Seven public-private partnerships, established under the EU's new research funding programme Horizon 2020, are being launched today. They represent a total investment of €19.5 billion into research and innovation over the next seven years, where the EU contribution of €7.3 billion will unlock a €12.2 billion investment from the private sector and the Member States. Together with four more public-public partnerships with Member States, they form an Innovative Investment Package representing an investment into Europe's future of over €22 billion.
These partnerships work in a number of fields crucial for Europe's economic growth, creation of jobs, industrial competitiveness, and well-being of citizens. The first round of calls is worth a total of €1.13 billion in public funding, which will be complemented by a comparable amount from the private partners. The calls are competitive and open to the participation of companies, SMEs, universities, research organisations and others. The best projects are selected for funding through peer review. More...