P8_TA(2018)0510

Programme implementing Horizon Europe***I

Amendments adopted by the European Parliament on 12 December 2018 on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on establishing the specific programme implementing Horizon Europe — the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (COM(2018)0436 — C8-0253/2018 — 2018/0225(COD)) (1)

(Ordinary legislative procedure: first reading)

(2020/C 388/40)

Amendment 1

Proposal for a decision

Citation 5 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment Having regard to the European Parliament’s report on the assessment of Horizon 2020 implementation in view of its interim evaluation and the 9th Framework Programme proposal,

Amendment 2

Proposal for a decision

Recital 3

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment (3) In order to ensure uniform conditions for the implementation of the Specific Programme, implementing powers should be conferred on the Commission to adopt work programmes for the implementation of the Specific Programme. Those powers should be exercised in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council (4) . (3) In order to ensure uniform conditions for the implementation of the Specific Programme, the Commission should be conferred delegated powers to adopt Strategic R&I Plans as well as implementing powers should be conferred on the Commission to adopt work programmes for the implementation of the Specific Programme. Those powers should be exercised in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council (4).

Amendment 3

Proposal for a decision

Recital 5

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment (5) Reflecting the importance of tackling climate change in line with the Union's commitments to implement the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, this Specific Programme will contribute to mainstream climate actions and to the achievement of an overall target of 25 % of the EU budget expenditures supporting climate objectives. Actions under this Specific Programme are expected to contribute 35 % of the overall financial envelope of the Specific Programme to climate objectives. Relevant actions will be identified during the Specific Programme's preparation and implementation, and reassessed in the context of the relevant evaluations and review processes. (5) Reflecting the importance of tackling climate change in line with the Union's commitments to implement the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, this Specific Programme will contribute to mainstream climate actions and to the achievement of an overall target of 25 % of the EU budget expenditures supporting climate objectives. Actions under this Specific Programme are expected to contribute at least 35 % of the overall financial envelope of the Specific Programme to EU climate objectives and commitments, where appropriate . Relevant actions will be identified during the Specific Programme's preparation and implementation, monitored, reported, and reassessed in the context of the relevant evaluations and review processes.

Amendment 4

Proposal for a decision

Recital 6

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment (6) The Specific Programme's actions should be used to address market failures or sub-optimal investment situations , in a proportionate manner, without duplicating or crowding out private financing and have a clear European added value . (6) The Specific Programme's actions should be used to reinforce, widen and extend the excellence of the Union's scientific and technological base, tackle major global challenges, increase the Union's industrial leadership, improve quality of life in the Union as well as boost investment, address market failures or sub-optimal investment situations , leveraging additional funding rather than crowding out private financing.

Amendment 5

Proposal for a decision

Recital 6 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment (6 a) Gender equality is an EU policy priority and a key societal challenge (UN SDG5). Furthermore, the goal of gender equality in society is a crucial driver for the social and industrial transformations required by other SDGs. Gender aspects thus should be appropriately integrated throughout the Programme and specific gender research should be also required to support the implementation and design of better EU gender equality policies.

Amendment 6

Proposal for a decision

Recital 6 b (new)

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment (6b) The Specific Programme should be implemented in a transparent, participatory and strategic way seeking involvement of stakeholders and civil society. Stakeholder representation and civil society involvement should be balanced, representing various backgrounds.

Amendment 7

Proposal for a decision

Recital 7

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment (7) Reflecting the important contribution that research and innovation should make to address challenges in food, agriculture, rural development and the bioeconomy, and to seize the corresponding research and innovation opportunities in close synergy with Common Agricultural Policy, relevant actions under the Specific Programme will be supported with EUR 10 billion for the cluster ‘Food and Natural Resources’ for the period 2021-2027. (7) Reflecting the important contribution that research and innovation should make to address challenges in food, agriculture, rural development and the bioeconomy, to make them more sustainable and to seize the corresponding research and innovation opportunities in close synergy with Common Agricultural Policy, relevant actions under the Specific Programme will be supported in a dedicated cluster ‘Food, Natural Resources and Agriculture ’ for the period 2021-2027.

Amendment 8

Proposal for a decision

Recital 7 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment (7 a) The European cultural and creative sectors build bridges between arts, culture, business and technology. Cultural heritage is an integral part of European cohesion and supports the link between tradition and innovation. Preserving cultural heritage and developing creative solutions, in particular in the field of digitalisation, will be a priority of Programme.

Amendment 9

Proposal for a decision

Recital 8

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment (8) The completion of the Digital Single Market and the growing opportunities from the convergence of digital and physical technologies requires a stepping up of investments. Horizon Europe will contribute to these efforts with a substantial increase of spending in main digital research and innovation activities compared to the Research and Innovation Framework Programme Horizon 2020 (6) . This should ensure that Europe remains at the forefront of global research and innovation in the digital field. (8) The completion of the Digital Single Market and the growing opportunities from the convergence of digital and physical technologies requires a stepping up of investments. Horizon Europe will contribute to these efforts with a dedicated cluster to ensure that Europe remains at the forefront of global research and innovation in the digital field.

Amendment 10

Proposal for a decision

Recital 8 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment (8a) Reflecting the importance to communicate better and to a wider audience the added value and the impact of EU actions, the Commission should increase its efforts towards the visibility of Horizon Europe. Similarly, beneficiaries should ensure to give visibility to their achievements from EU funding.

Amendment 11

Proposal for a decision

Recital 9

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment (9) The types of financing and the methods of implementation under this Decision shall be chosen on the basis of their ability to achieve the specific objectives of the actions and to deliver results, taking into account, in particular, the costs of controls, the administrative burden, and the expected risk of non-compliance. For grants, this shall include consideration of the use of lump sums, flat rates and scales of unit costs. deleted

