Project acronym: OPERA 2015

Coordination: VDI Technologiezentrum GmbH, Germany

Project partners:

Enterprise Ireland, Ireland VZW, Interuniversitair Micro-electronic Centrum, Belgium TNO, Nederlandse Organisatie voor Toegepast-Natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek, The Netherlands Ministrstvo za visoko solstvo, znanost in tehnologijo, Slovenia Innovación, Desarollo y Transferencia de Tecnologia, S.A., Spain Promouvoir la Vallee de l’Optique: "OPTICS VALLEY", France The University of Salford, UK European Photonics Industry Consortium European Optical Society

ICT Technological Area: all

Sectors of ICT Implementation: all

Project duration: 36 months

Project start: 01/04/2005

EC funding: 0.95 M EUR

Project aim:
The main objective of OPERA 2015 is to provide a Platform for adequate interaction of European IST-research in OP (Optics and Photonics) and to develop and implement a joint strategy for research and industry with the title “OPERA 2015” to shape the future of this highly important industrial area. OPERA 2015 will support the creation of the European Research Area through the stimulation of interaction of EU and national initiatives and projects. This will lead to improved transparency and cooperation of research activities and will deliver a clear view of the state and future directions of European research in OP. OPERA 2015 will furthermore foster the link between industry and research in order to strengthen Europe’s competitiveness by identifying strategic opportunities for European industries and by compiling scenarios for the future development of photonics industries.

Contacts and Website:
http://www.opera2015.org/
wilkens@vdi.de

VDI Technologiezentrum GmbH
Mr Markus Wilkens
40239 Düsseldorf, Germany
Phone: +49.211.621.44.78
Fax: +49.211.621.41.59

Further information:
General objectives:

• Increase the efficiency and impact of European IST-Research in the field of Optics and Photonics (OP) by stimulating coordination, interaction and cooperation at European level
• Make IST-relevant structure for OP such as funding programmes, schemes and activities at the regional, national and European level more visible and thus encourage interaction and wellplanned networking with the aim to multiply the benefits of public research funding
• Mobilise all players1 to develop and implement jointly a common “long-term shared vision” for Optics and Photonics in the area of IST: OPERA 2015 (strategy for the development of Optics and Photonics in the future)
• Pave the way for Optics and Photonics in the European Research Area – OPERA 2015
• Make relevant stakeholders in IST aware of a common OP- identity in order to pursue their interests jointly
• Contribute to the preparation of the 7. Framework Programme

  Measurable objectives and methods of work:

• Setting up an Optics and Photonics (OP) information exchange and coordination platform (central OPERA-website) for publicly funded research and for organisations dealing with research policies in OP covering:
• IST-projects within FP5 and FP6 and other European projects with relevance for Optics and Photonics (other thematic priorities within the Framework Programmes, EUREKA, COST, etc.)
• National and regional funding programmes covering Optics and Photonics in IST
• European, national and regional clusters, networks and initiatives as well as organisations working at the supranational level (EPIC, EOS, EUROM, SPIE etc.)
• Initiating the joint development of documents by research and industry reflecting the current state of the art and development and implementation of a joint strategy including future visions for this key technology – OPERA 2015
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