Research partnerships between the EU, the private sector and Member States presented their first calls for projects and partners under Horizon 2020, the EU’s EUR 80 billion research and innovation programme. Worth a total of EUR 1.13 billion in public funding, which would be complemented by a comparable amount from the private partners, the first round of funding would go into projects that would improve people’s lives as well as boost international competitiveness of Europe’s industry. Topics included new treatments for diabetes and eye disease and a roll out of dozens of hydrogen-powered road vehicles and refuelling stations.
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The launch of first calls comes almost exactly one year after the European Commission put forward the Innovation Investment Package, a set of proposals to establish seven public-private and four public-public partnerships. They will work in several key areas such as medicines, transport, electronics and bioeconomy, and are worth over 22 billion in total. The proposals have been adopted by the European Parliament as well as the Council of the EU.
Background
The seven public-private partnerships launched today represent a total investment of 19.5 billion into research and innovation over the next seven years, where the EU contribution of 7.3 billion will unlock a 12.2 billion investment from the private sector and the Member States. Together with four more public-public partnerships with Member States, they form the Innovation Investment Package representing more than a 22 billion investment into Europe’s future.
These partnerships work in a number of key fields:
- Innovative Medicines 2 (IMI2): to develop next generation vaccines, medicines and treatments, such as new antibiotic;
- Fuel Cells and Hydrogen 2 (FCH2): to accelerate market introduction of clean and efficient technologies in energy and transport;
- Clean Sky 2 (CS2): to develop cleaner, quieter aircraft with significantly less CO2 emissions;
- Bio-based Industries (BBI): to use renewable natural resources and innovative technologies for greener everyday products;
- Electronic Components and Systems for European Leadership (ECSEL): to boost Europe’s electronics manufacturing capabilities;
- Shift2Rail: to develop better trains and railway infrastructure that will drastically reduce costs and improve capacity, reliability and punctuality;
- SESAR 2020: to develop the new generation of European Air Traffic Management system that will enhance the performance of air transport.
The competitive calls launched by these partnerships are open to the participation of companies, SMEs, universities, research organisations and others. The best projects will be selected for funding through peer review.
Horizon 2020 participant portal
