Horizon 2020 places a strong emphasis on innovation and the economic and social impact of its funded projects, specifically the need to bring new (or improved) products, services, processes and solutions to market. This approach requires the application of methodologies typical of the business sector, and calls upon academic and research representatives to strengthen their collaboration with industrial players.
The objective of this session is twofold: to highlight the relevance of the challenge and demand-led approach inherent to a Horizon 2020 project; and to describe the innovations that have been included in the new European Innovation Council Pilot 2019-2020. The related EIC Enhanced Pilot Work Program includes a number of existing funding schemes and some new schemes that will precede the Horizon Europe 2021-2027 programming. Specifically, funding opportunities for basic research (EIC Pathfinder FET Open and FET Proactive) will support ambitious collaborative research projects focusing on emerging technologies.
Financing opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (EIC Accelerator, the ex-SME Instrument) will be dedicated to companies and start-ups with a strong innovative drive, with the aim of accelerating their growth (scaling up) in European and global markets.