EU's AI Strategy Falls Short
The European Court of Auditors (ECA) has issued a critical report on the European Commission's (EC) strategy for artificial intelligence (AI), highlighting significant shortfalls. The report reveals that the EU underspent on AI by €600 million due to delays in the 2021 launch of Horizon Europe.
Key Failings Identified
The ECA's audit identifies several key issues that have hindered the EU's AI strategy:
- Lack of Post-Project Checks: There were insufficient mechanisms to monitor projects after their completion.
- Fragmented Management: A disorganised array of departments and agencies were responsible for AI policy, leading to inefficiencies.
- Inadequate Performance Indicators: The EC lacked an accurate overview of funded AI projects, impeding effective monitoring and evaluation.
Mihails Kozlovs, the ECA member who led the review, emphasised the need for the EC to enhance its focus on delivering results. "More than five years after adopting the EU AI plan, weaknesses in implementation and performance monitoring are still evident," he stated at a press conference.
EU Commission's Defence
In response, the EC defended its record, rejecting many of the ECA's proposals. The EC highlighted the establishment of the European AI Office, which aims to enforce the new AI Act and bolster support schemes. Despite these advancements, the ECA's findings come at a crucial time, as the EU continues to trail the US and China in AI development, particularly in patents and private investment.
Comparative Investment Figures
According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the US led in AI venture capital funding in 2023 with €55 billion, followed by China with €18 billion, and the EU with just €8 billion - a significant drop from 2022.
Historical Context and Strategy Implementation
The audit traces back to 2018 when European governments began releasing ambitious AI plans. The EC’s strategy included significant investments through the Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe programs. While nearly meeting its spending targets for 2018-2020, the EC fell short by €600 million for the 2021-22 period due to delays in Horizon Europe's adoption.
Expert Opinions
Robert Praas, an AI specialist at the CEPS think tank, deemed the audit an "accurate assessment" of the EU's slow progress in AI innovation. He attributed this to a gap between political ambition and implementation capability, suggesting that the EU's regulatory focus hindered its innovation potential.
Coordination and Fragmentation Issues
The ECA pointed out the absence of a central coordinating body for AI projects, leading to overlapping and fragmented efforts. For instance, three different AI taxonomy projects were funded by various EU bodies without coordination, exemplifying the management inefficiencies.
Performance and Exploitation Challenges
The audit highlighted that while Horizon projects were monitored during their lifetime, post-completion checks were lacking. In many cases, research did not translate into commercial applications. A cybersecurity project on autonomous cars, for instance, failed to commercialise despite an extensive 117-page exploitation plan.
Furthermore, the audit found that per €10 million spent on AI in Horizon 2020, only 0.65 patents were applied for, well below targets.
EC’s Response to Recommendations
The EC agreed to update its AI investment targets considering the rise of generative AI but rejected the ECA's calls for a new framework for tagging and tracking AI financial support, citing cost and burden concerns. It also dismissed the need for AI-specific performance targets, arguing that existing indicators under Horizon Europe and Digital Europe were sufficient given the fast-evolving nature of AI technologies.
The ECA’s report highlights the need for improved coordination, monitoring, and strategic focus if the EU is to enhance its competitive standing in the global AI landscape.
Empowering Women in Deep Tech: The Women TechEU Project Launches
The Women TechEU project is revolutionising support for women-led early-stage start-ups in the deep tech sector. This initiative is set to empower 160 talented female entrepreneurs from across the European Union and associated Horizon Europe countries, providing them with the tools and resources needed to excel as leaders in deep tech innovation.
Each selected entrepreneur will benefit from a substantial €75,000 grant, which offers non-diluting finance, meaning they won't have to give up any equity in their company. This financial support is complemented by a personalized business development program designed to foster growth and leadership in the deep tech field.
Building on the success of the earlier Women TechEU scheme managed by the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA) during 2021 and 2022, the project has now evolved into a full-scale cascade funding initiative. It is currently run by a consortium comprising diverse players from the EU's innovation ecosystem, including representatives from women entrepreneurs' groups and investors.
Over the next two years, the project will distribute a total of €12 million in non-diluting finance through four competitive calls. Each cohort of successful applicants will gain access to a suite of business development services over a six-month period. These services are designed to support the entrepreneurs in scaling their businesses effectively.
Key performance indicators (KPIs) will be developed collaboratively between the entrepreneurs and their coaches. Regular check-ins will ensure continuous progress and adaptation, preparing these start-ups for potential application to the prestigious EIC Accelerator scheme.
