Microsoft launches EuroScience initiative

eWeek | at | by Mike

Microsoft on Wednesday announced a major program to invest in research centers in Europe, touching on traditional scientific research as well as aspects of computer science.

The EuroScience Initiative, officially launched with Microsoft chairman Bill Gates' keynote to more than 500 government leaders and public officials in Prague, Czech Republic, builds on Microsoft's existing European investments via its Microsoft Research unit. While existing centers such as Microsoft Research Cambridge and the European Microsoft Innovation Center are squarely focused on software research, the EuroScience program aims to bring computing together with hard-science areas in which Microsoft doesn't necessarily have any expertise.