Amendment 12

Proposal for a decision

Article 2

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment Article 2 Article 2 Operational objectives Operational objectives 1. The Specific Programme shall contribute to the general and specific objectives set out in Article 3 of Regulation … FP/RfP Regulation 1. The Specific Programme shall contribute to the general and specific objectives set out in Article 3 of Regulation … FP/RfP Regulation 2. The Specific Programme has the following operational objectives: 2. The Specific Programme has the following operational objectives: (a) reinforcing and spreading excellence; (a) strengthening and widening Europe’s scientific and technological base, reinforcing and spreading excellence; (b) increasing collaboration across sectors and disciplines; (b) increasing collaboration across sectors and disciplines; (c) connecting and developing research infrastructures across the European research area; (c) connecting, developing and facilitating wide access, including virtually, to research infrastructures across the European Research Area; (d) strengthening international cooperation; (d) strengthening international cooperation in S&T to support the Union's excellence; (e) attracting, training and retaining researchers and innovators in the European Research Area , including through mobility of researchers; (e) attracting, training and retaining EU and international researchers and innovators, including through mobility of researchers , with the aim of establishing the European Research Area as the world's most excellent and competitive ; (f) fostering open science and ensuring visibility to the public and open access to results; (f) fostering open science and open access to results; (g) actively disseminating and exploiting results, in particular for policy development; (g) actively disseminating and exploiting results, in particular for policy development; (h) supporting the implementation of Union policy priorities; (h) supporting the implementation of Union policy goals and priorities; (i) reinforcing the link between research and innovation and other policies, including Sustainable Development Goals; (i) reinforcing the link between research, innovation , education, and other policies, including the Sustainable Development Goals and Paris Agreement ; (j) delivering, through R&I missions, on ambitious goals within a set timeframe; (j) delivering, through R&I missions, on ambitious goals within a set timeframe; (k) involving citizens and end-users in co-design and co-creation processes; (k) involving relevant R&I stakeholders, including citizens , academia, research organisations and industry, in the co-design and co-creation processes; (l) improving science communication. (l) improving science communication; (m) accelerating industrial transformation; (m) driving the EU’s industrial transformation to unlock the potential of Europe’s strategic sectors, such as Key Enabling Technologies ; (n) improving skills for innovation; (n) improving skills through training and fostering creativity for research and innovation; (o) stimulating the creation and scale-up of innovative companies, in particular SMEs; (o) stimulating the creation and scale-up of innovative companies, in particular start-ups and SMEs; (p) improving access to risk finance, in particular where the market does not provide viable financing. (p) improving access to risk finance , including through synergies with InvestEU , in particular where the market does not provide viable financing; (p a) strengthening gender mainstreaming and the integration of the gender dimension in research and innovation; (p b) maximising scientific, technological, societal and economic impact. 3. Within the objectives referred to in paragraph 2, account may be taken of new and unforeseen needs that arise during the period of implementation of the Specific Programme. That may, if duly justified, include responses to emerging opportunities, crises and threats, as well as responses to needs relating to the development of new Union policies. 3. Within the objectives referred to in paragraph 2, account may be taken of new and unforeseen needs that arise during the period of implementation of the Specific Programme. That may, if duly justified, include responses to emerging opportunities, crises and threats, as well as responses to needs relating to the development of new Union policies.

Amendment 13

Proposal for a decision

Article 3

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment Article 3 Article 3 Structure Structure 1. In accordance with Article 4(1) of Regulation … FP/RfP Regulation, the Specific Programme shall consist of the following parts: 1. In accordance with Article 4(1) of Regulation … FP/RfP Regulation, the Specific Programme shall consist of the following parts: (1) Pillar I ‘Open Science’ with the following components: (1) Pillar I ‘ Excellent and Open Science’ with the following components: (a) the European Research Council (ERC), as described in Annex I, Pillar I, section 1; (a) the European Research Council (ERC), as described in Annex I, Pillar I, section 1; (b) Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions (MSCA), as described in Annex I, Pillar I, section 2; (b) Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions (MSCA), as described in Annex I, Pillar I, section 2; (c) research infrastructures, as described in Annex I, Pillar I, section 3; (c) research infrastructures, as described in Annex I, Pillar I, section 3; (2) Pillar II ‘Global Challenges and Industrial Competitiveness’ with the following components : (2) Pillar II ‘Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness’ ; including a monobeneficiary, grant-based SME instrument as described in Article 43a of the Regulation and Annex I of the Specific Programme : (a) cluster ‘Health’, as described in Annex I, Pillar II, section 1; (a) cluster ‘Health’, as described in Annex I, Pillar II, section 1; (b) cluster ‘Inclusive and Secure Society’, as described in Annex I, Pillar II, section 2; (b) cluster ‘Inclusive and Creative Society’, as described in Annex I, Pillar II, section 2; (b a) cluster ‘Secure Society’ (c) cluster ‘Digital and Industry’, as described in Annex I, Pillar II, section 3; (c) cluster ‘Digital, Industry and Space ’, as described in Annex I, Pillar II, section 3; (d) cluster ‘Climate, Energy and Mobility’, as described in Annex I, Pillar II, section 4; (d) cluster ‘Climate, Energy and Mobility’, as described in Annex I, Pillar II, section 4; (e) cluster Food and Natural Resources', as described in Annex I, Pillar II, section 5; (e) cluster Food, Natural Resources and Agriculture , as described in Annex I, Pillar II, section 5; (f) non-nuclear direct actions of the Joint Research Centre (JRC), as described in Annex I, Pillar II, section 6; (f) non-nuclear direct actions of the Joint Research Centre (JRC), as described in Annex I, Pillar II, section 6; (3) Pillar III ‘ Open Innovation ’ with the following components: (3) Pillar III ‘ Innovative Europe ’ with the following components: (a) the European Innovation Council (EIC), as described in Annex I, Pillar III, section 1; (a) the European Innovation Council (EIC), as described in Annex I, Pillar III, section 1; including European innovation ecosystems, as described in Annex I, Pillar III, section 2; (b) European innovation ecosystems, as described in Annex I, Pillar III, section 2; deleted (c) the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), as described in Annex I, Pillar III, section 3. (b) the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), as described in Annex I, Pillar III, section 3 ; (4) Part ‘Strengthening the European Research Area’ with the following components: (4) Part ‘Strengthening the European Research Area’ with the following components: (a) sharing excellence, as described in Annex I, Part ‘Strengthening the European Research Area’, section 1; (a) spreading excellence and widening participation , as described in Annex I, Part ‘Strengthening the European Research Area’, section 1; (b) reforming and enhancing the European R&I system, as described in Annex I, Part ‘Strengthening the European Research Area’, section 2. (b) reforming and enhancing the European R&I system, as described in Annex I, Part ‘Strengthening the European Research Area’, section 2. 2. The activities to be carried out under the parts referred to in paragraph 1 are set out in Annex I. 2. The activities to be carried out under the parts referred to in paragraph 1 are set out in Annex I.

Amendment 14

Proposal for a decision

Article 4

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment Article 4 Article 4 Budget Budget 1. In accordance with Article 9(1)of Regulation … FP/RfP Regulation, the financial envelope for the implementation of the Specific Programme for the period 2021 to 2027 shall be EUR 94 100 000 000 in current prices. 1. In accordance with Article 9(1)of Regulation … FP/RfP Regulation, the financial envelope for the implementation of the Specific Programme for the period 2021 to 2027 shall be 120 000 000 000 in 2018 prices. 2. The amount referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article shall be distributed among the components set out in Article 3(1) of this Decision in accordance with Article 9(2) of Regulation … FP/RfP Regulation. The arrangements of Article 9(3) to (8) of Regulation … FP/RfP Regulation shall apply. 2. The amount referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article shall be distributed among the components set out in Article 3(1) of this Decision in accordance with Article 9(2) of Regulation … FP/RfP Regulation. The arrangements of Article 9(3) to (8) of Regulation … FP/RfP Regulation shall apply.