This initiative not only provides substantial financial backing but also creates a supportive ecosystem tailored to the unique needs of women in the high-stakes world of deep tech. The Women TechEU project is paving the way for a new generation of female leaders in technology and innovation.
The next deadline is on Monday, 20th May 2024. More information about the competition can be found here.
New release of EU Funding & Tenders Portal launched
The European Commission (EC) recently announced the launch of the latest iteration of the EU Funding & Tenders Portal, marking a significant milestone in its journey to enhance user experience. Drawing on the invaluable feedback from a diverse community of over 1.5 million users, which includes EU funding applicants, beneficiaries, tenderers, and experts, the EC has worked to implement improvements that cater to user needs and preferences.
This new release introduces a range of enhancements aimed at providing users with a more intuitive and immersive experience. Among the notable updates are refreshed interfaces across the Portal, with the homepage now prominently showcasing the EC's core services and functionalities. Powered by state-of-the-art technology, the funding page search engine has been revamped to deliver more precise and relevant results, ensuring users can easily discover funding opportunities that align with their interests and objectives.
For logged-in users, the EC has introduced affinity-based recommendations of 'calls for proposals,' tailored to their specific profile and preferences. This personalised approach ensures that users never miss out on relevant opportunities that could take their project forward. Additionally, to further streamline navigation, the EC has integrated a global search feature at the top right corner of the Portal, allowing users to quickly access the information with ease.
The EC’s commitment to continuous improvement means it is constantly striving to enhance user experience on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. To provide a comprehensive overview of all the latest updates and novelties, interested stakeholders are invited to watch a 3 minute informative video, which highlights the key enhancements and previews what's to come in the future.
The European Innovation Council Impact Report 2023: a €70 billion deep-tech portfolio
The European Innovation Council (EIC) has recently released its annual Impact Report for 2023, showcasing its pivotal role in nurturing deep tech innovation throughout Europe. The report emphasises the EIC's status as a key investor in European innovation, with investments exceeding €1.2 billion in 2023 alone. Notably, these investments have catalysed an additional €3.5 billion in capital, demonstrating the EIC's substantial leverage in mobilising funds for ground breaking projects.
One of the report's key highlights is the significant growth in the total portfolio value of enterprises supported by the EIC, which has grown to nearly €70 billion. This exponential increase reflects the EIC's success in identifying and supporting high-potential start ups and scaleups in the deep tech sector.
Iliana Ivanova, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, has lauded the EIC for its transformative impact on Europe's innovation landscape, emphasising the creation of a robust ecosystem conducive to critical technologies, which is vital for maintaining Europe's competitiveness on the global stage. Commissioner Ivanova said:
“The European Innovation Council (EIC) has emerged as a game-changer in supporting deep tech innovation in Europe. This Impact Report shows how the EIC supports the growth of high potential startups while at the same time building a European community of deep tech investors. This is crucial to ensuring the future of our companies and strengthening EU leadership in critical technologies.”
Moreover, the report highlights the EIC's role in driving the growth of supported companies, leading to substantial increases in valuation, employment rates, and revenue generation. Additionally, the EIC has played a crucial role in fostering unique innovations and facilitating strategic partnerships, further solidifying its position as a driving force in deep tech innovation across the continent.
Key impacts to date of the EIC include:
- An overall portfolio value of EIC supported companies of nearly €70 billion, an increase of over €20 billion in just over a year;
- Impact on scaling up companies, with over 150 “centaurs” (valuation above of €100 million), 15 of whom have a valuation above €500 million including 8 over €1 billion (unicorns);
- EIC companies averaging 35% employment growth and 68% revenue growth in the first 2 years following EIC support;
- Attracting over €12 billion of follow-on investments, primarily from venture capital, corporates, and national promotional banks.
- 1686 unique innovations generated from EIC research projects (Pathfinder and predecessors);
- EIC companies and projects matched to corporates, procurers and potential investors resulting in over 125 signed deals.
For those interested in delving deeper into the comprehensive document which offers insights into the EIC's activities, successes, and future directions, you can download it here: EIC Impact Report 2023. You can download the key impacts summary here: EIC Key Impacts 2023.
EIC Summit and R&I Week
The European Innovation Council Summit 2024, will take place on 18th and 19th March as part of the Research & Innovation week.
Celebrating the 40-year journey through the Research and Innovation Framework Programmes, the R&I Week 2024 will debate the future of R&I and shape the contribution to EU political priorities, in particular the EU Tech Sovereignty and Competitiveness.
