Before getting to the October ‘collaboration’ event, here’s a brief overview of the European Union’s (EU) science funding programme. Once called a ‘framework’, they were designed to function in seven year increments with the last one bearing that name, the Seventh Framework, ending in 2013. It was succeeded by Horizon 2020 and, then, succeeded by Horizon Europe, which is due to wind down in 2027. You can read more about the programmes in the Horizon Europe Wikipedia entry where you’ll discover that the funding programme extended partnership status to Canada in January 2024. which is now one of the EU’s 27 partner countries
Horizon Europe and the University of Waterloo
I got a notice about this free September 10, 2025 event in Waterloo, Ontario courtesy of my August 23, 2025 Google alert. From the University of Waterloo’s Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology (WIN) ‘Workshop on Strengthening Research Collaboration through Horizon Europe‘ event page,
The Office of Research and the Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology (WIN) are pleased to co-host a distinguished delegation from the Czech Republic, presenting a workshop event on Strengthening Research Collaboration through Horizon Europe. The delegation includes representatives from three of the top-ranked universities in the Czech Republic: Charles University, Brno University of Technology, and the University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague.
This event will take place on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, in QNC 1501. After the workshop, a networking lunch will be hosted from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM.
All WIN members and the broader research community are invited to attend the workshop.
About the event:
Objectives:
Strengthening Research Collaboration through Horizon Europe: To explore and establish research cooperation under the Horizon Europe programme.
Focus:
The event focused primarily on Horizon Europe cooperation. Participants will contribute concrete topics for Horizon and R&D collaboration, which will be disseminated to encourage future partnerships.
The participants’ expertise spans two main domains:
Engineering: advanced materials, manufacturing, and automation
Life Sciences: digital health solutions, transformational health technologies, health economics, and biotechnologies
Czech Republic Delegation
(To be updated)
Name
Affliation
Eva Libs Bartonova
Head of Trade and Investment Section in Toronto
Jana Bartosova
Director of Center of Biomedical Technologies Transfer, University Hospital Hradec Králové
Josef Cernohorsky
Institute of Mechatronics and Computer Engineering, Technical University of Liberec
Richard Cimler
Head of Centre for Advanced Technologies, University of Hradec Kralove
Jaroslav Demel
Faculty of Economics, Technical University of Liberec
Rudolf Frycek
CEO, Amires
Jana Kolomaznikova
Research Process Manager, Central Bohemian Innovation Centre
Vladimir Krylov
Dean, Faculty of Natural Science, Charles University
Kamil Kuca
Biotech Specialist, Betthera
HE [His Excellency] Radek Machů
Consul General of the Czech Republic in Toronto
Ondřej Mos
CEO, The University Company TUL s.r.o.
Roman Parak
Senior Research Scientist & Research Project Leader, Intemac
Lukas Peter
Vice-Dean for Cooperation with Industry, Faculty of Material Science, VŠB – Technical University of Ostrava
Martina Plisová
Head of Tech Transfer, Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences
Iveta Simberova
Vice-Rector, Brno University of Technology
Prague [sic] Viola Tokárová
Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Chemistry and Technology [Prague]
Jan Valtera
Vice-Dean, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Liberec
Waterloo Organizing Committee
Name
Affiliation
Scott Inwood
Director of Commercialization, University of Waterloo
Ashley Hannon
Associate Director, Corporate Research Partnerships, Office of Research, University of Waterloo
Susan Kaai
Senior Manager, International Research, Funding Agencies and Non-Profit Sponsors, University of Waterloo
Maria Suarez
Market Development Manager – Food Processing and Advanced Manufacturing, Waterloo Economic Development Corporation (EDC)
Ishari Waduwara-Jayabahu
International Relations Officer, Waterloo International, University of Waterloo
Dennis Wong
Business Development Manager, Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo
The agenda will be finalized and updated later.
Registration
Act Now and send an email to WIN, dennis.wong@uwaterloo.ca and Office of Research, skaai@uwaterloo.ca, identifying which institutions and calls you are interested to connect with. It is possible to also propose any other consortia that you are interested in.
Thank you!
…
I don’t often come across information about the Czech Republic’s science efforts. It’s always good to learn more.