Amendment 15

Proposal for a decision

Article 5

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment Article 5 Article 5 Missions Missions 1. For each mission, a mission board may be established. It shall be composed of around 15 high level individuals including relevant end-users' representatives. The mission board shall advise upon the following: 1. For each mission, a mission board shall be established for co-designing and steering implementation . It shall be composed of 15 to 20 independent high level individuals including R&I representatives from various sectors and disciplines, academia, research and technology organisations, industry of all sizes, national, regional authorities and civil society organisations. The members of the mission board shall be appointed by the Commission following an independent and transparent procedure, including an open call for expressions of interest . The mission board shall advise on the following: (a) content of work programmes and their revision as needed for achieving the mission objectives , in co-design with stakeholders and the public where relevant ; (a) content of relevant work programmes and their revision as needed for achieving the mission objectives; (b) adjustment actions, or termination if appropriate, based on implementation assessments of the mission; (b) adjustment actions, or termination if appropriate, based on implementation assessments of the mission; (c) selection of expert evaluators, briefing of expert evaluators and evaluation criteria and their weighting; (c) selection of expert evaluators, prevention of conflict of interest of expert evaluators, briefing of expert evaluators and evaluation criteria and their weighting in addition to the standard criteria, namely ‘excellence ; impact; and quality and efficiency of the implementation’; (d) framework conditions which help achieve the objectives of the mission; (d) framework conditions which help achieve the objectives of the mission in line with Union priorities ; (e) communication. (e) communication. (e a) clear and measurable mission targets and possible outcomes; (e b) evaluation of social impact and business potential of the mission; 2. Specific provisions to enable an efficient and flexible portfolio approach may be set out in the work programme provided for in Article 11. 2. Specific provisions to enable an efficient and flexible portfolio approach shall be set out in the work programme provided for in Article 11. 2 a. The content of the missions, details on the implementation, including their scope, indicators, measurable targets and milestones, estimated budget and synergies with other Union funds and links with European Partnerships shall be laid down in Strategic R&I Plans, as outlined in Annex I of this Decision. 2 b. Missions shall be implemented through open calls within the work programmes of the relevant clusters, calling for project proposals which are contributing to the mission and which are situated in one or more of the intervention areas of the clusters.

Amendment 16

Proposal for a decision

Article 6

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment Article 6 Article 6 European Research Council European Research Council 1. The Commission shall establish a European Research Council (‘ERC’), for implementing the actions under Pillar I ‘Open Science’ which relate to the ERC. The ERC shall succeed the ERC set up by Decision C(2013)1895 (7) . 1. The Commission shall establish a European Research Council (‘ERC’), for implementing the actions under Pillar I ' ‘Excellent and Open Science’ which relate to the ERC. The ERC shall succeed the ERC set up by Decision C(2013)1895 (7) . 2. The ERC shall be composed of the independent Scientific Council provided for in Article 7 and the dedicated implementation structure provided for in Article 8. 2. The ERC shall be composed of the independent Scientific Council provided for in Article 7 and the dedicated implementation structure provided for in Article 8. 3. The ERC shall have a President who shall be chosen from among senior and internationally respected scientists. 3. The ERC shall have a President who shall be chosen from among senior and internationally respected scientists. The President shall be appointed by the Commission following a transparent recruitment process involving an independent dedicated search committee, for a term of office limited to four years, renewable once. The recruitment process and the candidate selected shall have the approval of the Scientific Council. The President shall be appointed by the Commission following a transparent recruitment process involving an independent dedicated search committee, for a term of office limited to four years, renewable once. The recruitment process and the candidate selected shall have the approval of the Scientific Council. The President shall chair the Scientific Council and shall ensure its leadership and liaison with the dedicated implementation structure, and represent it in the world of science. The President shall chair the Scientific Council and shall ensure its leadership and liaison with the dedicated implementation structure, and represent it in the world of science. 4. The ERC shall operate according to the principles of scientific excellence, autonomy, efficiency, effectiveness, transparency and accountability. It shall ensure continuity with ERC actions conducted under Decision …/EC. 4. The ERC shall operate according to the principles of scientific excellence, autonomy, efficiency, effectiveness, transparency and accountability. It shall ensure continuity with ERC actions conducted under Decision …/EC. 5. The activities of the ERC shall support research carried out across all fields by individual and transnational teams in competition at the European level. 5. The activities of the ERC shall support research carried out across all fields by individual and transnational teams in competition at the European level. Support to innovation, i.e via the Proof of Concept scheme, should continue in order to encourage faster translation of new discoveries into commercial or socially valuable products, processes, and services. To contribute to this, excellent ERC applicants who have passed the threshold but could not be funded due to lack of resources are eligible to the proof of concept. 5 a. A seal of excellence shall be awarded to a beneficiary of the ERC proof of concept, if the proposal is eligible, has passed applicable thresholds and could not be funded. 6. The Commission shall act as the guarantor of the autonomy and integrity of the ERC and shall ensure the proper execution of the tasks entrusted to it. 6. The Commission shall act as the guarantor of the autonomy and integrity of the ERC and shall ensure the proper execution of the tasks entrusted to it. The Commission shall ensure that the implementation of the ERC actions is in accordance with the principles set out in paragraph 4 of this Article as well as with the overall strategy for the ERC, referred to in point (a) of Article 7(2), established by the Scientific Council. The Commission shall ensure that the implementation of the ERC actions is in accordance with the principles set out in paragraph 4 of this Article as well as with the overall strategy for the ERC, referred to in point (a) of Article 7(2), established by the Scientific Council.