Tuesday 19th March will be fully dedicated to EIC beneficiaries with workshops covering diverse issues for researchers and entrepreneurs, such as intellectual property rights, investments, or scaling up your company. Discover the full programme and list of speakers.
The R&I week also includes the Belgian Presidency event on Innovative Procurement, taking over from the EIC Summit on the late afternoon of 19 March and continuing until the afternoon of 20 March. After that, it’s the start of the Research and Innovation Days providing a full R&I related programme, closing at the end of 21st March.
To register, click here.
EIC Accelerator Updates
EIC Applicants that have received a ‘GO’ after submission of their short (Step 1) proposal can now familiarise themselves with the annexes in view of preparing their full application for the 13 March 2024 cut-off. These annexes include for example the simplified financial plan and equity needs, a detailed budget table for lump sum calculations and the ownership control declaration. In addition, ‘Part A’ of the full application form is being updated to ensure automatic collection of key data for the EIC, such as gender of the CEO/CTO/CSO of applicant companies, requested type of funding, and consent to share application data with EIC National Contact Points and the Enterprise Europe Network. This will further facilitate support to future applicants.
The updated Part A of the application form as well as all annexes are expected to be available on the Funding & Tenders Portal of the European Commission by mid February for eligible applicants who receive an automatic notification in the Funding and Tenders Portal with the submission links. In the meantime, applicants are advised to familiarise themselves with the application forms and annexes in preparation of their application, but to wait with uploading the forms until the final versions are available on the Funding and Tenders Portal.
Annexes for applicants to the EIC Accelerator full proposal:
Tpl_Annex_Mandatory data and consent (HE EIC Accelerator full application)
Tpl_Application Form (Part B) (HE EIC Accelerator full application)
Tpl_Detailed Budget Table (HE Lump Sum - EIC)
Tpl_Annex Ownership control declaration (HE EIC)
Tpl_Annex_Financial plan and equity needed (HE EIC Accelerator)
New EIC Board holds its first plenary meeting
The recent inaugural meeting of the new European Innovation Council (EIC) Board, held on January 10 and 11, 2024, in the prestigious imec facility in Leuven, Belgium, marks a significant milestone in the journey towards fostering innovation across Europe. This event symbolises the commitment of the European Union (EU) to spearhead innovation and sets the stage for strategic advancements in European research and innovation.
Appointed by the European Commission (EC) on December 13, 2023, the new EIC Board, under the leadership of its President, Michiel Scheffer, holds a pivotal role in guiding the direction of the EIC. The Board’s responsibilities extend beyond advisory roles; they encompass shaping the strategy, work programme, thematic portfolios, and, upon the Commission's request, advising on broader innovation policy matters. This structure ensures a comprehensive approach to innovation, integrating strategic insights with practical implementations.
The EIC Board is scheduled to convene five to six plenary meetings annually. These sessions are crucial for deliberating on the EIC's strategic and operational frameworks and advising the EC on various matters within their mandate. The recent meeting marked the first plenary session with the new Board membership. The primary agenda was to establish the priorities for the Board’s work in 2024, especially focusing on strategizing and implementing the EIC's objectives for the latter half of the 2024-27 programme. This session was attended by Iliana Ivanova, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education, and Youth, who engaged with Board members in a fruitful exchange on the EIC’s priorities within the broader context of EU policies and the mid-term review of Horizon Europe. Horizon Europe, the EU's flagship funding programme for research and innovation, is integral to the EIC's mission, underscoring the importance of aligning the EIC's strategies with the overarching goals of the EU.
The composition of the EIC Board reflects a blend of continuity and fresh perspectives. Members serve in a personal capacity, with their terms set for two years, renewable twice. This structure facilitates the rotation of approximately one-third of the members every two years, ensuring a dynamic infusion of ideas and experiences. The current Board, comprising 10 members with renewed mandates from the 2021-23 period and 10 new members selected from a reserve list, represents a diverse and experienced group of individuals committed to steering Europe towards a brighter, innovation-driven future.
The mandate of these new and renewed members, extending until December 2025, symbolises a period of opportunity and challenge. As Europe navigates through complexities of the modern world, the EIC Board's role becomes increasingly vital. It embodies a strategic think-tank, poised to influence the direction of European innovation, making substantial contributions to the development and implementation of policies that nurture research, innovation, and education.
As the Board embarks on its journey to shape the future of innovation, its decisions and strategies will undoubtedly play a critical role in determining the trajectory of Europe's innovation landscape. With a balanced mix of continuity and new insights, the EIC Board is well-positioned to drive significant advancements in research and innovation, ultimately contributing to the prosperity and competitiveness of the EU on the global stage.
