Data-Gouv-ML/pcri-actions-marie-curie-participations-et-projets-laureats huggingface dataset:
Projet AtSpecTS (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2024)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : SIGNED

The project AtSpecTS (Atmosphere Spectroscopy using Terahertz Sensors dedicated to quantum cascade laser sensing) aims o develop a compact, disruptive spectroscopic gas sensor technology for the 2–5 THz range, utilizing advanced field-effect transistor (FET) technology and offer QCL users a new compact and cost-effective solution for atmosphere research. Atmospheric gases like carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and atomic oxygen are critical in greenhouse effects, chemical reactions, and energy regulation. Spectroscopy enables precise detection of these gases by analyzing their absorption and emission of electromagnetic radiation. The project focuses on improving the accuracy of gas detection and analysis in the terahertz range, where clearer signals with less spectral overlap can be obtained compared to IR spectroscopy. The expected outcome is a technology that is ready for participation in the next atmosphere research mission.

Mots clés : terahertz, spectroscopy systems, atmosphere gas, absorbtion spectroscopy, optoelectronics

Participants :
- Université de Leeds (Royaume-Uni) — Partner, associated partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
- Center for Physical Sciences and Technology (Lituanie) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 196976.16 €
- Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e. V. (DLR) (Allemagne) — Partner, associated partner, Recherche, subvention : 0.0 €
Projet IMS12 (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2023)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Foreign direct investment (FDI) flows are conducted by INDIVIDUAL investors (abbreviated as IFDI), which have been strongly promoted by Immigrant Investor Programs (IIPs). Twenty-one out of twenty-seven of the member states of the European Union (EU) establish IIPs to attract wealthy investors in order to receive investment capital; change the economic structure and social status of undeveloped regions, make a name for the country on the international market, and as an economic diplomacy strategy. While the FDI motivations of enterprises have been extensively studied; the motives of IFDI remain undeveloped. This limitation is certainly a missing puzzle piece in the scientific world, causing a lack of a theoretical basis to explain a real phenomenon. Simultaneously, demand-side motive ambiguity might impact the design of IIPs, leading to their inefficiency. Governments also lack a base to take a consistent stance on IFDI. This proposal aspires to provide a scientific and practical basis to fully understand the variation of IFDI, thereby aligning policy with its evolution. The overall aim is to develop the patterns of IFDI, its nature, and trends. Qualitative research methods with a variety of tools, mainly based on naturally occurring data associated with the opinions of the participants - knowledge co-producers. Two theoretical frameworks are developed: IMS12 to identify the drivers and nature of IFDI and VIRA to forecast IFDI. The results of this project, in addition to fulfilling its own objectives, will also serve as the foundation for further research in several scientific fields such as economics, sociology, and politics. This project is expected to run for 24 months and is hosted by the University of Malta in Malta, including a 4-month secondment at the University of Graz, Austria.

Mots clés : individual foreign direct investment, ifdi, immigrant investor, patterns, nature, trends

Participants :
- Université de Graz (Autriche) — Partner, associated partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
- Université de Malte (Malte) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 177251.52 €
Projet FAR-SIDS (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2024)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Social Sciences and Humanities
Statut du projet : SIGNED

This proposal investigates the interrelation between foreign aid and remittances in supporting livelihoods in Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Employing an innovative, interdisciplinary mixed-methods approach, the study integrates ethnographic fieldwork, household surveys, and econometric modelling, all underpinned by the new Sustainable Livelihood Framework (SLF) proposed by Natarajan et al. (2022). The objective is to explore how foreign aid and remittances interact with six interdependent livelihood capitals (human, social, cultural, physical, financial, and natural) - interactions often overlooked in traditional development economics. The aim is to inform policies and guide the development of integrated interventions that effectively leverage both financial flows to promote resilient and diversified livelihood strategies, ultimately enhancing the long-term wellbeing of SIDS. To achieve these objectives, the project will employ a multi-sited comparative approach, focusing on Jamaica, Tonga, and Comoros. Qualitative data collection will utilise an adaptation of the CRiSTAL tool, while quantitative analysis will bridge ethnographic insights with household surveys and econometric modelling. This research directly contributes to SDGs 1, 10, 13, and 14 and aligns with the EU's commitment to the SAMOA Pathway for SIDS by examining how remittances and aid can jointly address specific social, ecological, and economic challenges faced by SIDS. Additionally, the project aims to inform EU’s Global Gateway investments in SIDS by suggesting ways to combine large-scale aid projects with grass-root remittance-driven initiatives for more comprehensive sustainable development. By uncovering the intricate dynamics between foreign aid, remittances, and livelihood capitals, this research seeks to provide policymakers with valuable insights to design targeted, efficient interventions that harness the full potential of these financial flows in small island nations and beyond.

