H2020 targets manufacturing industry
The European Commission will invest €1bn in modernising the continent’s manufacturing industry as part of the biennial budget for Horizon 2020.
The EU research and innovation framework programme will also invest €670m in Industry 2020 in the Circular Economy in order to develop strong and sustainable economies, and €232m in smart and sustainable cities to better integrate environmental, transport, energy and digital networks in EU’s urban environments, as part of other cross-cutting initiatives.
The funding is part of the 2016-2017 budget of Horizon 2020, which totals almost €16bn. The two-year work programme contains funding opportunities through a range of calls for proposals, public procurements and other actions such as the Horizon Prizes, together covering nearly 600 topics.
As part of the work programme, there will be €139m for the Internet of Things in order to address digitalisation of EU industries and over €100m for technologies and standards for automatic driving. In addition, €27m will be available for new technologies to help prevent crime and terrorism, €15m for research into the origin and impact of migration flows in Europe, and at least €8m in for research on security of the EU’s external borders to help identify and prevent human trafficking and smuggling.
The new work programme will also build on successes in health research, such as the Ebola-related breakthrough discoveries already supported by Horizon 2020, by investing €5m to respond to the critical outbreak of the damaging olive-tree pest Xylella fastidiosa.
The new Work Programme is also set on improving the impact of Horizon 2020 funding, according to the Commission. The EU institution will ensure more money is available for innovative companies thanks to new leveraging opportunities supported by the European Fund for Strategic Investments in addition to over €740m dedicated to support R&I activities in nearly 2,000 SMEs.
Brussels has said it will also make further attempts to improve synergies with other EU funding programmes, as well as support researchers in their applications with clearer guidance and impact criteria.