It’s official: UK to associate to Horizon Europe
After more than two and a half years of uncertainty and negotiations, the UK government and the European Commission (EC) have reached a landmark agreement to enable the UK's association with Horizon Europe. This momentous announcement brings a sigh of relief to UK and EU scientists who have been in limbo since 2021, uncertain about their future in collaborative research endeavours. This article explores the significance of this agreement, its implications for UK scientists and researchers, and the rocky road that led to this crucial decision.
A Milestone Agreement
The joint statement released today (7th September 2023) by the UK government and the European Commission marks a turning point in UK-EU relations, particularly in the realm of scientific cooperation. EC President Ursula von der Leyen aptly described this agreement as proof of the EU and UK's status as key strategic partners and allies. This collaboration reaffirms their commitment to being leaders in global science and research.
Under the terms of this deal, UK scientists will regain access to European Research Council (ERC) grants and will be able to coordinate academic-industrial consortia within the Framework program. This move ends the period during which UK researchers had to rely on UK equivalent grants and funding, and it paves the way for seamless integration into Horizon Europe.
Addressing Past Uncertainties
While UK academics have been able to participate in industrially-focused Pillar 2 projects of the Horizon program, the uncertainty surrounding the UK's long-term involvement caused UK participation in the program to decrease significantly. This reduction raised concerns that UK scientists might be excluded from vital European academic networks that had been cultivated over decades.
UK-based winners of ERC grants faced a difficult choice between relocating to the EU to maintain their awards or settling for UK equivalent schemes. This decision was fraught with uncertainty and implications for both individuals and the broader scientific community.
The Long and Winding Road to Association
The journey to re-associate with Horizon Europe has been characterised by twists and turns, and it has been far from straightforward. Initially, the Horizon association was agreed upon in principle at the end of 2020, as part of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement that outlined post-Brexit relations between the UK and the EU. All that was required to formalize this association was the signature of both parties.
However, 2021 saw relations sour over the Northern Ireland issue, as the UK government threatened to suspend parts of the Northern Ireland Protocol. This protocol was designed to prevent customs checks on the island of Ireland and to ensure continued peace. The EC, in response to the unresolved Northern Ireland dispute, withheld its approval for the Horizon association.
The Horizon association became intertwined with broader political disputes, remaining elusive until February of the following year when the Windsor Framework addressed the Northern Ireland issue. Despite this progress, negotiations continued to stall, with the UK seeking assurances to prevent substantial financial losses from its late entry into the program.
Details of the Agreement
While today's announcement does not explicitly detail how negotiators resolved these financial concerns, it does mention a "temporary and automatic mechanism" designed to address any significant financial underperformance by the UK. If the UK contributes 16% more than its scientists receive in grants, this mechanism would activate. The UK is set to contribute "almost €2.6 billion" annually for its participation in Horizon Europe.
Additionally, the agreement confirms that the UK will remain part of the EU's Copernicus satellite system, despite initial concerns that the UK had already missed significant calls under the program. Copernicus plays a crucial role in understanding and addressing environmental and climate change-related challenges, making the UK's continued association valuable.
Euratom and ITER: The Missing Pieces
One notable absence in the UK's renewed association with European research initiatives is Euratom, the EU's nuclear research program. As a result, the UK will not participate in ITER, a multi-billion euro collaborative project located in France aimed at building a prototype fusion reactor. The decision not to re-join Euratom was guided by the UK's assessment that its industry's long absence from Euratom and ITER programs could not be reversed.
Instead, the UK will pursue a domestic fusion energy strategy with international collaboration, including partnerships with European counterparts. This alternative program is supported by substantial funding, up to £650 million until 2027, to ensure the UK's research interests and taxpayer funding align with its priorities.
Future Steps
The association deal reached between the UK and the EU will need to be ratified by member states through the Council of the EU, adding another layer of complexity to the process. However, this agreement signals a moment of reconciliation between the UK and the EU after the divisive Brexit debates that followed the 2016 Leave vote.
Conclusion
The UK's re-association with Horizon Europe is a significant milestone for the scientific community on both sides of the Channel. It marks a renewed commitment to collaboration, innovation, and scientific excellence. While challenges remain, including the ratification process, the agreement provides a glimmer of hope for UK scientists who can once again fully participate in Horizon Europe, ensuring the country remains at the forefront of global science and research. This development underscores the enduring power of science to bridge political divides and foster international cooperation for the greater good of humanity.
