A public S|B Network conference (13:30 – 17:30 CET)
In recent months, speculation and concern have been simmering within the research and innovation community over the Commission’s first proposals for the EU’s 2028-2034 budget (MFF), including the new European Competitiveness Fund (ECF) and next Framework Programme (FP10). One question in particular has been vexing stakeholders across the board: what will the future hold for the current Pillar II of Horizon Europe, which pumps tens of billions into various forms of collaborative research and technology development?
While this is understandable, given the scale of activity and sums of money involved, it is nonetheless only part of a more complex puzzle that is being shaped by the dynamics of geopolitical turmoil, political focus on technological sovereignty and the quest for greater economic security and competitiveness. In light of the ‘great power competition’ with the US and China, Europe’s positioning within the global R&I ecosystem and critical technology stacks is becoming a subject of intense debate. In parallel, and reflecting Mark Carney’s remarks in January at Davos, strategic choices will soon need be made about Europe’s alliances in R&I, and the degree to which cooperation with trusted, like-minded partner countries (near and far) will be integrated into the next MFF and funding instruments.
Against this backdrop, on June 16 Science|Business will convene members of its international Network, EU institutions and other key stakeholders for a set of cross-cutting, high-level debates about the future models of collaboration that will underpin the coming years in science and technology, both in European and international contexts.
At one level, the conference will naturally assess latest developments regarding the expected governance and alignment of the ECF and FP10, and whether the EU’s current model of public-private partnerships remains fit for purpose in pursuit of its longer-term objectives. Among the related themes to be considered: has the time come to embrace other, more disruptive instruments to support pre-competitive R&D? To what extent will collaborative, cross-border innovation be supported by the EU and member-states under the next MFF? Should more attention and investment be paid to the role of regional ecosystems and local partnerships in meeting a wide range of policy goals? And should FP10 enlarge its scope to allow other R&I funders to contribute, such as the philanthropic sector or venture capital funds? At another level, it will take a forward-looking view on the international dimensions of EU R&I programmes, and explore how the existing Horizon Europe association template will need to evolve for the EU to anchor a new ecosystem of global cooperation for security and prosperity, and to avoid finding itself in splendid isolation under the next MFF.
13:30 REGISTRATION AND COFFEE
14:00 WELCOME & OPENING REMARKS
- Maryline Fiaschi, Chief Executive Officer, Science|Business
14:05 KEYNOTE SESSION
Sovereign interests: A boost or a barrier to R&I strategy?
Live keynote / interview with a leading figure from the world of R&I about the continent’s strategic direction in science and technology, in line with the EU’s multiple demands for greater competitiveness, resilience, security and sovereignty.
Featured speaker:
- Robbert Dijkgraaf, President, International Science Council
14:30 PLENARY SESSION Beyond borders: Towards a true single market for innovation?
A session that addresses the prospects for creating a fully integrated European marketplace for innovation, as well as the critical role of national and regional agencies in connecting their pipelines and portfolios to wider EU agendas and objectives.
Featured speakers:
- Janet Geddes, Deputy Director, Global, Innovate UK
- Brit Helle, Director General, Eureka Secretariat
- Felix Moldovan, Public Affairs Manager, Quantum, AI and Energy, Novo Nordisk Foundation
15:10 SPOTLIGHT SESSION
Regional ecosystems: A blueprint for the future of collaborative R&I?
Featured speakers TBC
Supported by Brainport Eindhoven
15:30 COFFEE BREAK
16:00 PLENARY SESSION
Pooled resources: Is co-investment in R&I key to Europe’s future?
Given budgetary pressures and increasing competition for capital, this session addresses the growing need for synergies between EU and national funding instruments to support R&I across the full value chain, and in parallel the benefits of closer cooperation with private and philanthropic investors to bridge the gaps that public resources alone cannot fill.
Featured speakers:
- Benedicte Løseth, Executive Director, Research System and Internationalisation, Research Council of Norway
- Tatiana López Garrido, Deputy Head of Unit, Public Investment, DG GROW, European Commission
- Annika Thies, Head of the EU Project Office, DESY
- Sara Minucci, Chair, Research Forum, Philea
16:40 PLENARY SESSION
R&I partnerships: Will a radically new landscape take shape under the next MFF?
A closing session that takes stock of latest developments around the potential structure, governance and international dimensions of collaborative R&I in the EU’s next multi-year budget, drawing on the Council and Parliament’s emerging positions on the Commission’s proposals for ECF, FP10 and more.
Opening remarks by:
- Maria Cristina Russo, Deputy Director-General for Innovation, DG Research and Innovation, European Commission
Followed by a panel discussion featuring:
- Daan du Toit, Deputy Director-General, Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, Republic of South Africa
- Maria Cristina Russo, Deputy Director-General for Innovation, DG Research and Innovation, European Commission
- Hugo Thienpont, Vice President, Photonics21 and Full Professor, Vrije Universiteit Brussel
- Angels Orduña, Executive Director, A.SPIRE Processes4Planet
17:30 END OF CONFERENCE & NETWORKING RECEPTION
Due to limited capacity, registration for onsite participation is now closed. Online attendance remains available.
If you are a Science|Business Network member, please feel free to contact us directly.
The event will take place at KBR, Mont des Arts 28, 1000 Brussels
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