How could European Framework Programme 10 support the industrial innovation?

The #HorizonEU program (FP9) has brought about many opportunities for Research and Innovation actions, significantly impacting the #EU. However, I believe we cannot rest on our laurels, and perhaps it's worth asking ourselves, what more can we do?

In my opinion, there are still significant barriers preventing technological innovation from reaching the market and creating a greater economic impact on society. Traditionally, companies have been the drivers of this impact, and perhaps this is an area ripe for improvement in the future.

Currently, companies participate in the Innovation Actions promoted by Horizon Europe under pillar 2 and partially in some support schemes under pillars 3 (EIC) and 1 (Excellence science). However, we should question whether these tools are sufficient or not because of the expected outcomes/scope or the number or proposals funded in each topic.

If you look around, you will find many solvent companies willing to collaborate at the European level but unable to find suitable funding opportunities that fit with their needs.

In my view, we need new open support schemes for technological innovation among European companies of all sizes that are simpler and more effective in bringing joint business plans to the market.

While we do have some tools for start-ups (e.g., EIC Accelerator), enabling technologies (e.g., Pathfinder), and decentralized funding schemes (e.g., Eureka), frankly, they don't seem sufficient because:

1. They are constrained to certain technologies or business models.
2. They have heavy administrative procedures due to decentralized funding disparities.

We have learned a lot in the last 10 years, and I wonder if it wouldn't be possible for the EIC to promote in the future a more open support scheme for companies based on proprietary technology.

For example, technological innovation actions involving at least 3 companies from 3 different countries, with a 24-month scope, a controlled budget (e.g. < 3M€) with lump sum payment scheme, and a single-entry point at administrative level.

Such a scheme existed some years ago; it was called "Fast Track to Innovation." Perhaps it aimed to be too ambitious, it was tied to radical or disruptive technologies that introduced too much risk into the action. And

Nowadays the EIC pathfinder follows this spirit with low TRL disruptive/radical ideas, but I personally miss a call focused on industry cooperation.

A programme with a more prudent grant payment scheme for companies of any size such as 25% payment in advance, 15% upon milestones completion, and an additional 20% upon meeting business metrics after the implementation (as in the Innovation Fund) up to a total 60% grant could make a difference.

I hope you enjoyed the article and that you send me your comments. 😊