Horizon 2020: 80 billion proposed by EC to research and innovation in a single programme stimulating growth and jobs
December 9 Horizon 2020 is the EU programme for research and innovation for the period 2014-2020 presented in Brussels on November 30th. The Commission proposal will now be discussed by the Council and the European Parliament, with a view to adoption before the end of 2013. Horizon 2020 represents the financial instrument to assure the implementation of "Union for Innovation" one of the flagship initiatives of Europe 2020, the EU's growth strategy for the next decade. EC proposed 80 billion investment in research and innovation under a single programme that brings together the Seventh Framework programme for Research (7PQ), Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP) the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), focusing on three pillars: scientific and technological research, competitiveness and social development. In detail, 24,6 billion will go towards scientific excellence, from the European Research Council (ERC) to Marie Curie Programme, 17,9 billion towards industrial leadership with a great support to SMEs and 31,7 billion will go towards "social challenges", from health to bioeconomy, to climate. Horizon 2020 as a single programme including for the first time all EU investments in research and innovation in an only contribution, has got the ambitious objective to stimulate economic growth and jobs. Horizon 2020 focuses more than ever on turning scientific breakthroughs into innovative products and services and at the same time on appealing more researchers thanks to simplified rules and procedures.