Following the success of the first call for projects in autumn 2022, the Ministry of the Economy, the Luxembourg National Research Fund (FNR) and Luxinnovation are launching a second joint call for projects to offer companies and research institutions a new funding opportunity to support consortia wishing to take advantage of high-performance computing (HPC) capabilities in their field of research.
This joint call for projects will take place in two phases. The first phase, which will take place between 15 September and 15 November 2023, will enable interested economic players to submit their projects directly (summary, planned research, timetable, budgets, etc.).
Following an evaluation process to be carried out by the partners in this call for projects, the shortlisted projects will be subject to a second submission phase, between 2 January and 28 February 2024. A more detailed description of their project will then be examined by a panel of external experts. The results will be announced in the summer of 2024, after which the project implementation can begin.
"High-Performance Computing is an innovation accelerator with enormous potential for companies of all sizes in a wide range of sectors," says the Minister of the Economy Franz Fayot. "It is a key driver of competitiveness for businesses and research, and it will be increasingly important in the future, given that the amount of data available doubles every two years."
The application process will be carried out via the www.research-industry-collaboration.lu platform set up in 2021 by Luxinnovation. The national innovation agency will be responsible for monitoring the ideas posted on the platform, mainly by connecting public and private partners interested in participating. "In Luxembourg, we have a solid digital infrastructure, of which the MeluXina supercomputer is a key component, as well as cutting-edge research skills, companies and start-ups capable of developing and offering innovative products and services. By making it easier for them to get in touch and collaborate, we will be activating a key lever for innovation," explains Sasha Baillie, CEO of Luxinnovation.
"We want to bring all the players in the ecosystem closer together to work on research and innovation projects that will enable them to accelerate their digital transformation, by integrating computer-aided engineering and design, as well as high-performance computing, into their in-house innovation process," explains Dr Andreea Monnat, Deputy CEO of the Luxembourg National Research Fund.
This joint call for projects will be accompanied by a dedicated portfolio of support schemes proposed by the Ministry of the Economy, which takes into account the different levels of expertise of private players in the use of computer-aided R&D. "The aim is to create a general awareness of the use of simulation and modelling tools and techniques in companies' R&D activities and to support a sustainable move towards an ecosystem facilitating the use of HPC," concludes Minister Fayot.
Press release by the Ministry of the Economy / Luxinnovation / Fonds national de la recherche (FNR)