The Directorate General for Research in the European Union has been working on a framework for the setting up of Joint Technology Initiatives (JTIs). These are legal entities which are proposed as a new way of realising public-private partnerships in relevant industrial research and development fields at European level.
JTIs arise primarily from the work of the European Technology Platforms (ETPs). These are thematic, industry-led fora where stakeholders meet to define research and development priorities, timeframes and action plans on a number of strategically important issues. These typically focus on areas where achieving Europe's future growth, competitiveness and sustainability objectives is dependent upon major research and technological advances.
In a number of cases, ETPs have achieved such an ambitious scale and scope that they will require the mobilisation of public and private investments as well as substantial research resources to implement important elements of their ‘Strategic Research Agendas’. The EU is proposing the setting up of JTIs as an effective means.
JTIs will facilitate the creation of critical mass in the areas concerned by developing a coordinated approach to research across Europe. In doing so, they will strengthen the competitive position of European industry, thus making Europe a more attractive location for inward investment in research.
JTIs will facilitate the creation of critical mass in the areas concerned by developing a coordinated approach to research across Europe. In doing so, they will strengthen the competitive position of European industry, thus making Europe a more attractive location for inward investment in research.
In addition, by allowing funding from the Framework Programme to be combined with other public funding sources, JTIs are expected to have a significant leverage effect on private investment and related economic activity.
JTIs will be jointly funded by industry, member states and the EU, with the EU contribution coming from the FP7 Cooperation programme budget.
JTIs will be set up in fields of high industrial and policy significance. Based on a thorough andrigorous identification process, six fields have been identified where the setting up of a JTI could be of particular relevance.
These are:
- Fuel Cells and Hydrogen (FCH)
- Aeronautics and Air Transport (Clean Sky)
- Innovative Medicines (IMI)
- Nanoelectronics Technology 2020 (ENIAC)
- Embedded Computing Systems (ARTEMIS)
- Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES).
http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/art171_en.html