The need for fully integrated cryogenic instruments 1) measuring physical quantities with ultimate sensitivity, up to the quantum limit; 2) processing the data at high clock speed up to several tens of GHz and; 3) delivering pre-processed data at high throughputs of several Gbits/second per channel to off-the-shelf equipment is felt in several domains: for the quest of knowledge associated to big science, like astrophysics or particle physics, for the development of quantum cryptographic front-ends to secure data and interfacing quantum bit systems, for processing digital signals on microwave frequency carriers, for imaging the brain or heart for medicine, as just a few examples. Often each task is achieved separately in a customized way for niche applications. This is an obstacle to the dissemination of instruments that are necessary, for example, for future imagers with very high performances. Besides, dedicated solutions do not enable incremental progress towards systems that can be easily re-used for other applications. Here we propose a novel interdisciplinary path with breakthrough technological solutions based on superconducting devices to provide end-users from different domains with an enabling cryogenic digital platform. This solution embeds nanoscale energy efficient superconducting digital processing circuits and sensors with superconducting high throughput amplifiers. To our knowledge this has never been done so far. To validate the proof-of-concept and enable faster future transfer of technology four companies are involved in the development and integration of technological modules and to prepare future exploitation. At the basic science level, this approach may allow developing at a larger scale nanoscale superconducting devices for further high-density integration of complex imagers and digital processing systems for future metrological, telecommunication, supercomputing and quantum computer applications. To achieve these objectives we decided, with a consortium based on 14 partners to apply to the FET-OPEN call. Our project submitted in January 2017 passed all thresholds but did not get funding given its global mark in a very competitve call with success rate of about 7%. We have an encouraging Evaluation Summary Report and we can improve our proposal to submit it again for the upcoming FET-OPEN call of May 2018. To achieve that objective we need to meet and discuss in more details our scientific and technological plans, the organisation of the work to upgrade our proposal and its FET-OPEN application document. We also need external advice regarding the planned activities and the polishing of the document of the H2020 application with some company specialized in that activity. Consequently the MRSEI call of the ANR is the adequate call to upgrade our proposal and reinforce the planned activities in the European framework.

The goal of the ScenNet project is to strengthen national and international ties between researchers working on scenarios of biodiversity and ecosystem services. The project involves researchers from a wide range of disciplines covering all aspects of scenarios including modeling of impacts of global change on biodiversity and ecosystem services, scenarios of socio-economic development that take into account biodiversity and ecosystem services, and feedbacks of changes in biodiversity and ecosystem services on decision making. At the global level, this project will support the newly initiated Intergovernmental Platform for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) and reinforce the recently launched interdisciplinary global change program, Future Earth. Strong ties and coherence with these are ensured through significant participation of researchers involved in both IPBES and Future Earth. ScenNet focuses on networking and capacity building in all eight countries participating in the Belmont Forum call for proposals. Networking and capacity building in ScenNet is based on i) international workshops, ii) development of national networks, iii) a large international conference on biodiversity and ecosystem scenarios to be held in 2016 and vi) a web-based networking tool. The project also builds on and brings added value to a number of other research programs and networks at national and international levels. Substantial participation by nonfunding countries has been ensured by linking ScenNet to on-going international projects with similar objectives; for example, the EU-COST Action Harmbio project that focuses on harmonizing global biodiversity modeling and the Eur-oceans project that includes the harmonization of regional and global marine systems modeling.

The key aim of this project is to examine the role of evidence-informed science diplomacy as a strategic instrument to strengthen democracy, governance, and trust (DGT). The project will utilize qualitative and quantitative methods to (1) understand the relationship between science diplomacy and DGT; (2) conceptualize and operationalize metascience observatories and investigate the extent to which they can be leveraged to improve science diplomacy; and (3) explore how threats to DGT could be mitigated and opportunities seized through inclusive metascience observatories. We propose three work packages (WP) and several sub-packages to be conducted collaboratively across international partners based in seven countries (Brazil, Canada, France, Poland, South Africa, the UK, and the US). The diverse methodological expertise of the teams will allow for a broad variety of data gathering and analysis techniques, strengthening the results through triangulation. The outputs will include both academic-oriented products, as well as communications to policymakers and the wider public, honoring the practices of open science. In addition to these products, outcomes will include communities of practice for science diplomats and training opportunities for early-career researchers. Incorporation of DEI includes empirical questions focused on equity, ensuring diversity of the research team, and building sustainable models of inclusive metascience observatories that will have wide-ranging impact on science measurement. Sustainability will be a focal point of the project, to ensure that the network of inclusive metascience observatories leads to long-term benefits to society, transforming the relationship between science and society and ensuring equity in who produces and is able to access knowledge.

Agriculture is confronted with changing weather patterns. For farmers this implies higher risks related to crop growth and field work conditions. Adequate, timely and spatially differentiated measurements of soil moisture become more important for farmers to make decisions on if, when and how to irrigate. The project will focus on combatting water shortage at the farm scale and territory level by developing applicable service models for decision support in irrigation. Worldwide significant progress has been made to utilize precision irrigation as means to increase water use efficiency (more crop per drop) or decrease water foot print in irrigated agriculture. Overall this progress is restricted to application at field scale and integration precision irrigation in the planning of water resource use at territory scale is still a challenge. Point information, such as resulting from sensors, is still difficult to be transferred to a larger spatial unit. Remote sensing algorithms to estimate evapotranspiration are available but often not at sufficient resolution, and do not provide predictions on upcoming water use. More experience needs to be gained in combining technologies and scales: direct mapping of soil moisture as done with in-situ, air- or space borne radar, crop water stress mapping by thermal infrared sensors or derived from crop vigour and/or modelling of the crop/soil/atmosphere continuum. When adequately fused with terrestrial measurements these mapping tools offer decision support for agricultural water management. Up to now, acquiring data, analysis, fusion and modelling are yet merely scientific abstractions without a direct link to operational water management. OPERA aims to bring advances from remote sensing, soil moisture monitoring and forecasting rapidly towards implementation and commercialization. A series of case studies demanding precision irrigation, increased water use efficiency and resilience are used to research the practitioner needs, ways to increase the robustness of information supply, alternative cops, and concrete local barriers that had prevented the transfer of research results into the farmer and water manager practice. While water scarcity and the urgency to increase water use efficiency is the common nominator at all sites, the case studies will offer the access to different types of irrigation systems under different climatic conditions. In contrary to technological driven research projects, OPERA will apply a transdisciplinary approach to identify jointly (i) the user demands of farmers, farmer associations, extension services as well as water management organization, (ii) best possible combinations of information technologies and (iii) innovative service models to realize a practical transition towards an increased use of precision irrigation in practice. In this way the project contributes to optimal watering strategies and water saving, increase of agricultural productivity (tuning water supply to demand) and farm competitiveness in the agricultural market, and contributes to the creation of “green” job opportunities and economic growth for the EU and the associated international countries.