Amendment 17

Proposal for a decision

Article 7

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment Article 7 Article 7 ERC Scientific Council ERC Scientific Council 1. The Scientific Council shall be composed of scientists, engineers and scholars of the highest repute and appropriate expertise, of both women and men in different age groups, ensuring a diversity of research areas and acting in their personal capacity, independent of extraneous interests. 1. The Scientific Council shall be composed of scientists, engineers and scholars of the highest repute and appropriate expertise ensuring a diversity of research areas and acting in their personal capacity, independent of extraneous interests. The members of the Scientific Council shall be appointed by the Commission, following an independent and transparent procedure for their identification agreed with the Scientific Council, including a consultation of the scientific community and a report to the European Parliament and the Council. The members of the Scientific Council shall be appointed by the Commission, following an independent and transparent procedure for their identification agreed with the Scientific Council, including a consultation of the scientific community and a report to the European Parliament and the Council. Their term of office shall be limited to four years, renewable once, on the basis of a rotating system which shall ensure the continuity of the work of the Scientific Council. Their term of office shall be limited to four years, renewable once, on the basis of a rotating system which shall ensure the continuity of the work of the Scientific Council. 2. The Scientific Council shall establish: 2. The Scientific Council shall establish: (a) the overall strategy for the ERC; (a) the overall strategy for the ERC; (b) the work programme for the implementation of the ERC activities; (b) the work programme for the implementation of the ERC activities; (c) the methods and procedures for peer review and proposal evaluation on the basis of which the proposals to be funded are determined; (c) the methods and procedures for peer review and proposal evaluation on the basis of which the proposals to be funded are determined; (d) its position on any matter which from a scientific perspective may enhance achievements and impact of the ERC and the quality of the research carried out; (d) its position on any matter which from a scientific perspective may enhance achievements and impact of the ERC and the quality of the research carried out; (e) a code of conduct addressing, inter alia, the avoidance of conflict of interests. The Commission shall depart from the positions established by the Scientific Council in accordance with points (a), (c), (d), and (e) of the first subparagraph only when it considers that the provisions of this Decision have not been respected. In that case, the Commission shall adopt measures to maintain continuity in the implementation of the specific programme and the achievements of its objectives, setting out the points of departure from the Scientific Council positions and duly motivating them. The Commission shall establish a code of conduct addressing, inter alia, the avoidance of conflict of interests and depart from the positions established by the Scientific Council in accordance with points (a), (c), and (d) of the first subparagraph only when it considers that the provisions of this Decision have not been respected. In that case, the Commission shall adopt measures to maintain continuity in the implementation of the specific programme and the achievements of its objectives, setting out the points of departure from the Scientific Council positions and duly motivating them. 3. The Scientific Council shall act in accordance with the mandate set out in Pillar I of Annex I, section 1. 3. The Scientific Council shall act in accordance with the mandate set out in Pillar I of Annex I, section 1. 4. The Scientific Council shall act exclusively in the interest of achieving the ERC , according to the principles set out in Article 6. It shall act with integrity and probity and carry out its work efficiently and with the greatest possible transparency. 4. The Scientific Council shall act exclusively in the interest of achieving the ERC’s goals , according to the principles set out in Article 6. It shall act with complete independence, integrity and probity and carry out its work efficiently and with the greatest possible transparency and openness maximising ERC’s contribution to achieving the EU R&I policy objectives and Horizon Europe’s goals in particular .

Amendment 18

Proposal for a decision

Article 9

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment Article 9 Article 9 The European Innovation Council The European Innovation Council 1. The Commission shall establish a European Innovation Council (EIC) for implementing actions under Pillar III ‘Open Innovation’ which relate to the EIC . The EIC shall operate according to the following principles: focus on breakthrough and disruptive innovation, autonomy, ability to take risk, efficiency, effectiveness, transparency and accountability. 1. The Commission shall establish a European Innovation Council (EIC) in accordance with article (7a) of the Regulation . 1 a. The EIC shall be built into two instruments, the Pathfinder and the Accelerator, as described in Annex I of this Decision. The EIC instruments shall be continously evaluated in order to support innovation in a systematic way. 1 b. Where appropriate, the EIC objectives and actions shall be linked to other parts of the Programme as well as to other national and Union Funds, in particular the EIT and InvestEU. 2. The EIC shall include the High Level Board (‘EIC Board’) provided for in Article 10. 2. The EIC shall include the High Level Board (‘EIC Board’) provided for in Article 10. 3. The Commission shall ensure that the implementation of the EIC is: 3. The Commission shall ensure that the implementation of the EIC is: (a) in accordance with the principles set out in paragraph 1 of this Article, taking due account of the opinion of the EIC Board on the overall strategy for the EIC, referred to Article 10(1)(a); and (a) in accordance with the principles set out in paragraph 1 of this Article, taking due account of the opinion of the EIC Board on the overall strategy for the EIC, referred to Article 10(1)(a); and (b) does not lead to distortions of competition contrary to the common interest. (b) does not lead to distortions of competition contrary to the common interest. 4. For the purpose of managing EIC blended finance, the Commission shall make use of indirect management, or where this is not possible, may establish a special purpose vehicle. The Commission shall seek to ensure the participation of other public and private investors. Where this is not possible at the initial set up, the special purpose vehicle will be structured in such a way that it can attract other public or private investors in order to increase the leverage effect of the Union contribution. 4. For the purpose of managing EIC blended finance, the Commission shall make use of indirect management, or where this is not possible, may establish a special purpose vehicle. The Commission shall seek to ensure the participation of other public and private investors. Where this is not possible at the initial set up, the special purpose vehicle will be structured in such a way that it can attract other public or private investors in order to increase the leverage effect of the Union contribution. 4 a. The Commission shall ensure cooperation between the EIC and EIT, especially through its KICs.