Mots clés : foreign aid, remittances, wellbeing, small island development states

Participants :
- Université des Indes occidentales (Jamaïque) — Partner, associated partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
- Université du Pacifique Sud (Fidji) — Partner, associated partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
- Universite des comores (Comores) — Partner, associated partner, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 0.0 €
- Université de Malte (Malte) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 189474.24 €
Projet COSMOMALTA (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2023)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Physics
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Some of the biggest open problems in modern cosmology are the nature of the cosmic dark sector, the discrepancy between the theoretically predicted versus the observed value of the cosmological constant, and the growing cosmological discordances and tensions between different observational probes. Notably, the Hubble constant, which describes how fast the Universe is expanding when measured locally, has an enormous statistical disagreement with that inferred from the early Cosmic Microwave Background data. These inconsistencies, in turn, necessitate the formulation of new physics beyond the standard cosmological model. Current and ongoing observations, together with upcoming surveys, will produce large volumes of data, whose accumulation and processing will require an upgradation and increase in the sophistication of our statistical tools before applying them to specific problems. Thus, we propose to build a deep learning architecture using advanced statistics in machine learning algorithms like neural networks to be integrated into cosmological community codes for emulated parameter inference. This will help us to select, in a model-independent way, generic features of some cosmological theories that satisfy all observations. Utilising the power of deep learning will be an ideal space to investigate new physics in the observational sector and discriminate between models that are degenerate in terms of current observational approaches, fostering the development of data-driven science as a valuable companion to the model-driven paradigm. The fellowship will contribute to the researcher's career development by acquiring advanced skills in machine learning approaches using Bayesian statistics and developing skills within the cosmological community through a series of events designed to disseminate his results to the broader public. The project will also serve to consolidate and extend the researcher's network of professional contacts within Europe and beyond.

Mots clés : cosmological tensions, modified gravity, reconstruction, machine learning, advanced statistics, forecasting

Participants :
- Université de Malte (Malte) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 161411.52 €
Projet ARROW (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2023)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Perceiving what others feel is one of the most fascinating traits of humans, as social animals. It is believed that sharing emotions is critical to facilitate social coordination, empathic experiences, and prosocial behaviors. Over the past decade, thanks to a groundbreaking emergence of neuroscience tools it has been possible to explore brain activity systematically across humans, primates, and rodents in emotional transfer tasks. Up to date, studies have focused on the transfer of negative emotions such as pain, fear, and distress. Despite the importance of affiliative interactions and perception of positive emotional states from others in shaping how animals behave socially, it is surprising that the transfer of positive emotional states has been virtually unexplored. To fill this gap, I propose ARROW, where I will dissect the neural circuit mechanisms of the perception of others’ positive emotions using a recently developed vicarious reward task for rodents. I will ask how the perception of the rewarding states from conspecifics is implemented at the single neuron level in the Ventral Tegmental Area (VTA), and modulated by long-range neuronal circuits (projections to and from the Anterior Cingulate Cortex). To address this aim, I will build on my previous in vivo electrophysiology skills and leverage on the state-of-the-art expertise of Dr. Márquez in studying social behaviors using quantitative approaches and neural circuit manipulations, and Dr. Charlet in dissecting neuron circuit functionality. This bold and innovative project is not simply incremental but will provide groundbreaking research on a fundamental brain function that is currently understudied. Finally, I will use this funding to catalyze my career as a future influential principal investigator, building the foundation for my future independent research aiming at how such neural mechanisms are impaired in disease.

Mots clés : social neuroscience, reward, dopamine, transfer of emotions, rats, circuits

Participants :
- Université de Coimbra (Portugal) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 156778.56 €
- Centre national de la recherche scientifique (France) — Partner, associated partner, Recherche, subvention : 0.0 €
Projet spiNets (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2023)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : SIGNED

