Monday, June 11, 2012

Horizon 2020 in Council discussions


The Competitiveness Council agreed on Horizon 2020 on 31 May. Deputy Director General, Lars Goldsmith states: 
"Private sector involvement in EU research programs has been steadily decreasing. Horizon 2020 has the opportunity to turn this development around. But we need to make the programs more relevant for companies and reduce administrative costs. It is by the involvement of private companies, that the investments can create growth." Furthermore, Horizon 2020 should deliver concrete results to the so-called "grand societal challenges". 

Already on 24 May,  the Research Council Working Group under the Danish presidency agreed overall but some delegations raised  questions that are reflected in the progress report: Regarding the award procedure and in particular, the single company funding in the SME instrument; the 20% overhead flat rate; or the joint ownership provisions for dissemination of results.

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