Horizon Europe Draft Work Programmes 2021-2027
Details have begun to emerge of what researchers can expect from the European Commission's next research and innovation framework programme, Horizon Europe. The final work programmes will not be published until April but the drafts give us a clearer idea of what the €95.5B programme will fund:
Pillar 1 - Excellent Science
The European Research Council - The ERC will continue to award Frontier Research and Proof of Concept grants, with the first funding calls planned for 20th May. Meanwhile, Synergy Grants are unlikely to be available until 2022.
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) - In Horizon 2020, the MSCA helped develop training networks, promote staff exchanges and fund mobility programmes. We expect the MSCA to work similarly in Horizon Europe but a draft is not yet available.
Research Infrastructures - European Research Infrastructures (EU RIs) are organisations that facilitate excellent science by providing access to cutting-edge technology and resources. We are awaiting further information on EU RIs as a work programme is not yet available.
Pillar 2 - Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness
Health Cluster - There are 16 calls for research planned for 2021-22. They relate to the following 6 topics: staying healthy; the environment and health; tackling diseases; access to healthcare; digital tools for health; and support for Europe’s health-related industries.
Culture, creativity and inclusive society - The cluster will focus on three areas of research from 2021-22: democracy and governance; European cultural heritage; and social and economic transformations.
Civil security for society - There will be calls for research into better protection against crime and terrorism, as well as effective management of external borders; infrastructure protection; increased cybersecurity; resilience to disasters; and strengthened security R&I.
Digital, industry and space cluster - Through fifteen research calls, the cluster will support enabling technologies which are important for Europe’s industrial future. The calls will include the following: increased autonomy in key-value chains, a secure and dynamic data-agile economy and human-centred development of technologies.
Climate, energy and mobility - In order to support the implementation of the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the cluster will launch calls in six areas. According to the draft work programmes, they include cross-sectoral solutions for the climate transition, clean and competitive solutions for transport, and smart mobility services for passengers and goods.
Food, Bioeconomy Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment - There will be 19 funding calls from 2021-22 in the following areas: biodiversity and ecosystem services; food systems, circular economy and bioeconomy sectors; clean environment; land, oceans and water; and rural, coastal and urban communities.
Pillar 3 - Innovative Europe
The European Innovation Council - Firstly, the Pathfinder will provide funding for advanced research on breakthrough technologies. Secondly, the Accelerator will enable SMEs to develop and scaleup breakthrough innovations. In addition, the Transition programme will help build on promising results from the Pathfinder or ERC Proof of Concept projects. The EIC also includes other calls and actions such as Fast Track to Innovation (FTI) and the Horizon Prizes.
Cross-cutting
Widening Participation - There are three key lines of action to boost research performance in under-performing regions: building R&I capacities, advancing the free circulation of knowledge and strengthening the European Research Area.
If you’d like more information or a copy of any of the above work programmes, please get in touch. In addition, you can subscribe to our newsletter to receive the latest information direct to your inbox.
European Innovation Agencies Make Plans to Strengthen Innovation
The European Innovation Council (EIC) and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) have signed a letter of intent to coordinate efforts and strengthen Europe’s innovation services, pledging to build a “more integrated and inclusive EU innovation ecosystem for the benefit of EU innovators.”
Potential areas of cooperation are currently being tested in three €1 million pilot projects. The innovation agencies will finalise their collaboration in Spring 2021, before rolling it out in 2022.
Context
The EIC and EIT are complementary organisations, working towards the shared goal of translating Europe’s research strengths into jobs and growth. However, they operate in different ways:
- The EIT focuses on the integration of higher education, research, and innovation to address global challenges set in Horizon Europe. It has eight designated Knowledge and Innovation Communities, each of which addresses a specific societal challenge.
- In contrast, the EIC provides financial support for innovators. Its focus is on all areas of disruptive and breakthrough market-creating innovation.
A closer working relationship between the two institutions will enable companies from underperforming countries to secure more funding. As a result, this will help narrow the innovation gap between east and west Europe.
Significance
EU research commissioner, Mariya Gabriel, has labeled the move “a stepping stone in creating the European Innovation Area.” It marks a recognition that European innovation is vital. Innovative ideas key to tackling major societal challenges, including Covid-19 and climate change. They can also help Europe regain its position as a world leader in the field of innovation.
Please note: Negotiations are still ongoing to determine the UK's participation in Horizon Europe, the EU's next funding programme for research and innovation. However, UK scientists, researchers, and businesses can still apply for funding from the European Green Deal, the last and biggest call under Horizon 2020. You can read more about this competition here.
Source: Science|Business