CECIMO signed a Joint Declaration on the next Research & Innovation Framework Programme (FP9)

Twenty-three Associations, representing industry and research institutes at the European level, signed a Joint Declaration. It outlines improvements for the next EU Research & Innovation Framework Programme (FP9) whose formal launch should take place in the first semester of 2018.

We call the European Institution to build on Horizon 2020’s achievements and make the FP9 an ambitious framework programme. We strongly believe that this means:

• Increasing significantly the overall EU budget for research and innovation in FP9 within the current discussion on the Multiannual Financial Framework,
• Focusing on a well-balanced three-pillar structure, while allocating an equivalent share of the budget to each pillar,
• Strengthening the EU industrial leadership to guarantee sustainable application and implementation of European research,
• Continuing financial incentives in form of grants for all actors of the value chain, including small & large companies.

Massive European R&I investment, both private and public, notably in applied research is one of the key answers to keep up with global competition. Despite many efforts, the EU (2.0%) is still lagging behind countries like Japan (3.6%) or the US (2.7%) in terms of R&D expenditures as a percentage of GDP, and China is catching up rapidly. With the highest share of R&D spending coming from the business sector, which accounts for 65% of all R&D spending in the EU, it is extremely important to significantly increase public spending both at EU and national levels and support the global competitiveness of European industries. In this context, European R&I Framework Programmes play a crucial role.

We are ready to strengthen our cooperation with the European Commission, the European Parliament, and the Council of the European Union to define and implement an ambitious FP9 with a strong focus on EU industrial leadership aiming at positioning Europe as a global industrial leader and safeguarding our growth and jobs.
Read the full declaration.