Canadian Science Policy Centre (CSPC) and a Science Diplomacy Symposium (European Union – Canada Scientific Collaboration in Horizon)
An August 21, 2025 Canadian Science Policy Centre (CSPC) newsletter (received via email) announced a science diplomacy symposium being held in October 2025,
Upcoming Symposium: European Union – Canada Scientific Collaboration
CSPC and the Delegation of the European Union to Canada present the Science Diplomacy Symposium: European Union–Canada Scientific Collaboration in Horizon on October 3, 2025 in downtown Toronto. This in-person event will spotlight transatlantic research and innovation, exploring shared priorities, youth engagement, and global scientific leadership. Stay tuned for program and speaker announcements! Registration to this event is free but required as space is limited.
The Canadian Science Policy Centre (CSPC) is pleased to announce its partnership with the European Union, through its Delegation to Canada, for the upcoming Science Diplomacy Symposium: European Union- Canada Scientific Collaboration in Horizon.
This flagship event will highlight the European Union- Canada scientific cooperation, with a particular focus on Horizon Europe, the European Union’s largest research and innovation program. It will bring together European and Canadian leaders in research, innovation, and policy to explore the future of transatlantic scientific collaboration, spotlighting Horizon Europe as a powerful tool for advancing shared priorities between the European Union and Canada.
The event will feature three high-level panels:
Advancing European Union-Canada Research and Innovation: Focus on Horizon Europe
Building Global Scientific Leadership: Youth Engagement through Horizon Europe
The Future of Scientific Collaboration between the European Union and Canada
Additional details on the program and speakers will be announced soon, so stay tuned!
For more information or questions related to this event, please email: info@sciencepolicy.ca
Science Diplomacy Symposium:
European Union – Canada Scientific Collaboration in Horizon
October 3, 2025 | Faculty Club, University of Toronto | 8:00 AM – 12:15 PM
*Registration to this event is free but required as space is limited.
As you see, there aren’t too many details. Hopefully there will be some announcement about the speakers soon.
It does appear to be an in person event only.
Background on the CSPC, science diplomacy, and Canada’s outreach
Much to my surprise, the CSPC has been organizing science diplomacy events for several years. How did I miss seeing them? (’nuff said) I have been able to fill in a few blanks with an undated document I stumbled across, ‘2nd National Symposium on “Science Diplomacy,” organized by CSPC’ found here: https://na.eventscloud.com/file_uploads/cb7066ca2c5ff2a3d9fd3786706c7b6a_2ndNationalSymposiumonScienceDiplomacyorganizedbyCSPC.pdf, from the final paragraph, Note: Three of the links failed to function and, so, were removed,
CSPC has been the leading Canadian institution in promoting dialogue and capacity building in science diplomacy among other science policy topics. CSPC held the first Science Diplomacy Session with Dr. Nina Federoff, former Science and technology adviser to US Secretary of State in 2010. In 2013, CSPC held the first of its kind national symposium on science diplomacy [link failed to function]. Similarly, in 2015, CSPC organized an invigorating symposium on diaspora scientists [link failed to function] highlighting Canada’s diverse scientific community and their natural disposition for promoting international collaboration and in strengthening Canada’s global position in scientific excellence. More recently, in June of this year, CSPC hosted a breakfast session at the Parliament Hill [ink failed to function] where Dr. Vaughan Turekian, Science Adviser to US Secretary of State, John Kerry, highlighted the importance of “Science Diplomacy in the 21st Century
Moving on to 2025, here’s some background on strengthening ties with Europe from a June 23, 2025 news release from the Prime Minister’s Office,
Today, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, announced an historic step forward for Canada’s relationship with the European Union (EU). Together with President Costa and President von der Leyen, the Prime Minister announced they will forge a new, ambitious, and comprehensive partnership. The New EU-Canada Strategic Partnership of the Future is rooted in shared values and the rules-based international system, and strategically aimed to pursue common interests.
Canada and the EU will soon launch comprehensive negotiations across multiple areas to strengthen co-operation and connection – including trade and economic security, the digital transition, and the fight against climate change and environmental degradation. This will create more economic opportunities and long-term prosperity for workers, businesses, and citizens in both Canada and the EU.
