Support for the coordination of activities

TECHNOLOGY PLATFORMSthe Gateway to

Joint European Technology Initiatives

DEFINITION to

IMPLEMENTATION

Support for the coordination of activities

Three aspects…

1. Main features

2. Emerging experience

3. Implementation support from FP VII

Support for the coordination of activities

Technology Platforms: central concept

Framework to unite stakeholders around:

• a common vision and approach for the technology concerned

• definition of a Strategic Research Agenda

• mobilisation of a critical mass of research and innovation effort

Support for the coordination of activities

Technology Platforms:

characteristics Shared vision of all stakeholders : industry,

public authorities, research community, regulators, civil society and consumers

Mobilisation of public and private funding sources : Community Framework Programmes, Structural Funds, national, regional and private research funding, EIB, EUREKA

Education, training, communication, dissemination…

Support for the coordination of activities

The European Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology Platform (HFP)      ENIAC - European Nanoelectronics Initiative Advisory Council     

NanoMedicine - Nanotechnologies for Medical Applications      The Gas Cooled Reactors Technology Platform     

Plants for the Future      Water Supply and Sanitation Technology Platform (WSSTP)     

The European Technology Platform on Photovoltaic      Technology Platform on Sustainable Chemistry     

Innovative and Sustainable Use of Forest Resources       European Technology Platform for Global Animal Health (GAH)     ERTRAC European Road Transport Research Advisory Council     

ERRAC European Rail Research Advisory Council WATERBORNE Technology Platform (Supported by ACMARE Advisory Council).    

The Mobile and Wireless Communications Technology Platform (eMobility)     Innovative Medicines for Europe      Embedded Systems (ARTEMIS)      

ACARE - Advisory Council for Aeronautics Research in Europe     The European Space Technology Platform (ESTP)     

The European Steel Technology Platform      The European Technology Platform for the Future of: Textiles and Clothing (ETP-FTC)    

MANUFUTURE - Platform on Future Manufacturing Technologies       The European Construction Technology Platform (ECTP)      

EuMaT - European Technology Platform for Advanced Engineering Materials and Technologies      The European Technology Platform on Industrial Safety     

The NEM Initiative - European Initiative on NETWORKED and ELECTRONIC MEDIA     

Support for the coordination of activities

Implementation under FP 7

• Most research agenda implemented through existing Community instruments (some adaptation possibly needed)

• But limited number will be identified: - very ambitious - huge public and private investments - many thousands of researchers

• New mechanism needed

Support for the coordination of activities

Implementation under FP 7 (2)

• Propose the use of Treaty Article 171(Galileo may serve as a model)

The Article 171

« The Community may set up joint undertakings or any other structure necessary for the efficient execution of

Community research, technological development and demonstration programmes. »

Support for the coordination of activities

Implementation under FP 7 (3)

• Set up Joint Undertakings to:

- Manage funds from several sources - Large number of players involved - Conclude contractual arrangements

• Designate as:

« Joint European Technology Initiatives »

Support for the coordination of activities

Next steps

1. Discussions with Member States and other key stakeholders

2. Continue to support Technology Platforms in the run-up to FP VII

3. Further refine identification process

4. Include specific axis in FP VII proposal

Support for the coordination of activities

Poland reproduces EU Technology Platforms at home[Date: 2005-02-03]                             The popularity of EU Technology Platforms is evident. Since 2001, 22 platforms have been created, bringing together all interested parties in a given sector to develop a strategic research agenda.

While the initiative was originally intended by the European Commission to gather stakeholders from across Europe, individual countries are now beginning to recognise the national benefit that such platforms could bring, and are creating their own versions accordingly.

Poland is pioneering this course, and has now created 18 Technology Platforms of its own. Speaking to CORDIS News, Dr Andrzej Slawinski from the Polish National Contact Point (NCP) said that the reasons for transposing the EU initiative into Polish research policy are twofold. The government would like to prepare the Polish research community for participation in European activities, and also to help the country's research institutes to become more involved in the development of technology.

While Poland is one of the first countries to support national Technology Platforms, Dr Slawinski is sure that other countries will follow suit.

The 18 Polish Technology Platforms overlap thematically with those at EU level, but do not address exactly the same issues. Some of the national platforms are particularly relevant to Polish needs, explained Dr Slawinski.

And Poland is not stopping with the establishment of national Technology Platforms. The initiative will be funded through a national framework programme, said Dr Slawinski.

The Polish framework programme has not yet been full defined, and the work of the Technology Platforms will be central to their final configuration, explained Dr Slawinski. 'The Technology Platforms will prepare a strategic research agenda. This will be the core of the framework programme,' he said. Although no timeline has been formalised, Dr Slawinski expects the national framework programme to be put in place quickly.

While many of the Technology Platforms have been established recently, three have been operating for a year already. One such platform is that on construction technology. The group brings together all of Poland's largest construction companies and research institutes, and has provided the government with insights into how the other platforms should be structured.

Category: MiscellaneousData Source Provider: CORDIS News interview with Polish NCPDocument Reference: Based on a CORDIS News interview with a Polish NCPProgramme or Service Acronym: FUTURE RESEARCHSubject Index : Coordination, Cooperation; Construction Technology; Policies; Scientific Research

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