This project proposes the functionalisation of dense arrays of spintronic nanodevices called magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) for neuromorphic computing application. Neuromorphic computing is a field that proposes a novel computing architecture aimed at reducing energy consumption and enhancing computational capabilities compared to conventional computers. It mimics the Human brain where memory and information processing are physically intertwined. One key component is the synapse, which plays a crucial role in enabling the communication between neurons and serving as a dynamic, plastic memory where the strength of connections between neurons is stored. This characteristic allows for tuning these connections in a non-volatile and reversible manner, forming the foundation for intricate learning and memory processes.  For this purpose, the field of spintronics will be employed, focusing on controlling electron spin. Spintronics has gained significant importance in data storage applications, and spintronics nanodevices such as MTJs have recently emerged as promising candidates for neuromorphic computing due to their robustness, multifunctionalities and compatibility with compatibility to metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) technology. They hold strong appeal for the development of artificial synapses and neurons that mimic their biological counterparts due to their low power consumption and fast switching compared to traditional transistors. In addition, the nanoscale size of spintronic devices allows for the creation of large neural networks. The integration of memory and processing in these devices has the potential to revolutionize computational systems and strongly reduce energy consumption while increasing computational speed.

Mots clés : spintronics, neuromorphic computing, magnetic tunnel junction arrays, spin torque nano oscillators

Participants :
- Institute for Systems Engineering and Computers (Portugal) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 172618.56 €
Projet FerroChiral (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2022)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Chemistry
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Chirality is one of the most intriguing fundamental phenomena in nature. Materials composed of chiral molecules find broad applications in areas ranging from nonlinear optics and spintronics to biology and pharmaceuticals. However, chirality is usually an invariable inherent property of a given material that cannot be easily changed at will. Very recently we discovered that chiral structure emerges as a basic configuration of polarization field in ferroelectric nanoparticles and nanodots in a form of stable fundamental topological excitations of polarization, Hopfions, and skyrmions, and, importantly, can be controlled and switched by cleverly devised field-temperature protocols. The key idea of the project is to reveal how this discovered emerging topological chirality will be identified, measured, explored, and put in practice, using the unique facilities and excellence of Jozef Stefan Institute in Slovenia. Accordingly, the research objectives of the FerroChiral MSCA are defined as follows: - To optimize fabrication parameters enabling the engineering of ferroelectric nanostructures with desirable chiral properties. - To develop research approaches for revealing and exploring the topological structures of the ferroelectric nanostructures. - To devise efficient enantioselective procedures and elaborate effective methods for chirality revealing and operation. The new skills in nanomaterial fabrication and operation, and in building the academia-industry links will be developed for further career pursuit. Also, the project will cluster the FerroChiral action with the complimentary European networks in view of prospective developing long-lasting collaborations.

Mots clés : ferroelectric materials, chirality, polarization, optical tweezers

Participants :
- Institut Jožef Stefan (Slovénie) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 171399.36 €
Projet Staph-in-Skin (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2022)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

The skin provides a physical and immunological barrier to external environment and its homeostasis depends on interactions between keratinocytes, peripheral nerves, immune cells and microbiota. One of the bacteria that can colonise skin is Staphylococcus aureus and it can be part of healthy skin or pathogen causing skin infection. Importantly, in atopic dermatitis patients, which suffer from impaired skin barrier and microbiota dysbiosis, S. aureus is associated with severity of flares and exacerbation of inflammation. The inflammatory loop in the skin depends both on host and pathogen factors, but it is not fully elucidated how this interaction is regulated. The proposed project will investigate novel mechanisms regulating the inflammation induced by S. aureus skin infection. The main focus will be on molecular mechanisms and regulation of pathogen sensing by keratinocytes. First, murine model of topical skin infection will be used to characterise how keratinocytes orchestrate immune response. Then, it will be examined in detail which S. aureus virulence factors induce inflammation in keratinocytes using different laboratory and clinical S. aureus strains. Finally, the role of characterised virulence factors and immunomodulators secreted by keratinocytes will be investigated in keratinocyte-immune cells interactions. To achieve the goals of this project, proteomics, next-generation sequencing, biochemistry, molecular biology and immunological assays will be applied. Overall, this project will contribute to greater understating of S. aureus-host immunity interactions with particular focus on regulation of keratinocyte inflammatory response. Moreover, identified novel signalling molecules in the skin and virulence factors of the pathogen can be explored in novel skin inflammation and infection treatments.