As part of this new, strengthened relationship, Canada and the EU today signed the Security and Defence Partnership, which provides a framework for dialogue and co-operation in security and defence priorities. For Canada and the EU Member States who are NATO Allies, this will also help deliver on capability targets more quickly and economically. This new partnership is the intentional first step toward Canada’s participation in Security Action for Europe (SAFE), an instrument of the ReArm Europe Plan/Readiness 2030. Canada’s participation in this initiative will create significant defence procurement and industrial opportunities for Canada.
In an increasingly dangerous and divided world, Canada’s new government is focused on strengthening and diversifying our international partnerships. We will work with the EU and other allies to build a new international, rules-based system for a more secure and prosperous world.
Jessica Mundie’s June 25, 2025 article for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) news online specifies that Canada is not looking to be a member of the EU, Note: A link has been removed,
Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada is “looking for a closer partnership” with the European Union — but not to become a member.
While speaking from the NATO summit in the Netherlands — where he announced Canada’s promise to spend five per cent of gross domestic product on defence by 2035 — Carney was asked whether he has given any thought to trying to join the bloc of European nations.
“The short answer is no,” he said. “That’s not the intent. That’s not the pathway we’re on.”
…
Certainly, there’s an interest in scientific collaboration as evidenced by this Horizon Europe webpage (modified on June 23, 2025) on the Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) website. Note: A link has been removed,
Horizon Europe is the world’s largest research and innovation funding program. It gives Canadians access to even more opportunities to elevate their research and innovations through global partnerships.
Funding is available to all types of organizations, including researchers, universities, small- and medium-sized enterprises, non-profit organizations, institutions and more.
With different pillars of funding for individual researchers or collaborative projects, Horizon Europe supports the world’s greatest scientific and innovative breakthroughs in research and development (R&D) and industrial competitiveness.
Pillar 2 includes six thematic clusters, each tackling specific themes to address societal issues and strengthening Europe’s industrial competitiveness.
…
While Canada was added as a partner to the Horizon Europe list in 2024, it seems active interest is increasing, On a related note, there are two upcoming episodes CSPC’s SciPol Digest podcast,
Episode 5
The Future of the Scientific International Cooperation in a Geopolitical Shift
In this episode, we will explore how global tensions and shifting alliances are reshaping international scientific collaboration, with insights from experts in science, policy, and diplomacy.
Coming Soon!
Episode 6
US and Canada scientific collaboration in 2025
This episode will examine the current landscape of research collaboration between Canada and the U.S., exploring how political shifts may impact joint initiatives, funding, and researcher mobility in 2025.
Coming Soon!
Whether we like it or not, we live in interesting times.
A September 30, 2021 news item on Nanowerk a new material for treating skin infections (Note: A link has been removed),
Researchers at the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the CAS (IOCB Prague) and the Technical University of Liberec in collaboration with researchers from the Institute of Microbiology of the CAS, the Department of Burns Medicine of the Third Faculty of Medicine at Charles University (Czech Republic), and P. J. Šafárik University in Košice (Slovakia) have developed a novel antibacterial material combining nonwoven nanotextile and unique compounds with antibacterial properties (Scientific Reports, “Novel lipophosphonoxin-loaded polycaprolactone electrospun nanofiber dressing reduces Staphylococcus aureus induced wound infection in mice”).
Because the number of bacterial strains resistant to common antibiotics is steadily increasing, there is a growing need for new substances with antibacterial properties. A very promising class of substances are the so-called lipophosphonoxins (LPPO) developed by the team of Dominik Rejman of IOCB Prague in collaboration with Libor Krásný of the Institute of Microbiology of the CAS.
“Lipophosphonoxins hold considerable promise as a new generation of antibiotics. They don’t have to penetrate the bacteria but instead act on the surface, where they disrupt the bacterial cell membrane. That makes them very efficient at destroying bacteria,” says Rejman.
“A big advantage of LPPO is the limited ability of bacteria to develop resistance to them. In an experiment lasting several weeks, we failed to find a bacteria resistant to these substances, while resistance to well-known antibiotics developed relatively easily,” explains Krásný.
The potential of LPPO is especially evident in situations requiring immediate targeted intervention, such as skin infections. Here, however, the substances must be combined with a suitable material that ensures their topical efficacy without the need to enter the circulatory system. This reduces the burden to the body and facilitates use.
