HORIZON BLOG: European R&D policy newsbytes

The US National Science Foundation said that, in the fiscal year beginning 1 October, it will start piloting new procedures for checking that research it funds isn’t taking unnecessary risks with national security.

Its new “Trusted Research Using Safeguards and Transparency (TRUST) framework” will help its grant officers check research projects on three levels: “assessing active personnel appointments and positions,…identifying instances of noncompliance with disclosure and other requirements,…(and) inclusion of potential foreseeable national security considerations.”

It didn’t provide more details about exactly how it will operate, beyond saying that it will start testing the new procedures on quantum science-related grantees before expanding it to other sensitive topics.

The initiative is the latest ratcheting-up of research security measures in the US, in the wake of mounting anxieties in Washington about China or other nations stealing sensitive scientific or technology secrets through collaboration with American researchers.

The NSF was mandated by the 2022 CHIPS & Science Act to raise safeguards. Most US allies, including the UK, EU, Canada and Australia, have also started toughening research security in measures coordinated through the Group of 7 leading industrial nations.

Read the NSF announcement here.

The European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) calls for more collaboration between research infrastructures (RIs) and academia to address the digital transition.

According to ESFRI’s Landscape Analysis 2024, “Competence development gaps, recruitment problems and the evolving nature of digital infrastructures underscore the necessity for RI-oriented prioritised skill development and training programmes.”

According to ESFRI, the European research ecosystem needs more strategic alignment, a deeper engagement with societal challenges, and support for cross-disciplinary research.

Read the ESFRI Landscape Analysis 2024 here.

Today, the League of European Research Universities (LERU) and other European research and innovation stakeholders released an open letter calling for increased R&I funding in the EU.

Investing in research and innovation is essential to address complex challenges like climate change, AI, and cybersecurity, and to ensure Europe's competitiveness and wellbeing, LERU says.

While North America and Asia have significantly increased their investments in R&I, LERU says, Europe is at risk of falling behind.

Since mid-May, some research lobbies have teamed up to make their requests louder and stronger under the Research Matters campaign.

The initiative urges European leaders to boost R&I funding by ring-fencing and doubling the budget for FP10, due to start in 2028, and increasing national funding for R&D, to reach over 3% of GDP in the EU27 and other European countries.

Read the full open letter here.

Today, the European Commission launched a new pilot programme to support the EU hydrogen market.

This mechanism will operate for five years under the European Hydrogen Bank, which will provide detailed market data on hydrogen supply and demand.

The procurement process for developing an IT platform to manage this mechanism has begun, with operations expected to start by mid-2025.

“Hydrogen is a strategic part of the EU's clean energy transition. It is vital not only for hitting our net-zero targets, but also for maintaining our competitiveness and preserving Europe's position as a leading global economic power,” said Maroš Šefčovič, executive vice-president for the Green Deal, interinstitutional relations and foresight.

“By facilitating the matchmaking between suppliers and consumers, we will contribute decisively to accelerating the development of Europe's nascent hydrogen sector,” Šefčovič said.

Read the full announcement here.

Today, the Commission announced that the Unitary Patent system launched in June 2023 registered over 27,000 patents in its first year.

The Unitary Patent system was designed to enhance the EU's innovation landscape by completing the Single Market for patents, simplifying the process for companies to protect their innovations, and reduce paperwork and administrative burdens for inventors.

Currently 17 EU Member States participate in the Unitary Patent system.

"Patents are essential for European innovation and competitiveness. The new Unitary Patent system provides a one-stop shop for the registration of  patents in Europe, making patent protection stronger, simpler and less  expensive – to the benefit of all companies, in particular SMEs," said Thierry Breton, EU commissioner for the internal market.

More details here.

Today, the European Commission approved a €2 billion Italian state aid measure to build and operate an integrated chip manufacturing plant for silicon carbide power devices by STMicroelectronics in Catania, Sicily.

Silicon carbide is a compound utilised in the production of wafers, which are foundational for certain microchips used in high-performance power devices like those in electric vehicles, fast-charging stations, renewable energy systems, and various industrial applications.

The €2 billion grant would contribute to the €5 billion overall budget of the project.

“The €2 billion Italian measure approved today supports a unique integrated facility for silicon carbide chips. It will strengthen the European semiconductors supply chain and ensure our access to a reliable source of power efficient chips used for example in electric vehicles and charging stations,” said Margrethe Vestager, executive vice-president in charge of competition policy.

Read the full announcement here.

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, the first Important Project of Common European Interest (‘IPCEI') to support research, innovation and the first industrial deployment of healthcare products, as well as innovative production processes of pharmaceuticals.

The project, called ‘IPCEI Med4Cure', was submitted by Belgium, France, Hungary, Italy, Slovakia and Spain.

The six countries will provide up to €1 billion in public funding, which is expected to unlock additional €5.9 billion in private investments. As part of this IPCEI, 13 companies with activities in one or more Member States, including nine SMEs, will undertake 14 projects.

More details here.

In a paper published this week, the German Research Foundation (DFG) says the next EU framework programme for research and innovation should have an ambitious budget and continue focusing primarily on excellence and openness.

DFG also calls for a dedicated budget reserve for emerging R&D priorities, a special intervention fund to support researchers at risk, and more targeted integration of adequate framework conditions for research in FP10.

According to the DFG, under the current framework programme Horizon Europe, research proposals that have been classified as excellent did not receive funding due to budget shortages. “This shows what an enormous demand there is for research and innovation in the EU,” said DFG president Katja Becker.

DFG is also proposing two new funding instruments for FP10. One of them would enable researchers to work on topics of their own choice in bottom-up, transnational research consortia. A second instrument proposed by the DFG seeks to achieve greater flexibility in the administration of joint calls for proposals through EU partnerships.

The full paper is available here.

Today, the European Commission announced the launching of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Office to promote the development, deployment, and use of AI.

The new AI office is one of the components of the EU’s AI Act, a new regulation that aims to harmonise rules on AI systems across 27 member states, protecting fundamental rights and EU values from the risks posed by the technology, while also boosting European innovation in the field.

“Together with developers and a scientific community, the office will evaluate and test general purpose AI to ensure that AI serves us as humans and uphold our European values,” said Margrethe Vestager, executive vice-president in charge of competition policy.

“With the new AI Office and its 140 talented women and men, the Commission will have the necessary expertise to drive the implementation of the AI Act and to reinforce Europe's role as a global standard-setter in AI,” said Thierry Breton, EU commissioner for internal market.

More details here.

The European Commission has announced €608.6 million in funding for consortia recruiting and training doctoral candidates as part of a new call for Doctoral Networks under the Horizon Europe’s Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA).

With this money, the EU hopes to fund 160 doctoral programmes across various scientific fields, which would provide employment, training, and skills development opportunities to around 2,400 researchers.

“These innovative networks provide researchers with transferable skills, enriching their career opportunities and boosting their international connections,” said EU research commissioner Iliana Ivanova.

More details here.