Mots clés : inflammation, keratinocytes, skin infection, staphylococcus aureus

Participants :
- Université Jagellonne (Pologne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 155793.6 €
Projet MSCA_dk_2021 (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2022)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : CLOSED

Ubiquitin-related modifier 1 (Urm1) is known for its dual role as sulfur carrier protein (SCP) in tRNA thiolation and as an ubiquitin-like protein (UBL) that leads to an oxidant-induced posttranslational protein modification (PTM). We recently, managed to recapitulate the Urm1-conjugation reaction for various targets in vitro and characterize the underlying molecular principles. In most ubiquitin (Ub) and ubiquitin-like- conjugation systems, the active removal of the PTM constitutes a key feature of the regulatory mechanisms. Although, various targets of urmylation have been reported, not a single enzyme that could reverse the modification has been identified. In this project, I plan to incorporate different complementary discovery strategies to ultimately identify possible “deurmylation” enzymes in yeast and human and assess their biological significance. Foremost, I aim to uncover the guiding principles that regulate the evolutionary most ancient UBL system in eukaryotes. Hence, the expected results will not only answer one of the most intriguing questions related to Urm1, but have far-reaching consequences for our understanding of all UBL systems in eukaryotes. Last but not least, several studies hint at the critical function of Urm1 conjugation in oxidative stress response and at its direct involvement in severe human diseases. As various deubiquitylating enzymes (DUBs) are successfully developed as potent targets for small-molecule based drug therapies, the identified enzyme(s) could be well suited for novel therapeutic and diagnostic strategies.

Mots clés : urm1, posttranslational modification, protease, activity based probe

Participants :
- Université Jagellonne (Pologne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 139953.6 €
Projet DET-TB (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2022)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Life Sciences
Statut du projet : SIGNED

Tuberculosis disease (TB) is the second leading infectious killer after COVID-19 (above HIV/AIDS). The main reason is due to high ability of the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) to hide after infection and lack of the precise and sensitive tests able to detect different forms of TB and indicate disease progression. Therefore the aim of this project is to search and investigate new antigens that could be used not only for the detection of different phases of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection but also could be used for precise prognostic tool. To achieve this goal, the experience of the applicant in a LTBI diagnostics, medical microbiology and molecular biology will be combined with hands on training in a field of bioinformatics, and in silico approaches supported by artificial intelligence computational and experimental methods applied for structural analysis of proteins supporting strategic decisions in detection system development. As part of the World Health Organization's (WHO) End TB Strategy to reduce the mortality and incidence rates of TB by 90% and 80%, respectively, in 2025 and further reduction by 95% and 90% in 2035, reverse efforts to focus on TB infection management as one of the TB preventive care approaches for the long-term situation of TB prevention and treatment are highly needed. The main goal of this proposal is to better understand molecular basic of the TB infection and progression aiming identification of the new antigens which later can provide a new avenue for designing of novel interferon gamma release assays (IGRA) test for detection of different phases of TB infection and predict active TB disease progression. We hypothesise that using latency associated protein candidates and IFN-γ-producing CD8+ T cells specific Mtb antigens we will be able to achieve these goals.

Mots clés : mycobacterium tuberculosis, igra, prediction, in silico, structural analysis, protein

Participants :
- École polytechnique de Silésie (Pologne) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Enseignement supérieur ou secondaire, subvention : 155793.6 €
Projet YAHYA-6G (Horizon Europe, appel à projets 2022)
Action : Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
Panel : Information Science and Engineering
Statut du projet : CLOSED

YAHYA-6G aims to propose new signal processing solutions doped with machine-learning. We will focus on the detection and compensation of RF imperfections in mMIMO (massive Multiple input Multiple output) based NOMA (Non-orthogonal multiple access) pair . In other hand, YAHYA-6G target is to minimize the long-term power consumption based on the stochastic optimization theory for mMIMO-NOMA IoT networks with EH (Energy Harvesting) in presence of RF imperfections. Thus the objectives of the YAHYA-6G project are: 1- Identify major RF imperfections that may occur in a multi-access / multi-antenna broadband system. 2- Propose new solutions to optimize the energy efficiency at the RF transmitters. This solution will focus on the power amplifier that represents 60 at 70% of the energy consumed in an RF transmitter. 3- Analyze the impact of these RF imperfections on mobile radio systems exploiting NOMA technologies. 4- Propose a Deep Learning online learning process to detect the NOMA channel characteristics and compensate the effect of HPA nonlinearity. A joint detection of the NOMA interference and HPA (High Power Amplifier) nonlinearity will be studied in mMIMO-NOMA system. 5- Resolve a non convex based problem coping with the expected 6G requirements, with a particular focus on optimal resource scheduling and computation capacity allocation and reducing energy consumption of wireless devices, through a set of new algorithms . 6- Realize a demonstrator based on the SDR (Software Defined Radio) USRP cards on which some algorithms developed in the project will be implemented.

Mots clés : massive mimo, eh, noma, rf imperfections

Participants :
- Instituto de Telecomunicações (Portugal) — Coordinator, beneficiary, Recherche, subvention : 172618.56 €