One such suitable material is a polymer nanofiber developed by the team of David Lukáš of the Faculty of Science, Humanities and Education at the Technical University of Liberec. The researchers combined it with LPPO to prepare a new type of dressing material for bacteria-infected skin wounds. The material’s main benefit is that the antibacterial LPPO are released from it gradually and in relation to the presence and extent of infection.
“The research and development of the material NANO-LPPO is a continuation of the work carried out in a clinical trial on the NANOTARDIS medical device, which we recently successfully completed in collaboration with Regional Hospital Liberec, University Hospital Královské Vinohrady, and Bulovka University Hospital. With its morphological and physical-chemical properties, the device promotes the healing of clean acute wounds,” says Lukáš. “This collaboration with colleagues from IOCB Prague is really advancing the possibilities for use of functionalized nanofiber materials in the areas of chronic and infected wounds.”
“Enzymes decompose the nanomaterial into harmless molecules. The LPPO are an integral component of the material and are primarily released from it during this decomposition. Moreover, the process is greatly accelerated by the presence of bacteria, which produce lytic enzymes. This means that the more bacteria there are in the wound, the faster the material decomposes, which in turn releases more of the active substances into the affected site to promote healing and regeneration of soft tissues,” says Rejman in describing the action of the material.
“Our experiments on mice confirmed the ability of NANO-LPPO to prevent infection in the wound and thus accelerate healing and regeneration. There was practically no spread of infection where we used the material. If clinical trials go well, this could be a breakthrough in the treatment of burns and other serious injuries where infection poses an acute threat and complication to treatment,” explains wound care specialist Peter Gál of the Department of Burns Medicine at Charles University’s Third Faculty of Medicine, the Faculty of Medicine at P. J. Šafárik University in Košice, and the East Slovak Institute for Cardiovascular Diseases.
In terms of applications, NANO-LPPO is an interesting material for manufacturers of medicinal products and medical devices. Its commercialization is being coordinated through a collaborative effort between IOCB TECH, a subsidiary of IOCB Prague, and Charles University Innovations Prague, a subsidiary of Charles University, both of which were created for the purpose of transferring results of academic research to practice. The companies are currently seeking a suitable commercial partner.
Here’s a link to and a citation for the paper,
Novel lipophosphonoxin-loaded polycaprolactone electrospun nanofiber dressing reduces Staphylococcus aureus induced wound infection in mice by Duy Dinh Do Pham, Věra Jenčová, Miriam Kaňuchová, Jan Bayram, Ivana Grossová, Hubert Šuca, Lukáš Urban, Kristýna Havlíčková, Vít Novotný, Petr Mikeš, Viktor Mojr, Nikifor Asatiani, Eva Kuželová Košťáková, Martina Maixnerová, Alena Vlková, Dragana Vítovská, Hana Šanderová, Alexandr Nemec, Libor Krásný, Robert Zajíček, David Lukáš, Dominik Rejman & Peter Gál. Scientific Reports volume 11, Article number: 17688 (2021) DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-96980-7 Published: 03 September 2021
There’s a Sept. 27, 2013 news item about the Czech Republic’s latest technology mission to China on the Nanowerk website,
This week [Sept. 23 – 27, 2013], the representatives of Czech nanotechnology firms, two famous technical universities and CzechInvest took part in a technology mission to China, where they met Chinese counterparts and discussed the further strengthening of cooperation in the field of nanotechnology. This technology mission to China, together with activities of some Czech nanotechnology companies, which have also been extensively supported by the Czech embassy in Beijing in recent months, has brought new opportunities for investment and the further collaboration of highly innovative technologies originated in the Czech Republic.
“The Czech Republic is a world leader in the field of nanotechnology, which has an impact on numerous industrial sectors and places major demands on research. Czech nanotechnology firms are highly respected on the Chinese market,” says Marian Piecha, CEO of CzechInvest.
Representatives of CzechInvest, the Technical University of Liberec, Brno University of Technology and the Czech nanotechnology firms NAFIGATE Corporation, Elmarco, ACT Nami and Noen are taking part in CHINanoForum 2013, which is being held from 24 to 27 September in Jiangsu province. Within the forum’s accompanying programme, CzechInvest and NAFIGATE Corporation conducted a seminar title Nanosolutions for Green Economy – Investment Opportunity in China on 24 September. On 27 September the Czech delegates and their Chinese counterparts will be at the Czech embassy in Beijing to discuss the topic of using nanotechnologies in water treatment, among other things.