Amendment 19

Proposal for a decision

Article 10

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment Article 10 Article 10 The EIC Board The EIC Board 1. The EIC Board shall advise the Commission upon: 1. The EIC Board shall advise the Commission upon: (a) the overall strategy for the EIC component under Pillar III ‘ Open Innovation ’; (a) the overall strategy for the EIC component under Pillar III ‘ Innovative Europe ’; (b) the work programme for the implementation of the EIC actions; (b) the work programme for the implementation of the EIC actions; (c) the criteria for assessment of the innovativeness and risk profile of the proposals and the appropriate balance of grants, equity and other forms of financing for the EIC accelerator; (c) the criteria for assessment of the innovativeness and risk profile of the proposals and the appropriate balance of grants, equity and other forms of financing for the EIC accelerator; (d) the identification of strategic portfolio of projects; (d) the identification of strategic portfolio of projects; (e) the profile of programme managers. (e) the profile of programme managers. (e a) the systematic and continuous evaluation process of the EIC actions; 2. The EIC Board may upon request address recommendations to the Commission on: 2. The EIC Board may upon request , and wherever appropriate in coordination with the EIT Governing Board, address recommendations to the Commission on: (a) any matter which from an innovation perspective may enhance and foster innovation eco-systems across Europe, the achievements and impact of the objectives of the EIC component and the capacity of innovative firms to roll out their solutions; (a) any matter which from an innovation perspective may enhance and foster innovation eco-systems across Europe, the achievements and impact of the objectives of the EIC component and the capacity of innovative firms to roll out their solutions; (b) identify in cooperation with relevant Commission services possible regulatory barriers faced by entrepreneurs, in particular those awarded support under the EIC component; (b) identify in cooperation with relevant Commission services and the EIT possible regulatory barriers faced by entrepreneurs, in particular those awarded support under the EIC component; (c) emerging technology trends from EIC's portfolio, to inform the programming in other parts of the Specific Programme; (c) emerging technology trends from EIC's portfolio, to inform the programming in other parts of the Specific Programme; (d) identifying specific issues where advice from the EIC Board is needed. (d) identifying specific issues where advice from the EIC Board is needed. The EIC Board shall act in the interest of achieving the objectives of the EIC component . It shall act with integrity and probity and carry out its work efficiently and with transparency. The EIC Board shall act in the interest of achieving the objectives of the EIC taking into account EU’s industrial strategy, its competitiveness and global challenges . It shall act with integrity and probity and carry out its work efficiently and with transparency and openness, avoiding distortion of competition in the internal market . The EIC Board shall act in accordance with its mandate set out in Pillar III of Annex I, section 1. The EIC Board shall act in accordance with its mandate set out in Pillar III of Annex I, section 1. 3. The EIC Board shall be composed of 15 to 20 high level individuals drawn from various parts of Europe's innovation ecosystem, including entrepreneurs , corporate leaders , investors and researchers. It shall contribute to outreach actions, with EIC Board members striving to enhance the prestige of the EIC brand. 3. The EIC Board shall be composed of 15 to 20 independent high level individuals drawn from various parts of Europe's research and innovation ecosystem, including entrepreneurs from companies of all sizes, economists , investors, researchers and academic experts on innovation policy . It shall contribute to outreach actions, with EIC Board members striving to enhance the prestige of the EIC brand. The members of the EIC Board shall be appointed by the Commission, following an open call for nominations or for expression of interests or both, whichever the Commission will find more appropriate,, and taking into account the need for balance in expertise, gender, age and geographical distribution. The members of the EIC Board shall be appointed by the Commission, following an open call for nominations or for expression of interests or both, whichever the Commission will find more appropriate and taking into account the need for balance in expertise, gender, age and geographical distribution. Their term of office shall be limited to two years, renewable twice , with a rolling appointments system (members appointed every two years). Their term of office shall be limited to three years, renewable once , with a rolling appointments system ( half of the members exchanged every two years). 4. The EIC Board shall have a President who shall be appointed by the Commission following a transparent recruitment process. The President shall be a high profile public figure linked to the innovation world . 4. The EIC Board shall have a President who shall be appointed by the Commission following a transparent recruitment process. The President shall be a high profile figure with a proven expertise in research and innovation. The President shall be appointed for a term of office limited to four years, renewable once. The President shall be appointed for a term of office limited to three years, renewable once. The President shall chair the EIC Board, prepare its meetings, assign tasks to members, and may establish dedicated sub-groups, in particular to identify emerging technology trends from EIC's portfolio. He or she shall promote the EIC, act as interlocutor with the Commission and represent the EIC in the world of innovation. The Commission may provide for administrative support for the President to undertake his or her duties. The President shall chair the EIC Board, prepare its meetings, assign tasks to members, and may establish dedicated sub-groups, in particular to identify emerging technology trends from EIC's portfolio. He or she shall promote the EIC, its role in achieving the Programme and the Union’s R&I goals, act as interlocutor with the Commission and represent the EIC in the world of research and innovation. The Commission shall provide for administrative support for the President to undertake his or her duties. 5. A code of conduct addressing, inter alia, the avoidance of conflict of interests shall be established by the Commission. Members of the EIC Board are expected to accept the code of conduct upon assuming office. 5. A code of conduct addressing, inter alia, the avoidance of conflict of interests shall be established by the Commission. Members of the EIC Board must accept the code of conduct upon assuming office.

Amendment 20

Proposal for a decision

Article 11

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment Article 11 Article 11 Work programmes Strategic Planning and Work programmes -1. The implementation of the specific programme shall be based on Specific R&I Plans defined every two years, through delegated acts in accordance with Article 6 of the Regulation and following a transparent, inclusive and strategic multiannual planning process of research and innovation activities, in particular for the pillar ‘Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness’. Mandatory multi-stakeholder consultations with national authorities, the European Parliament, and RDI stakeholders’ representatives, including civil society, about priorities and the suitable types of action and forms of implementation, including for missions and European partnerships, shall ensure the necessary inter-disciplinary and cross-sectoral perspectives and alignment with other relevant existing initiatives at Union, national and regional level. This will contribute to leveraging additional private and public funding and thereby strengthening the ERA, as described in Annex I of this Decision. 1. The Programme shall be implemented by work programmes referred to in Article 110 of Financial Regulation. They shall be prepared following a strategic planning process as described in Annex I to this Decision. 1. Following the strategic R&I plan, the Programme shall be implemented by work programmes referred to in Article 110 of Financial Regulation. Work programmes shall set out, where applicable, the overall amount reserved for blending operations. Work programmes shall set out, where applicable, the overall amount reserved for blending operations. 2. The Commission shall adopt separate work programmes, by means of implementing acts, for the implementation of actions under the following components, as set out in Article 3(1) of this Decision: 2. The Commission shall adopt separate work programmes, by means of implementing acts, for the implementation of actions under the following components, as set out in Article 3(1) of this Decision: (a) the ERC, where the work programme shall be established by the Scientific Council under point (b) of Article 7(2), in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 12(3). The Commission shall depart from the work programme established by the Scientific Council only when it considers that it is not in accordance with the provisions of this Decision. In that case, the Commission shall adopt the work programme by means of an implementing act in in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 12(4). The Commission shall duly motivate this measure; (a) the ERC, where the work programme shall be established by the Scientific Council under point (b) of Article 7(2), in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 12(3). The Commission shall depart from the work programme established by the Scientific Council only when it considers that it is not in accordance with the provisions of this Decision. In that case, the Commission shall adopt the work programme by means of an implementing act in in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 12(4). The Commission shall duly motivate this measure; (b) all clusters under the pillar ‘Global Challenges and Industrial Competitiveness’, MSCA, research infrastructures, support to innovation ecosystems, sharing excellence and reforming and enhancing the European R&I System, in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 12(4); (b) all clusters under the pillar ‘Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness’, MSCA, research infrastructures, support to European innovation ecosystems, spreading excellence and widening participation, reforming and enhancing the European R&I System, in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 12(4); (c) the EIC, where the work programme shall be prepared following the advice of the EIC Board under point (b) of Article 10(1), in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 12(4); (c) the EIC, where the work programme shall be prepared following the advice of the EIC Board under point (b) of Article 10(1), in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 12(4); (d) the JRC, where the multi-annual work programme shall take into account the opinion provided by the Board of Governors of the JRC referred to in Decision 96/282/Euratom. (d) the JRC, where the multi-annual work programme shall take into account the opinion provided by the Board of Governors of the JRC referred to in Decision 96/282/Euratom. 3. In addition to requirement in Article 110 of the Financial Regulation, the work programmes referred to in paragraph 2 of this Article shall, as appropriate, contain: 3. In addition to requirement in Article 110 of the Financial Regulation, the work programmes referred to in paragraph 2 of this Article shall, as appropriate, contain: (a) an indication of the amount allocated to each action and mission and an indicative implementation timetable; (a) an indication of the amount and budgetary share in relation to the Programme allocated to each action, mission and European Partnership and an indicative implementation timetable; (b) for grants the priorities, the selection and award criteria and the relative weight of the different award criteria and the maximum rate of funding of the total eligible costs; (b) for grants the priorities, the selection and award criteria and the relative weight of the different award criteria and the maximum rate of funding of the total eligible costs; (c) the amount allocated to blended finance in accordance with Articles 41 to 43 of Regulation … FP/RfP Regulation: (c) the amount allocated to blended finance in accordance with Articles 41 to 43 of Regulation … FP/RfP Regulation; (d) any additional obligations for beneficiaries, in accordance with Articles 35 and 37 of the FP/RfP Regulation. (d) any additional obligations for beneficiaries, in accordance with Articles 35 and 37 of the FP/RfP Regulation.

