Latest Science|Business news & analysis
Welcome to the weekly Science|Business roundup of the most significant news in R&D policy and funding, tailored for our LinkedIn audience.?
This week’s main R&D policy news:?
On Tuesday, we saw the final rounds of parliamentary hearings and we have a few highlights.??
Commissioner designate Virkkunen moots a new EU quantum act, which would aim to pull together disparate EU quantum research. Under questioning by MEPs earlier this week, Henna Virkkunen argued that quantum technologies are a European strength, but that EU legislation is needed to consolidate individual member state programmes.?
Commissioner designate Stéphane Séjourné, up for the job of executive vice president for prosperity and industrial strategy, outlined his vision for the proposed European Competitiveness Fund on Tuesday, providing just as many questions as answers.?
Last week, Piotr Serafin, Commissioner-designate for budget, anti-fraud and public administration, played down rumours circulating in Brussels and denied reports the Commission is planning a complete overhaul of the EU budget, but said there should be fewer funds and these should be linked to national reforms.?
All hearings are now over but a political tussle inside the European Parliament might delay the final approval of the 27 commissioners by the end of the month.?
Until then, let’s get back to the nitty gritty of European research and innovation: EU auditors approve the accounts of the research partnerships but say some targets for private contributions may have to be lowered. Most notably, the European High Performance Computing (EuroHPC) JU, is a long way short of the target, with private partnership members making in-kind contributions of only €18.4 million, compared to a promised €420 million.??
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In funding news:??
As the complex negotiations on how to secure financing to mitigate climate change, adapt to its impacts and support the energy transition kick off at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, we take a look at how the EU is putting its money where its mouth is away from the negotiating table, in a recent €4.8 billion funding round for nascent clean technologies.?
?Next, Martin Greenacre investigates the rise of public funding for alternative protein research. Research into meat substitutes used to be dominated by industry. What’s changed??
Funding Radar this week brings a round up of digital-related calls, with opportunities in the EU, UK, Japan, Canada, Singapore, China and the US.?
In the Ecosystem column, Ian Mundell asks Europe’s innovators how they feel about having a European Commissioner assigned a ‘start-ups’ portfolio for the first time ever – and what it means for key sector policies.???
In Horizon Europe news, we have a free access article on how the Commission plans to spend €438 million on democracy, economics and culture research in 2025, according to draft work programme for Cluster 2. As always, you can find the leaked work programmes on our Horizon papers?page .?
And to help you brush up on the basics, we have a no-nonsense primer on public and private partnerships, straight from our Essential Guide to Horizon Europe. Don’t forget subscribers get complementary free access to the complete – and newly updated - 158-page guide.?
Finally, for Insider's View, we read the runes of leaked 2025 draft Horizon Europe programmes and conclude that those looking for grants should first study the EU policy it is hoped research funding will bring to life.??
Policy Bulletin
Commissioner designate Virkkunen moots EU quantum act
Act will aim to pull together disparate EU quantum research. During questioning by MEPs, Finnish candidate also backs dual use and basic research. Click here to read more
Stéphane Séjourné wants a more proactive industrial policy
More questions than answers, as candidate for EU industry portfolio outlines plans for office, but lacks detail on the Competitiveness Fund. Click here to read more
Budget commissioner-designate plays down talk of competitiveness mega fund
Piotr Serafin says the next EU budget should include fewer programmes, but avoids commenting on its precise structure or size. Click here to read more
Joint undertakings have mixed success in securing private resources
EU auditors approve the accounts of the research partnerships, but say some targets for private contributions may have to be lowered. Click here to read more
Funding Newswire
How EU Green Deal R&I funding and policy is backing COP29
As Commission heads to Baku for COP29, the EU’s €40B clean tech Innovation Fund reports rising funding rounds – and increasing interest. Click here to read more
Funding on the rise for alternative protein research
The sector has been dominated by private R&D, but public funding is increasing and has an essential role to play in the search for meat substitutes. Click here to read more
Funding Radar: This week’s round up of digital-related calls
Here’s a list of funding opportunities in the EU, UK, Japan, Canada, Singapore, the Republic of China, and the US. Click here to read more
The Ecosystem: research commissioner’s new start-up focus raises hopes of action
For the first time, ‘start-ups’ is in the job title, Now the start-up community expects progress with its policy agenda. Click here to read more
The Horizon Europe leaks: EU plans €438M for democracy, economics and culture research in 2025
‘Radicalisation and extremism’ and the rise of autocracies are a focus of next year’s draft work programme. Click here to read more
Essential guide: what is a Horizon Europe partnership?
A clear-cut primer to Horizon’s €24.9B industrial and public research partnerships, from the 5th edition of our Essential Guide to Horizon Europe. Click here to read more
Pro tip: study EU policy to understand research programming
Horizon Europe is becoming increasingly policy- and market-driven. Here are some lessons to be learnt from leaked 2025 work programmes. Click here to read more
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