Commission launches technology consultation

The European Commission is seeking ideas for technology not yet possible. The Future and Emerging Technologies (FET) programme has launched a consultation which intends to identify promising directions for future research in any technological domain.

In a press release, Neelie Kroes, European Commission Vice-President responsible for the Digital Agenda, said: “From protecting the environment to curing disease, the choices and investments we make today will make a difference to the jobs and lives we enjoy tomorrow. Researchers and entrepreneurs, innovators, creators, or interested bystanders – whoever you are, I hope you will take this opportunity to take part in determining Europe’s future.”

The consultation is organised as a series of discussions in which contributors can suggest ideas for a new FET Proactive initiative or discuss the nine research topics identified in the previous consultation to determine whether they are still relevant today. The ideas collected via the public consultation will contribute to future FET work programmes, which are set to begin in 2016 as part of Horizon 2020. This participative process has already been used to draft the current work programme.

The consultation is open till 15 June 2014.