Amendment 21

Proposal for a decision

Article 12 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment Article 12 a Steering Board for Health 1. The Commission shall establish a Steering Board for Health for implementing the actions under Pillar II ‘Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness’ which relates to ‘Health’. 2. The Steering Board for Health shall be composed of 15 to 20 high level individuals drawn from across disciplines and activities, in the fields of research, innovation, public health and wellbeing. 3. The Steering Board for Health shall focus on the following principles: coordination and synergies between EU and national health programmes, as well as between the Health cluster and other parts of Horizon Europe, including missions and partnerships. The Board shall promote patients and society engagement, providing scientific advice and recommendations. The actions should promote value-oriented health research, better health solutions and reduce health inequalities. 4. The Steering Board for Health shall contribute to: (a) the strategy for the cluster ‘Health’, (b) the blueprint for steering coordination and cooperation between the health programmes, the related pillars, such as the EIC, ERC, as well as within Strategic Partnerships and the EU structural funds. The blueprint shall ensure more visibility and coordination of the existing financial mechanisms allocated to health research, shall steer coordination and cooperation, and shall develop the work programmes and missions related to Health, (c) the methods and procedures for designing, selecting and implementation of the health missions, (d) providing for citizens’ participation and engagement in a bottom-up decision making process, (e) fostering sustainability in funding strategies and mechanisms allowing for long-term projects and ambitious missions, (f) ensuring fruitful transnational research collaborations that maximize the European potential and translate results into health systems, (g) increasing the use of multidisciplinary research between disease areas where commonalities exist and thereby decreasing duplication and isolated research, (h) increasing visibility of Horizon Europe and its benefit for EU citizens, addressing fragmentation of responsibilities for science and research within the EU governing bodies, streamlining the existing funding mechanisms. 5. The Steering Board for Health shall provide a comprehensive research strategy and steering in developing the work programmes and missions related to Health in complementarity with the dedicated mission Board. 6. The Steering Board for Health shall be an independent science-led stakeholder group, composed of actors from biomedical research and innovation, other relevant sectors of research and industry and with strong participation of patient representatives and citizens. 7. The members of the Steering Board for Health shall be appointed by the Commission, following an open call for nominations or for expression of interests or both, as appropriate, and taking into account the need for balance in expertise, gender, age and geographical distribution. Their term of office shall be limited to two years, renewable twice, with a rolling appointments system (members appointed every two years). 8. The Steering Board for Health shall have a Chair who shall be appointed by the Commission following a transparent recruitment process. The President shall be a high profile public figure linked to the health research field. 9. The activities and outcome of the Board shall be reviewed and reported in the Programme’s interim evaluation, where measures to prolong, adapt or close the group according to the review shall be identified.

