The Institute of Solid State Physics University of Latvia (ISSP) is the only scientific institution from Latvia that will be supported by the European Commission (EC) within the framework of "Horizon 2020 WIDESPREAD1-2014: Teaming" action. In the view of the relevant experts, CAMART² was the third best proposal out of 169 applications, receiving 14.5 out of the maximum 15 points.
As the coordinator of the project, ISSP will develop a new Regional Centre of Excellence in Material Science and Technology Transfer with the goal of increasing commercialization of science and innovation in Europe. The Centre will host open-access thematically oriented research laboratories that will be available for the purposes of science, industry and academia. KTH Royal Institute of Technology (Sweden) and the Swedish Acreo ICT (Sweden), which are involved in the realization of the project as partners, are internationally recognized leaders in the development and commercialization of innovation products.
During the first phase of the project, EC funding of EUR 497,500 will be used to develop a business plan for the Centre of Excellence. After the assessment of the business plan, the Commission will decide whether to provide further support for the developing Centre of Excellence. The allocated funding up to EUR 15 million for a period up to seven years will cover all the costs related to the development and maintenance of the Centre, while the costs of the necessary infrastructure (buildings, scientific equipment, etc.) are to be covered by the European Structural and Investment funds of Latvia.
