Almost a year after the adoption of the “Horizon 2020” Programme by the European Parliament (November), the European Commission has for the first time submitted project demands within the research and innovation programme for which a budget of EUR 80 Billion has been set for the next multiannual programming period. In 2014-2015, the programme budget has been established at EUR 15 Billion.
EC has announced that financing for the first two years of the programme will be worth EUR 15 Billion, an amount dedicated to European economic stimulation based on knowledge and which approaches aspects that impact on the citizens’ life. Financing includes 12 areas focusing on the actions in 2014-2015, including sectors such as customized medical assistance, digital security and intelligent urban projects.
“It is time for action. Financing within Horizon 2020 is essential for the future of research and innovation in Europe and it will trigger growth, jobs and improve life quality. We have created the Horizon 2020 Programme to obtain results and we have eliminated bureaucratic barriers to facilitate participation in the programme. Therefore, I call on the researchers, the universities, the undertakings, including SMEs, as well as other entities to subscribe to the programme”, declared MáireGeoghegan-Quinn, the European Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science.
The majority of 2014 budget demands are opened to the submission of projects and other demands will be launched during the year. Only demands of the 2014 budget amount to a total of EUR 7.8 Billion, the financing being especially oriented to the three fundamental pillars of the Horizon 2020 Programme. EUR 3 Billion is available for the excellent science pillar, EUR 1.8 Billion for the industrial leadership position (including areas such as IT, nanotechnologies, advanced manufacturing systems, robotics, biotechnologies and space), and a fund of EUR 2.8 Billion is dedicated to societal challenges for the projects of the seven societal challenges within the Horizon 2020 Programme.
Within Horizon 2020, there will be separate demands published for specific partnerships with industrial sector and with member states. In 2014, the total budget allocated to research, including administrative elements and costs, will be of EUR 9.3 Billion and will increase to up to EUR 9.9 Billion in 2015. The final amount for 2015 is subject to the decision regarding the annual budget for 2015. Those who will submit projects for funds will benefit from a simpler structure of the programme and financing, a sole set of rules and a reduction of the task related to financial controls and audits.
Public transport is encouraged
“Intelligent cities and communities”, one of the 12 Horizon 2020 areas, financing research will be aimed at identifying solutions with high potential in sectors such as energy efficient, delivery of digital services and information for citizens or intelligent mobility services. The 2014 budget for this sector will be of EUR 92 Million.
Another area, “Mobility for growth”, will have a budget of EUR 375 Million for 2014. Transportation is responsible for 63% of oil consumption and 29% of total carbon dioxide emissions and congestion reduces the attractiveness of cities for both citizens and the business environment and has total costs of EUR 80 Billion per year in the EU.
Research and innovation for equipment elements and vehicle systems will increase the share of environmentally friendly transport, thus reducing fossil fuel consumption and improving air quality. The main objectives of Horizon 2020 in transport include the implementation of innovating systems regarding management and information systems, advanced travel services, efficient logistics, as well as construction and maintenance of technologies. For example, the first demands will finance projects aimed at developing new technologies for vehicles with low emissions, reducing congestion and improving intelligent mobility.
With investments worth EUR 6.3 Billion in Horizon 2020 (for the timeframe 2014-2020), the programme “Intelligent, eco-friendly and integrated transport” is the largest investment project in the transport research and innovation area. The objective is to transform the European transport system into a competitive and efficient system.
Through this investment programme, DG MOVE estimates that results will help reach the objective of reducing transport emissions by 60% by 2050. Within the European Commission, DG MOVE is one of the general directorates that implement the Horizon 2020 programme and will dedicate financing worth EUR 1.9 Billion in the programming period 2014-2020.
Reflecting the need of strategic implication in these investments, this amount will be dedicated to transport infrastructures, urban mobility (CIVITAS 2020), intelligent logistics systems and applications and will cover research in developing and integrating technologies, as well as demonstrative and innovating activates especially for collaboration actions. In order to acce-lerate project implementation, DG MOVE will develop policies and will invests the funds of Horizon 2020 to generate synergies with other national, international and regional programme, including the Connecting Europe Facility.
The initiation of Horizon 2020 Programme (in transport) means the launch of CIVITAS 2020: innovation for energy efficiency and competitiveness in urban mobility and transport.
Research and innovation actions will improve mobility in urban areas. Also, new mobility concepts will be developed and tested, as well as transport organisation, logistics and planning that will help reduce air and noise pollution, as well as energy efficiency. Public transport and non-moto-rised transport, as well as energy-efficient transport alternatives have to be widely developed to become real alternatives to motorised individual vehicles.
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