Amendment 22

Proposal for a decision

Annex I — Programme activities

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment PROGRAMME ACTIVITIES PROGRAMME ACTIVITIES The following will be applied in the implementation of the Programme. The following will be applied in the implementation of the Programme. Strategic Planning Strategic Planning The implementation of Horizon Europe's programme-level objectives in an integrated manner will be ensured by multiannual Strategic Planning. Such planning will provide the focus on impact for the Programme overall and coherence between its different pillars, as well as synergy with other EU programmes and support to and from other EU policies. The implementation of Horizon Europe shall be steered by an inclusive and transparent strategic planning process of the research and innovation activities funded by the Programme. The Strategic Planning process shall lead to the implementation of Horizon Europe's programme objectives by defining the funding priorities. It will provide focus on impact for the Programme and coherence between its different pillars, as well as synergy with other EU programmes and support to other EU policies. The strategic planning process and the adoption of the strategic R&I plan by means of a delegated act will increase ownership and understanding for the purpose of the Programme by a wider public and will allow the co-legislators, stakeholders and Member States to be fully informed on the envisaged initiatives. The Strategic Planning process will help to develop and implement policy for the relevant areas covered, at Union level as well as complementing policies in the Member States while ensuring that main European policy targets are reflected and supported by Horizon Europe with adequate resources. It will allow simplification of the funding landscape, avoid duplication and overlaps between funding possibilities while leveraging additional private and public funding and promote faster dissemination and uptake of research and innovation results. A systemic, cross-disciplinary, cross-sectoral and cross-policy approach to research and innovation will ensure that societal and economic challenges can be tackled, knowledge is generated and where possible, give rise to new competitive and sustainable businesses and industries, social and technological innovation, fostering competition, stimulating private investments and preserving the level playing field in the internal market. The Strategic Planning will promote strong engagement with citizens and civil society organisations at all stages of research and innovation, the co-creation of knowledge, effective promotion of gender equality, including the integration of the gender dimension in research and innovation content , and will ensure and promote the adherence to the highest ethics and integrity standards. The Strategic Planning process will promote strong engagement with citizens and civil society organisations in research and innovation, the co-creation of knowledge, effective promotion of gender equality, including the integration of the gender dimension in research and innovation, and will promote the adherence to the highest ethics and integrity standards. It will include extensive consultations and exchanges with Member States, the European Parliament as appropriate, and with various stakeholders about priorities, including missions, under the ‘Global Challenges and Industrial Competitiveness’ pillar, and the suitable types of action to use , in particular European partnerships. In order to respond to those objectives, the Commission will launch an open consultation phase with Member States, the European Parliament , and a variety of stakeholders , including the scientific community, research and technology organisations, industry, civil society organisations, among others. The consultation will cover the Programme’s strategic priorities including missions under the Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness pillar, and the suitable types of instruments , in particular the European partnerships. Results of the consultation will be published on a dedicated web page, which should also provide the details on the content and process defining the Strategic Planning. As regards European partnerships, the Strategic R&I Plan will outline and give the rationale for the creation, merge and phasing out of the European partnerships. The positively reviewed Joint Technology Initiatives and Contractual Public Private Partnerships, should be considered for continuation beyond 2020 due to their added-value in delivering social and economic impact as well as leveraging private investment and their contribution to synergies of funds. On-going and potential new KICs will be defined in the legislative proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and the Council on the EIT Strategic Innovation Agenda, in line with the Strategic R&I Plan. Nevertheless, the creation of any new KIC should be subject to adequate funding, allowing the existing KICs to develop the ecosystems, build partnerships and pursue and implement efficiently their ambitious objectives. ‘FET Flagships’ supported under Horizon 2020 will continue to be supported under the Programme. As they present substantial analogies with missions, other ‘FET flagships’, may be supported under this Framework Programme as missions geared towards future and emerging technologies. The missions should strengthen the collaborative aspects of the Programme and complement existing European partnerships, which could work as supporting implementation pillars of the missions. The missions will have technological and societal elements and will also be defined in close cooperation with all relevant DGs. The Strategic Planning process will define the missions according to Article 7 of the Regulation and Article 5 of this Decision. Based on such extensive consultations, the Strategic Planning will identify common objectives and common areas for activities such as partnership areas (the proposed legal basis sets out only the instruments and criteria that will guide their use) and mission areas. The Strategic Planning will help to develop and realise the implementation of policy for the relevant areas covered, at EU level as well as complementing policy and policy approaches in the Member States. EU policy priorities will be taken into consideration during the Strategic Planning process to increase the contribution of research and innovation to the realisation of policy. It will also take into account foresight activities, studies and other scientific evidence and take account of relevant existing initiatives at EU and national level. The Strategic Planning will promote synergies between Horizon Europe and other Union Programmes, including the Euratom programme, thus becoming a point of reference for research and innovation in all related programmes across the EU budget and non-funding instruments. This will also promote faster dissemination and uptake of research and innovation results and avoid duplication and overlaps between funding possibilities. It will provide the frame for linking the direct research actions of the Joint Research Centre and other actions supported under the Programme, including the use of results for support to policy. The Strategic Planning process will identify existing links between Horizon Europe and other Union Programmes, and offer possibilities for synergies between EU, regional and national funds. Horizon Europe will become a point of reference for research and innovation in all related programmes across the EU budget in order to help deliver the EU’s political priorities and objectives. It will also provide the frame for linking the direct research actions of the Joint Research Centre and other actions supported under the Programme, including the use of results to support policy. A Strategic Plan will lay out a multiannual strategy for realising content in the work programme (as set out in Article 11), while retaining sufficient flexibility to respond rapidly to unexpected opportunities and crises. As Horizon Europe is a programme for 7 years, the economic, societal and policy context in which it will operate may change significantly during its life-time. Horizon Europe needs to be able to swiftly adapt to these changes. There will therefore be the possibility to include support for activities beyond the descriptions set out below, where this is duly justified, to address major developments or unforeseen events, policy needs, or crisis situations, for example in response to serious threats to health arising for example from epidemics. In the implementation of Horizon Europe, particular attention will be paid to ensuring a balanced and broad approach to research and innovation, which is not only limited to the development of new products processes and services on the basis of scientific and technological knowledge and breakthroughs, but also incorporates the use of existing technologies in novel applications and continuous improvement and non-technological and social innovation. A systemic, cross-disciplinary, cross-sectoral and cross-policy approach to research innovation will ensure that challenges can be tackled while also giving rise to new competitive businesses and industries, fostering competition, stimulating private investments and preserving the level playing field in the internal market. In the ‘Global Challenges and Industrial Competitiveness’ and the ‘Open Innovation’ Pillars, research and innovation will be complemented with activities which operate close to the end-users and the market, such as demonstration, piloting or proof-of-concept, excluding however commercialisation activities going beyond the research and innovation phase. This will also include support to demand-side activities that help accelerate the deployment and diffusion of a broad range of innovations. Emphasis will be put on non-prescriptive calls for proposals. Under the ‘Global Challenges and Industrial Competitiveness’ pillar, building on experience in Horizon 2020, the social sciences and the humanities will be fully integrated across all clusters, including specific and dedicated activities. Likewise, activities involving marine and maritime research and innovation will be implemented in a strategic and integrated manner in line with the EU Integrated Maritime Policy, the Common Fisheries Policy Policies and international commitments. ‘FET Flagships’ supported under Horizon 2020 will continue to be supported under this Programme. As they present substantial analogies with missions, other ‘FET flagships’, if any, will be supported under this Framework Programme as missions geared towards future and emerging technologies. Science and Technology Cooperation dialogues with the EU's international partners and policy dialogues with the main world regions will make important contributions to the systematic identification of opportunities for cooperation which, when combined with differentiation by country/region, will support priority setting. While the European Institute of Innovation and Technology's (EIT) focus on innovation ecosystems makes it naturally fit within the Open Innovation pillar of Horizon Europe, the planning of the EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) will be aligned through the Strategic Planning process with the Global Challenges and Industrial Competitiveness pillar. Fast Track to Research and Innovation Horizon Europe will provide the possibility for beneficiaries to apply for funding in a faster manner, where provided for in the Work Programme's of all clusters, EIC and ‘spreading excellence’, covering research and innovation activities. Building on the success of the existing Fast Track to Innovation instrument in Horizon 2020, this approach will have a bottom-up-driven logic on the basis of continuously open calls and ‘time to grant’ not exceeding six months. In the ‘spreading excellence’ part, this approach will support less developed EU countries to access funds in a faster and bottom-up manner. This modality will be applied to at least 15 % of the Programme’s budget. Dissemination and Communication Dissemination and Communication Horizon Europe will provide dedicated support for open access to scientific publications, to knowledge repositories and other data sources. Dissemination and knowledge diffusion actions will be supported, also from cooperation with other EU programmes, including clustering and packaging results and data in languages and formats for target audiences and networks for citizens, industry, public administrations, academia , civil society organisations, and policy makers. For this purpose, Horizon Europe may make use of advanced technologies and intelligence tools. Horizon Europe will provide dedicated support for open access to scientific publications, to knowledge repositories and other data sources. Dissemination and knowledge diffusion actions will be supported, also from cooperation with other EU programmes, including clustering and packaging results and data in languages and formats for target audiences and networks for citizens, industry, public administrations, scientific community , civil society organisations, and policy makers. For this purpose, Horizon Europe may make use of advanced technologies and intelligence tools. There will be appropriate support for mechanisms to communicate the programme to potential applicants (e.g. National Contact Points). There will be appropriate support for mechanisms to communicate the programme to potential applicants (e.g. National Contact Points). The Commission will also implement information and communication activities relating to Horizon Europe, to promote the fact that results were obtained with the support of EU funding. They will also seek to raise public awareness on the importance of research and innovation and the broader impact and relevance of EU funded research and innovation, by means of e.g. publications, media relations, events, knowledge repositories, databases, multi-channel platforms, websites or a targeted use of social media. Horizon Europe will also provide support to the beneficiaries to communicate their work and its impact to society at large. The Commission will also implement information and communication activities relating to Horizon Europe, to promote the fact that results were obtained with the support of EU funding. They will also seek to raise public awareness on the importance of research and innovation and the broader impact and relevance of EU funded research and innovation, by means of e.g. publications, media relations, events, knowledge repositories, databases, multi-channel platforms, websites or a targeted use of social media. Horizon Europe will also provide support to the beneficiaries to communicate their work and its impact to society at large. Exploitation and Market Uptake Exploitation and Market Uptake The Commission will establish comprehensive measures for exploitation of Horizon Europe results and the knowledge produced. This will accelerate exploitation towards market uptake and boost the impact of the Programme. The Commission will establish comprehensive measures for exploitation of Horizon Europe results and the knowledge produced , which will also include promoting standardisation . This will accelerate exploitation towards market uptake and boost the impact of the Programme. The Commission will systematically identify and record the results of the research and innovation activities under the Programme and transfer or disseminate these results and knowledge produced in a non-discriminatory fashion to industry and enterprises of all sizes, public administrations, academia , civil society organisations and policy-makers, in order to maximise the European added value of the Programme. The Commission will systematically identify and record the results of the research and innovation activities under the Programme and transfer or disseminate these results and knowledge produced in a non-discriminatory fashion to industry and enterprises of all sizes, public administrations, scientific community , civil society organisations and policy-makers, in order to maximise the European added value of the Programme. A specific monitoring procedure will be implemented for the new European Innovation Council. International Cooperation International Cooperation Greater impact will be obtained through aligning actions with other nations and regions of the world within an international cooperation effort of unprecedented scale. Based on mutual benefit, partners from across the world will be invited to join EU efforts as an integral part of initiatives in support of EU action for sustainability, reinforced research and innovation excellence, and competitiveness. Greater impact will be obtained through aligning actions with other nations and regions of the world within an international cooperation effort of unprecedented scale. Based on mutual benefit, partners from across the world , including the scientific community, industry, civil society organisations, governments and NGOs will be invited to join EU efforts as an integral part of initiatives in support of EU action for sustainability, reinforced research and innovation excellence, and competitiveness. The transfer of knowledge, sharing of capacity and infrastructure between the partners internationally will drive shared approaches and regulation that will bring synergistic trading to all parties. International joint action will ensure effective tackling of global societal challenges and Sustainable Development Goals, access to the world's best talents, expertise and resources, and enhanced supply and demand of innovative solutions. International joint action will ensure effective tackling of global challenges and Sustainable Development Goals, access to the world's best talents, expertise and resources, and enhanced supply and demand of innovative solutions. International collaboration will be designed around common goals. This will facilitate European researchers to engage with the best researchers in their field. Working Methodologies for Evaluation Working Methodologies for Evaluation The use of high quality independent expertise in the evaluation process underpins the engagement of the programme across all stakeholders, communities and interests, and is a prerequisite for maintaining the excellence and relevance of the funded activities. The use of high quality independent expertise in the evaluation process underpins the engagement of the programme across all stakeholders, communities and interests, and is a prerequisite for maintaining the excellence and relevance of the funded activities. The Commission or funding body will ensure the impartiality of the process, and avoid conflicts of interest in line with Article 61 of the Financial Regulation. The Commission or funding body will ensure the impartiality of the process, and avoid conflicts of interest in line with Article 61 of the Financial Regulation. Exceptionally, when justified by the requirement to appoint the best available experts and/or by the limited size of the pool of qualified experts, independent experts assisting or being members of the evaluation committee may evaluate specific proposals for which they declare a potential interest. In this case, the Commission or funding body shall take all necessary remedial measures to ensure the integrity of the evaluation process. The evaluation process will be managed accordingly, including a stage involving an interaction between diverse experts. The evaluation committee will take into account the particular circumstances when identifying proposals for funding. When justified by the requirement to appoint the best available experts and/or by the limited size of the pool of qualified experts, independent experts assisting or being members of the evaluation committee may evaluate specific proposals for which they declare a potential interest. In this case, the Commission or funding body shall take all necessary remedial measures to ensure the integrity of the evaluation process , including in regards to conflicts of interests . The evaluation process will be managed accordingly, including a stage involving an interaction between diverse experts. The use of this process will be reported in the annual monitoring report of the Programme. The evaluation committee will take into account the particular circumstances when identifying proposals for funding.

