Poto?nik brings SMEs on board to plan next research framework programme

Janez Poto?nik is determined to anchor the next EU research
programme onto the Lisbon objectives, increase SME
participation and give industry more of a lead on thematic research
areas.

In an interview with EURACTIV, the Commissioner for Science and
Research Janez Poto?nik, presented the Commission’s plans for
the next Community Research Framework Programme, FP7. The
underlying principle of the Commission plan is
to use the framework programme to achieve the Lisbon
goals. In addition: 

• FP7 will be proposed for 7 years (instead of the ‘normal’ 5
  years). A mid-term review of the programme is foreseen
  (Mid-FP7 will coincide with the arrival of the next
  Commission).  
• The Commission will take SMEs fully on board in the FP7
  preparatory phase. A ‘sounding board’ board consisting of SMEs and
  other smaller actors is currently being put together to mirror the
  FP7 proposal well in advance.
• Co-operation on the FP7 thematic areas will be more
  industry-driven than in the previous FPs. It seems that a lot
  is expected from the ‘technology platforms’, which are
  expected to act as drivers of more public-private
  co-operation and as a means to increase the share of private
  funding for research. 
• The Commission will outsource some of the management
  of the FPs. 

In order to encourage private funding for
research, Commissioner Poto?nik said that he is for more
EU action on tax incentives, intellectual property rights
and in the domain of venture risk capital.  He also said
that the Commission is about to re-open the question of state aid
for pre-market and pre-competitive research funding. 

Click here to read the full interview
[in English only].

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