The European Commission revealed the new programme of projects and plans for the next 2 years. Horizon 2020 will continue to support innovative projects, starting from research and conceptualisation steps to the production part.
Key priorities for 2016 – 2017
Horizon 2020 is the biggest EU research and innovation founding programme, spreading on 7 years (2014 – 2020). The European Commission revealed its projects and plans for the next 2 years. The programme will continue to support innovative projects, starting from the research and conceptualisation to the production part.
Several financial instruments will continue to be imagined in order to facilitate the access to market. EU is also working on new opportunities of cooperation between states members and establishes a strategic international approach, regarding research and cooperation.
The next two years programme is established in order to contribute to the development of new jobs opportunities, growth or investment. It was imagined in order to attract new SMEs by ensuring and encouraging research and innovation with other countries.
The main key points are:
- A new boost for jobs, growth and investment regarding European key sectors like robotics, innovative medicine, etc.
- A Connected Digital Single Market. Internet and ICT have a huge impact on today’s research and innovation projects. Internet of Things and Digital Security are the main focus themes that EU must update, as their development is synonym with new innovative digital solutions.
- A Resilient Energy Union with a Forward-Looking Climate Change Policy. The Smart and Sustainable Cities call aims to involve cities, industry and citizens into finding new solutions to sustainability and accessibility.
- A Deeper and Fairer Internal Market with a Strengthened Industrial Base. Maintaining and reinforcing the European single market will contribute to create a stronger European economy.
- A Stronger Global Actor, Towards a New Policy on Migration, and An Area of Justice and Fundamental Rights Based on Mutual Trust
- Cross-cutting and other features. Synergies between Horizon 2020 and European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) will expand the scope and impact of both instruments.
Silver Economy, as it will eventually impact all sectors of activity, is on the “to do list” of the European Commission.
The call on personalised medicine is expected to boost industry and Silver economy directly by investing in strategies for earlier and more effective prevention measures, diagnostics and treatments.
Europe will eventually manage to address the ageing population challenge. Carlos Moedas, Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation at Horizon 2020, is confident that “Research and innovation are the engines of Europe’s progress and vital to addressing today’s new pressing challenges like immigration, climate change, clean energy and healthy societies.”
In order to better understand the objectives of Horizon 2020, please watch the presentation video:
Published by the Editorial Staff on