and Micro Enterprises)

22 Aug 2019 – Deadline to submit proposals to the H2020 [SU-DS05-2018-2019] call (RIA – Digital security, privacy, data protection and accountability in critical sectors)

27 Aug 2019 – Deadline to submit proposals to the H2020 [LC-SC3-CC-3-2019] call (CSA – Support for the opening of low-carbon energy research databases in Europe)

27 Aug 2019 – Deadline to submit proposals to the H2020 [LC-SC3-JA-2-2018-2019] call (CSA – Support to the realisation of the Implementation Plans of the SET Plan)

27 Aug 2019 – Deadline to submit proposals to the H2020 [LC-SC3-JA-3-2019] call (PCP – European Pre-Commercial Procurement Programme for Wave Energy Research & Development)

27 Aug 2019 – Deadline to submit proposals to the H2020 [LC-SC3-ES-9-2019] call ( ERA-NET Co-Fund Enhanced cooperation in Digitalisation of Energy Systems and Networks)
Events
01-03 July 2019 – Berlin (DE) – AUTONOMOUS MACHINES WORLD 2019

02 July 2019 – London (UK) – TheEconomist Event: CLIMATE RISK SUMMIT

03-06 July 2019 – Athens (GR) – IC-EpsMsO 2019 – 8th International Conference on Experiments / Process / System Modeling / Simulation / Optimization

07-10 July 2019 – Glasgow (UK) – FLEPS 2019 – 1st IEEE International Conference on Flexible and Printable Sensors and Systems

08-10 July 2019 – Cambridge (UK) – ICSIC 2019 – International Conference on Smart Infrastructure and Construction

11 July 2019 – London (UK) – SMARTER POWER GRID Forum

14-17 July 2019 – Liverpool (UK) – ICTIS 2019 – 5th International Conference on Transport Information and Safety

24-26 July 2019 – Lausanne (CH) – ISTTT23 – 23rd International Symposium on Transportation and Traffic Theory
EPN CONSULTING
Based in London. Engaged with Europe