2016 ANNUAL REVIEW Ministry of Science and Technology

Apart from sharing research results and enhancing the country's R&D capabilities through international activities including joint research projects and conferences, joint use of major research facilities, reciprocal visits of personnel, and the exchange of information, MOST is also maintaining the balanced development of Taiwan's S&T development strategies by continuing to strengthen cooperation and interchange with technologically-advanced countries, while employing S&T assistance to further the government's diplomatic policies. A. Promotion of Bilateral S&T Cooperation In order to strengthen bilateral collaborative relationships and establish bilateral platforms for S&T interchange, apart from signing scientific and technical cooperation agreements and MOUs with foreign S&T organizations, MOST is also strengthening outreach to new partners and exploring potential areas of cooperation. A total of 115 cooperation agreements, MOUs, and other cooperation documents had been signed with 43 countries and three international organizations as of the end of 2016. MOST signed the following bilateral S&T cooperation agreements during 2016 (including extended agreements): (1) A new Taiwan-United States cooperation agreement concerning frequency coordination of the FORMOSAT-3 satellite galaxy system; (2) a strategic partnership agreement between Taiwan and the United States concerning digital RF cavity controllers; (3) an MOU with Canada concerning a cooperation program in communications technology; (4) an MOU with Japan's National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology; (5) MOST and the Estonian Research Council (ETAg) added a second annex (concerning exchanges and visits of personnel) to their scientific cooperation agreement; (6) MOST and the Czech Academy of Sciences (CAS) renewed a scientific cooperation agreement; (7) MOST signed a cooperation letter of intent concerning battery development with the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). MOST hopes that the establishment of a cooperation framework between the parties in these agreements will help Taiwan's scientific research personnel participate in international S&T cooperation and boost Taiwan's S&T research standards and international influence. B. Participation in Major International S&T Organizations This year MOST continued to promote Taiwan's participation in the activities of major international S&T organizations, and encouraged international scientific and technological interchange and collaboration. 1. European Union The EU's 8 th Framework Program-entitled "Horizon 2020"-will extend from 2014 to 2020. Responding to the Horizon 2020 framework, MOST has encouraged researchers in Taiwan to actively participate in multinational, multilateral projects, and has established an interagency National Contact Point in Taiwan steering committee in conjunction with the Ministry of Economic Affairs. Vice ministers from MOST and the MOEA serve as the chairs of this committee, and a Ministry of Foreign Affairs vice minister, Ministry of Education vice minister, and the Board of Science & Technology, Executive Yuan serve as members. This steering committee has establish four subgroups in charge of industrial technology, academic R&D, manpower training, and four international links respectively, and provides an interagency platform for communication, coordination, and the preparation of manpower and resources needed for the implementation of EU projects. At the same time, MOST has established National Contact Point (NCP) offices at NARLabs and the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), which have provided citizens with consulting services and assistance with project application procedures through strengthened awareness and match-up activities. MOST has further assigned its five overseas science and technology divisions in Europe to serve as Taiwan NCPs directly participating in Europe's NCP network, which will expand Taiwan's network of European contacts and provide a better understanding of the Horizon 2020's newest trends. MOST has also been actively participating in numerous EU ERA.NET projects, and has been assisting with the issuance of calls for multinational research project proposals in conjunction with multinational research-funding organizations in Europe, which has helped R&D teams from Taiwan to participate in EU projects. 2. APEC MOST actively participates in Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) activities, and took International Cooperation in Science and Technology Ⅴ MOST Ministry of Science and Technology Ministry of Science and Technology 76 2016 ANNUAL REVIEW