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TECHNOLOGY PLATFORMS

Context, Rationale and State of Play

Presentation

byJulie Sors

European Commission

Rotterdam, 21 April 2005

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Elements of Presentation

1. Main features of technology platforms

2. Emerging experience

3. Governance aspects

4. Community role

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Technology Platforms:Overall Concept

The

Stakeholders, led by industry, getting together to define a Strategic Research Agenda on a number of strategically important issues with high societal relevance where achieving Europe’s future growth, competitiveness and sustainability objectives is dependent upon major research and technological advances in the medium to long term.

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Technology Platforms: Rationale

• Contribute to Competitiveness (Lisbon goal)• Boost research performance

- ERA, 3% target• Positive impact on other Community policies• Concentrate efforts and address

fragmentation

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Technology Platforms: Central Concept

Framework to unite stakeholders around:

a common “vision” for the technology concerned

mobilisation of a critical mass of research and innovation effort

definition of a Strategic Research Agenda

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Technology Platforms: Characteristics

Address challenging issues for growth Embody major technological advances

- medium/long-term Bring Community added value Involve high research intensity Require a Common European approach

– research and technological development… to demonstration…..to, in the longer-term, market penetration

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Technology Platforms:Three Stages

Stage 1: Stakeholders get together Stage 2: Stakeholders define a

Strategic Research Agenda

Stage 3: Stakeholders implement the Strategic Research Agenda

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Emerging Topics for Platforms

• Radical Change in a Sector - example: Hydrogen / Fuel Cells

• Sustainable Development - example: Plant Genomics and Biotechnology

• Public Goods and Services - example: Innovative Medicines for Europe

• Strategic, High-Technology - example: Aeronautics

• Industrial Renewal - example: Steel

Currently +/- 20 Emerging Fields

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Governance Structure:Hydrogen/Fuel Cells Platform

• Overall Objective: Build Future “Hydrogen Economy”

• Advisory Council: Highest Level / Wide Range of Stakeholders

• Sub-Groups: Defining Strategic Research Agenda and Deployment Strategy

• Member States: Involved through “Mirror Group”

• Working Parties: Financial Engineering, Business Development, Public Awareness, Education and Training etc.

• Secretariat: Administrative Support

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Technology Platforms: Factors for Success (I)

Set out “Vision” before going ahead(is the platform approach the right one for this particular technology?)

Openness,Transparency,Communication(code of best practice recently established)

Consider financial aspects at early stage (mobilisation of a range of possible funding sources, including: Community Framework Programmes, Structural Funds, national, regional and private research funding, EIB, EUREKA)

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Technology Platforms: Factors for Success (II)

Operational focus at early stage (e. g. integration of relevant projects already completed or underway at European, national and regional levels)

Commitment of national authorities(« Mirror » Groups formed by several platforms)

Education and Training needs(numerous qualified researchers needed over a long period)

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Openness and Transparency

• Code of Good Practice

• Key Elements:- Rotation of Membership of

Advisory Council- Regular Stakeholder Meetings- Openness to Participation of New

Stakeholders- Dedicated Platform Website

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Technology Platforms: Commission Involvement

NOT: “Owner”, Steering or Directing Formally Labelling Bound by Views of Platforms

BUT: Fostering a “Bottom-Up” Approach Facilitating Guiding where Necessary

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Community Support Run-Up to FP7

FP6 can potentially support:

operational entities (Secretariat, Mirror Groups etc.)

projects suitable for bringing within the platform

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Community SupportDuring FP7

• Majority of Strategic Research Agendas Implemented through Existing Community Instruments (some adaptation possibly needed)

• Synergy between Strategic Research Agendas and Priorities for Thematic Research

• Limited Number of Long-Term Public-Private Partnerships – “Joint Technology Initiatives”

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Joint Technology Initiatives

The

May Take the Form of Joint Undertakings – Article 171 of the Treaty

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”

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Next Steps

1. Continue discussions with key stakeholders

2. Continue to facilitate the development of technology platforms in the run-up to FP7

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Further information

Website

www.cordis.lu/technology-platforms