Europe has a long tradition of excellence in research and innovation, and each Member State has its own research and innovation policies and programs.
Thanks to its continental dimension, the European Union—made up of 27 sovereign nations working together—is perfectly positioned to stimulate, coordinate, and advocate for policies that help propel and finance research and development, remove impediments to innovation, and clear the way to bring innovations to market.
European Research Area
In the past decade, the “European Research Area” (ERA) has been taking shape. The ERA is building a research and innovation equivalent of the “common market” for goods and services by better coordination of research programs and the convergence of research and innovation policies at national and EU levels, thereby securing the economic and competitive future of the Member States.
Innovation Union
In October 2010, the EU launched the Innovation Union, one of the flagship initiatives of its Europe 2020 strategy for jobs and growth. A crucial investment for Europe’s future, the Innovation Union includes more than 30 specific initiatives designed to make the EU a world-class performer in the sciences by helping to attract and retain the world’s best researchers and innovators.
At the same time, the Innovation Union focuses Europe’s efforts on societal challenges including the need to adapt to globalization’s competitive pressures, adjust to the realities of an aging population, progress toward a low-carbon economy, and modernize the European industrial base.
EU Investment
The EU also invests heavily in research, technological development, and innovation. Since 1984, the EU’s seven Framework Programs for Research and Technological Development have provided multi-year funding and direction for research, innovation, and technological development.
The Seventh Framework Program (FP7) is the largest public-funded research program in the world; between 2007 and 2013, it will provide €50.5 billion budget to support research and innovation in Europe.
In 2014, FP7 will be replaced by Horizon 2020, a new funding framework that brings together all existing EU-level programs that support research and innovation to ensure scientific excellence; boost industrial leadership and competitiveness; and tackle societal challenges. Between 2014 and 2020, a proposed €80 billion will be provided under the Horizon 2020 framework to research institutions, universities, innovative private companies, and small businesses. For more information download the brochure: “European Research and Education Programs What’s in them for you?” or download the brochure: Transatlantic Cooperation in the Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Development – A Guide for U.S. Users.
Member countries have been encouraged to invest 3 percent of their GDP in R&D by 2020 (1 percent public funding, 2 percent private-sector investment) – which is estimated to create 3.7 million jobs and increase annual GDP by nearly €800 billion.
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