Cooperation of Space NCPs as a Means to Optimise Services

First proposal for HORIZON 2020 – the FP7 follow-up programme

Horizon 2020 is the name of the follow-up programme of FP7 (Framework Programme 7).
The new programme for research and innovation will run from 2014 to 2020 with a total foreseen budget of € 80 billion. On 30 November 2011 the European Commission released their proposal for this new programme. According to this document a budget of € 1,7 billion is earmarked for Space research. In relation to FP7 this would mean a 20 % increase.

Horizon 2020 provides major simplification through a single set of rules. It will combine all research and innovation funding currently provided through the Framework Programmes for Research and Technical Development, the innovation related activities of the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP) and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT).

The adoption of Horizon 2020 will:

• Strengthen the EU’s position in science with a dedicated budget of € 24.6 billion. This will provide a boost to top-level research in Europe, including an increase in funding of 77 % for the very successful European Research Council (ERC).
   
• Strengthen industrial leadership in innovation € 17.9 billion. This includes major investment in key technologies, greater access to capital and support for SMEs.
   
• Provide € 31.7 billion to help address major concerns shared by all Europeans such as climate change, developing sustainable transport and mobility, making renewable energy more affordable, ensuring food safety and security, or coping with the challenge of an ageing population.

Horizon 2020 will tackle societal challenges by helping to bridge the gap between research and the market by, for example, helping innovative enterprise to develop their technological breakthroughs into viable products with real commercial potential. This market-driven approach will include creating partnerships with the private sector and Member States to bring together the resources needed.

The Space programme under HORZION 2020 foresees: „Enable European competitiveness, non-dependence and innovation in space activities“, „Enabling advances in space technologies“, „Enabling exploitation of space data“ and „Enabling European research in support of international space partnerships”.

Further Information