Competition among companies for contracts to develop large European research infrastructures is fierce, but now it will be easier for Danish companies to gain a stake in the profitable contracts. The newly created Big Science Secretariat (BSS) is a project aiming to increase company involvement in large European research infrastructures. The project secretariat will be located at Risø DTU.
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Expected dates for regional roadshows:
08/02/11
Odense
09/02/11
Sjælland
08/03/11
Herning
09/03/11
Sønderborg
15/03/11
Aalborg
16/03/11
Århus
The national event is planned for late April 2011.
You can read more about the Big Science Secretariat here: www.bigscience.dk
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Risø DTU and the Danish Technological Institute are the main partners in the project, and together with Force Technology they have obtained funding from the Danish Council for Technology and Innovation to establish the Big Science Secretariat (BSS).
“As things stand today, Denmark invests a significant portion of its research funding in Danish membership in several major international projects, such as the ITER fusion project and the large European Spallation Source (ESS), without making a coordinated effort across the projects to channel the funding back to Denmark. We need to increase the commercial opportunities for Danish companies by participating in the development of Big Science projects. This would bring a greater share of the invested funding back to Denmark, where it can help boost Danish competencies and create jobs,” explains Henrik Bindslev, Director of Risø DTU.
Companies need to view themselves as potential suppliers
In addition to the obvious advantages of bringing capital and jobs back to Denmark, another important factor is to develop key competencies and networks within Danish companies. These skills will help prepare Denmark for the international competition for future contracts, also within completely different sectors, says project initiator and Senior Scientist Søren Bang Korsholm from Risø DTU, and he adds:
“The largest immediate change for the BSS project is that companies simply do not see themselves as potentially being involved in the development of large European research infrastructures. So our job will be to open their eyes to the commercial perspectives of bringing their competencies into play in relation to the projects.”
The next steps will be to ensure that the interests and competencies of the companies comply with the requirements set out in the Big Science projects tendered. And the companies must be put into contact with the right specialists and have their specific competencies upgraded to match the requirements. This may be achieved through minor inspirational BSS projects, and funding has already been earmarked to cover part of the pay for researchers and experts from the participating institutions.
Awareness initiative
Juliette Forneris, special consultant, is responsible for the BSS Secretariat, which is the main point of contact for the companies. The first step of the BSS awareness initiative is the launch of www.bigscience.dk, where companies can read more about Big Science facilities and call for tenders.
“The plan is to kick off the second step of the initiative in the beginning of the New Year by organizing information roadshows, which will be held throughout the regions to reach as many companies as possible. These awareness activities will culminate in a large nationwide event where representatives from several Big Science projects will present the commercial opportunities for Danish companies,” says Juliette Forneris.
Contact
Juliette Forneris, Special Consultant, Big Science Secretariat, mobile +45 3026 8988
Søren Bang Korsholm, Senior Scientist, mobile +45 2064 5561 |