MoldERA

On Novemebr 29, 2010 the European project MOLD-ERA (Preparation for Moldova's integration into the European Research Area and into the Community R&D Framework Programs on the basis of scientific excellence) was launched in Chisinau, Moldova, attended by 8 participants from 2 partner-countries. Two more partners from UK and Germany have joined the meeting via Skype.

MOLD-ERA project is a Coordination and Support Action and is financed by the 7th Framework Programme for Research and Development of the European Commission.This  is the first Framework Program project where Republic of Moldova is the Coordinator, represented by the Institute of Electronic Engineering and Nanotechnologies (IEEN).

The project aims to improve the level of training and equipment in the Nanotechnologies field in Moldova, which will lead to increased collaborations with EU institutions and improved career for young scientists in Moldova. The project will attract new investments and create new jobs, leading to a considerable increase in wealth for the Moldovan economy and society. It addresses the need for enhanced scientific and research co-operation between the Eastern Europe and the Southern Caucasus (EESC) countries and the EU, focusing on the International Co-operation theme of the FP7's Co-operation Programme.

MOLD-ERA activities will last 30 months and the project will contribute to establishment of new Nanotechnology infrastructure in IEEN, enabled by means of plasma etching system and multi-gas incubator bio-station to extend the research area towards nano-bio related fields. Theoretical and practical courses will be organised jointly with partners from Germany and the United Kingdon, in the fields of biocompatibility of electronic and photonic materials, transformation of bio-signals in electric signals and vice-versa, extra and intracellular bioelectric signaling, biotoxicity and related disciplines. Researchers and staff from IEEN, Academy of Sciences and other research institutions in Moldova will receive training in FP7, whilst strengthening MOLD-ERA’s network of regional, national and European contacts based on activities of mutual interest and new collaborative links.

The envisaged long-term impact is, on the one hand, to increase the participation of the Republic of Moldova in the opportunities for cooperative research, capacity building and researcher mobility, offered by the Seventh Framework Programme, to enhnace the capacity of research structures (human and material resources) with a focus on scientific excellence; on the orher hand, closer integration of Moldova into the European Research Area (demonstrated by a higher number of joint activities and projects).

MOLD-ERA project is carried out by three partners from the Republic of Moldova - Institute of Electronic Engineering and Nanotechnologies, Academy of Sciences of Moldova, Technical University of Moldova and three partners from two EU member countries and a non-European country - EFP Consulting LTD (Israel), University of Bristol (UK) and Hannover Medical School (Germany).