“China offers tremendous space for introducing new high-tech products to the market,” says Ladislav Mareš, chairman of the board of directors of NAFIGATE Corporation. “This technology mission therefore has major significance for supporting Czech exports to the Chinese market. Presentation of the potential of Czech nanotechnologies is also a signal for Chinese investors.”
According to the news release, a memorandum of understanding will be signed,
Technological cooperation between the two countries will also be supported by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic and the Suzhou Industrial Park Administrative Committee. The signing of the memorandum, which will facilitate cooperation between Czech and Chinese firms with a high technological profile, will be attended by representatives of CzechInvest and His Excellency Libor Sečka, the Czech ambassador in China.
Earlier this years, in June 2013, Nafigate signed a letter of intent with its Chinese partner, Guodian Technology & Environment Group Corporation Limited, regarding the development of a green nanotechnology centre. From a June 21, 2013 news release on PR newswire,
In the last few days, Czech nanotechnology pioneers have been presenting possible ways of utilizing Czech nanotechnology with specific examples taken from the Clean Air Nanosolution and Clean Water Nanosolution projects to representatives of the most significant Chinese companies at the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Beijing. “There is a lot of interest in the new technology because it solves fundamental problems in air and water cleaning. At the same time the Czech Republic is the world leader in the field of nanofibers and has much to offer China, from cooperation in research and development to putting specific innovative approaches into practice. Cooperation in this field could become an important new branch of mutual trade and scientific and technological exchanges and bring qualitative changes in the life of Chinese society,” said H. E. Mr. Libor Secka, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to the People’s Republic of China.
The signing of the Letter of Intent between NAFIGATE China (a subsidiary of the Czech company NAFIGATE Corporation JSC) and their Chinese partner Guodian Technology & Environment Group Corporation Limited (a subsidiary of one of the most prominent Chinese energy companies) is a significant milestone in Czech-Chinese cooperation in nanotechnology sector. Since January 2013 both companies have been preparing the foundation of the NANODEC (Nanofiber Development Center) project for the development of final applications for water and air cleaning.
The establishment of the center will be a major breakthrough with a global impact in the field of nanofiber applications. The aim of this initiative is to build a center of excellence which will utilize the best available worldwide know-how, the technological and infrastructural potential of one of the most significant Chinese companies and the potential of the market for new low carbon and green technologies. The Letter of Intent specifies the steps required to open the center according to the schedule in the last quarter of 2013.
For those interested in the overall nanotechnology scene in the Czech Republic, I found a 2012 article in the New York Times and a paper (2009?) written for the National Information Centre For European Research (NICER) and located on the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development.
Here’s some of what Jacy Meyer wrote for the New York Times in a May 22, 2012 article,
Industries based on nanotechnology are a rapidly growing niche in the economy of the Czech Republic, which, although small, is widely respected for its technical prowess. In February, the country had its own pavilion at the International Nanotechnology Trade Fair, Nanotech 2012, in Tokyo. Ten Czech companies took part.
One was Advanced Materials-JTJ, which produces photocatalytic coating materials incorporating titanium dioxide nanoparticles, known as FN coatings. The semi-transparent, odorless coatings have the unusual property of purifying the air around them — removing viruses, bacteria, toxins, cigarette smoke and more through a light-activated catalytic process.
…
Over the course of a year, “one square meter of FN-painted facade will clean and decontaminate over three million cubic meters of air,” or 106 million cubic feet, removing several kilograms of pollution, Mr. Prochazka [Jan Prochazka, Advanced Materials-JTJ’s chief executive] said.
As well as cleaning the air, the coating protects the painted surfaces from mold, fungus and the slow accumulation of dirt deposits that cause erosion and discoloring, he said.
The process, activated by ultraviolet light — that is, sunshine — is both environmentally friendly and cost-effective.
“For many people nano is a question mark, but really, everything is nano, except for gravel, sand and a few other materials,” Mr. Prochazka said in an interview in Prague. “Take a cup of water; you can’t imagine how many nanoparticles are inside.”
