A focus on nanotech
As a Key Enabling Technology (KET), nanotechnology is receiving major funding under Horizon 2020’s Industrial Leadership pillar. In addition to investing in the next generation of technologies and helping increase Europe’s international competitiveness, the KETs will also help address Horizon 2020’s Societal Challenges. Furthermore, nanotechnology’s crosscutting role will also be realised through investment by the European Research Council’s research funding programmes.
Horizon 2020 is focusing on encouraging the development of partnerships between firms to apply for funding. In the United Kingdom, a specialised agency is doing the same with the development of collaborative projects, in addition to simplifying the nanotechnology innovation landscape. Dr Alec Reader is director of the Nanotechnology Knowledge Transfer Network (NanoKTN) and explained the background to network, his thoughts on the new framework programme and SME engagement.
How did NanoKTN develop and what are its core objectives?
The NanoKTN facilitates the transfer of knowledge and experience between industry and research, offering companies dealing in small scale technology access to information on new processes, patents and funding as well as keeping up-to-date with industry regulation.
The NanoKTN drives knowledge transfer and collaborative partnerships in the UK’s innovation communities via our core activities of networking, information and news, funding opportunities and policy and regulation.
The NanoKTN was founded by the Technology Strategy Board, the UK’s innovation agency, over five years ago and continues some of the work of the former Department of Trade and Industry (now the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills) in the ‘Innovation Report’. It has been active in many European activities and has participated in an FP7 Co-ordination and Support action, NanoCom, which looked at the barriers to commercialisation for nanotechnology.
What are your expectations for Horizon 2020?
Horizon 2020 aims to tackle the Societal Challenges by helping to bridge the gap between research and commercial organisations, helping innovative enterprises to develop their technological breakthroughs into viable products with real commercial potential.
At the NanoKTN, we are encouraging all UK SMEs to get involved and gain access to the funds available to help their businesses grow. With an indicative €70bn budget, we expect Horizon 2020 to help the drive to create new growth and jobs in Europe.
The programme will also address major concerns shared by all Europeans such as climate change, developing sustainable transport and mobility, making renewable energy more affordable, ensuring food safety and security, or coping with the challenge of an ageing population.
The big change proposed for Horizon 2020 is the introduction of a new funding instrument for SMEs, which focuses on business-led proposals. The three phases of the instrument are: feasibility, development and commercialisation. These projects are smaller in nature and less complicated than the more traditional instruments for larger type projects. The introduction of this scheme is designed to fill the niche for rapid response projects in fast moving sectors similar to those employed by the US SBIR schemes.
It has also been recognised that topics in the NMBP work programme which are now more ‘challenge-led’ and open, rather than ‘technology-driven’ or prescriptive, allow for new ‘out of the box or novel’ ideas to flourish. This means that there is more scope for SMEs to find a fit for their RTD activities and companies do not have to wait several years for particular topics to be called.
Do you believe there is adequate investment from the EU devoted towards nanotechnology and the wider grand societal challenges?
We believe that there is a good level of support for nanotechnology-inspired projects in Europe, which compensates for there being no dedicated programme of applied nanotechnology research in the UK. In the area of safety and risk research, it is appropriate that the European Commission takes a collaborative approach as demonstrated by the FP7 ‘NanoReg’ project as many of the ultimate decisions on regulation, measurement and guidance on use of nanomaterials, are better managed in a co-ordinated way across Europe so as not to duplicate research in each individual member state. The overall commitment to the ‘Leadership in Enabling and Industrial Technologies’ programme is substantial and it is recognised that nanotechnologies underpin the development of novel materials solutions which address the key societal challenges.
Activities under Horizon 2020 will cover similar areas to FP7 with a greater focus on the societal dimension of nanotechnologies and their safe developments.
What are your thoughts regarding the FET Flagship Projects and the EU’s multimillion investment in graphene?
The large investment in the Graphene FET Project is welcomed, however there is a note of caution that the project needs to be well managed to deliver the results that it promises. As with these projects, areas of scientific interest expand and contract over time, however it is important to invest in facilities and capabilities that upgrade Europe’s ability to innovate and compete with the best in the world.
The important elements for this project are to get pulled through from European industry and are going to develop the real products and the responsiveness to research needs from business rather than just pursue novel research boundaries. This will deliver the return on investment badly needed in Europe.
The UK is also recognised as having a unique position in the graphene sector and it is essential that any policies seek to maintain UK leadership position in the materials research, as early development work is costly and returns are initially low. The NanoKTN will continue to play a vital role working within emerging technology sectors to remove barriers to growth and help stimulate the investment needed to enhance success in these exciting technology areas.
What action can the UK Government and the various devolved administrations take to encourage greater SME involvement in Horizon 2020 compared to FP7?
Support for UK SMEs can take many forms such as dissemination of key information at events provided by the KTNs in partnership with the official National Contact Point service. This can help stimulate enquires and onward participation, and brokerage on projects with brokerage services run by NCPs and the European Enterprise Networks. These are regionally based services (roughly aligned to the old regional development agencies) that can directly help UK SMEs.
There is also support from the newly created Local Enterprise Partnerships that can provide support for companies through advice and access to funds like the European Regional Development Fund or even the European Investment Bank for larger strategic investments.
In addition to this, there is a new programme in Horizon 2020, COSME (Competitiveness of Enterprises and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises) to help SMEs gain access to debt and equity instruments with a European dimension. The challenge for SMEs will be to understand which scheme is best for them and how it fits with their business plans.
Dr Alec Reader
