'Destination Europe' Event in Cambridge, MA, Promotes Transatlantic 'Brain Circulation'

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- An international group of scientists and technologists, representing a diverse group of disciplines, gathered last Friday in Cambridge, MA, to learn about the rich variety of opportunities for developing their careers in research and innovation in Europe. In total, about 200 people attended the "Destination Europe" event, the third in a series of meetings in the U.S. to showcase the vibrant research and innovation culture in Europe and the opportunities available to researchers from anywhere in the world.

Specific schemes for researcher mobility and international collaboration were presented by representatives from Austria, France, Germany and the Netherlands. European-wide programs were presented for the European Research Council (ERC) and the Marie Curie Actions, both of which offer European research grants available to scientists regardless of their nationality. The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) outlined start-up and incubation possibilities in areas like climate change. Practical advice and resources for making the move to Europe and for networking were highlighted by EURAXESS Links USA.

In explaining the huge range of possibilities available, eminent speakers such as Prof. Donald Dingwell, Secretary General of the ERC and Dr. Barbara Haering, co-chair of the European Research and Innovation Board, were joined by participants with direct experience of these programs. "I envy the level of research funding available in Austria, in comparison to the United States," said Prof. Martin Polz of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

In other testimonials presented at the meeting, Dr. Nathalie Kehrwald from Minnesota stated, "My work experience in Europe [Italy] prepared me to better address my research challenges," while Dr. Gary Stutte, a NASA scientist, provided a comment on his time at a technology institute in Ireland: "I am proud that my Marie Curie fellowship contributed to advancing research partnerships between continents, which could bring significant benefits for the global community."