RESEARCH AND INNOVATIONS REDEFINED. PERSPECTIVES ON EUROPEAN UNION INITIATIVES AND STRATEGIC CHOICES ON HORIZON 2020
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| Title | RESEARCH AND INNOVATIONS REDEFINED. PERSPECTIVES ON EUROPEAN UNION INITIATIVES AND STRATEGIC CHOICES ON HORIZON 2020 |
| Authors | |
| Abstract | The article describes EU initiatives on Horizon 2020, a EU Framework Program based on Research and Innovation, which will be created to redefine cooperation in funding and scientific research of EU countries. Horizon 2020 is one of the main pillars of the so-called Innovation Union – one of the Flagship Initiatives of Europe 2020, which aims to increase Europe’s competitiveness in the world. The article defines types of strategic choices that strengthen support for technological innovation, investigate societal communication and foster excellence level in research through the support of scientists, coordination and development of an improved infrastructure of research resources and facilities in EU. The article also discusses the main economic aspects in correlation with political approach of the program. Horizon 2020 provides immediate stimulus to the economy and scientific and technology base and industrial competitiveness in the future, so that the UE society will function in a more intelligent and balanced way, and is also conducive to societal exclusion. The quantity based research will show, which out of 5 main strategic choices (business level, corporate level, internationalization, innovation & entrepreneurship, mergers & acquisitions) the companies in EU will follow to provide best results of the program in the EU countries. The funds of the Horizon 2020 will be used for three main purposes: support EU leadership in science with a budget of €24.6 billion (comprising 77 percent. increase resources to the European Research Council); provide European businessesat the forefront of industrial innovation (€17.9 billion) – this includes a significant investment of €13.7 billion EUR in key technologies, as well as better access to capital and support for SMEs; €31.7 billion will be spent on important issues relating to all Europeans, which is divided into six main issues: (1) health, demographic changes, welfare, (2) food safety, sustainable agriculture, marine research and environmental management, (3) environmental safety and efficient energy, (4) intelligent, organic and integrated transport, (5) climate actions, effective management of resources and raw materials, (6) integration, innovative and safe society. The main outcomes of the article show that most of the European companies consider Horizon 2020, the part of the Europe 2020, as one of the most important funding program of this century. This funding will also serve to promote international cooperation, which will enhance the attractiveness of the EU´s research, and enable the joint addressing global issues and to promote EU external policy. The analysis of possible synergy with funds awarded under the EU cohesion policy will be made in order to provide the greater number of participants across Europe. The weaker regions will identify potential centers of excellence, which will propose a strategic advisory and financial support under the program Horizon 2020, and the EU Structural Funds will be spent on upgrading infrastructure and equipment.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.eis.0.6.1426 |
| Publisher | Kaunas University of Technology |
| Date | 2012-07-26 |
| Source | European Integration Studies No 6 (2012) |
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