Amendment 23

Proposal for a decision

Annex I — part I

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment I OPEN SCIENCE I EXCELLENT AND OPEN SCIENCE The search for breakthroughs in understanding and the acquisition of knowledge; the world class facilities needed to achieve this including physical and knowledge infrastructures for research and innovation as well as the means to openly disseminate and share knowledge; and an adequate supply of excellent researchers; are at the very heart of economic, social and cultural progress in all its forms. The search for breakthroughs in understanding and the acquisition of knowledge; the world class facilities needed to achieve this including physical and e-infrastructures for research and innovation as well as the means to openly disseminate and share knowledge; and an adequate supply of excellent researchers and innovators ; are at the very heart of economic, social and cultural progress in all its forms. Open and excellent science is inextricably linked to the achievement of world leading innovation. Scientific and technological paradigm shifts have been identified as key drivers for productivity growth, competitiveness, wealth, sustainable development and social progress. Such paradigm shifts have historically tended to originate from the public-sector science base before going on to lay the foundations for whole new industries and sectors. Open and excellent science is inextricably linked to the achievement of world leading innovation. Scientific and technological paradigm shifts have been identified as key drivers for productivity , sustainable and inclusive growth and development , competitiveness, wealth, and social progress. Such paradigm shifts have historically tended to originate from the public-sector science base before going on to lay the foundations for whole new industries and sectors. Public investment in research, especially through universities and public research institutions (PRIs) and research facilities, often undertakes the longer-term, higher-risk research and complements the activities of the private sector. Besides this it creates skills , knowhow and experience, new scientific instruments and methodologies, as well creating the networks which transmit the latest knowledge. Public investment in research, especially through universities and public research institutions (PRIs) and research facilities, often undertakes the longer-term, higher-risk research and complements the activities of the private sector. Besides this it creates highly skilled human resources , knowhow and experience, new scientific instruments and methodologies, as well creating the networks which transmit the latest knowledge. European science and researchers have been and continue to be at the forefront in many areas. But this is not a position we can take for granted. There is ample evidence to show that as the pace of research continues to grow, so the number of countries competing to be the best is increasing as well. The traditional challenge from countries such as the United States is now being joined by economic giants such as China and India, from the newly industrialising parts of the world in particular, and from all countries where governments recognise the manifold and abundant returns which derive from investing in research. European science and researchers have been and continue to be at the forefront in many areas. But this is not a position we can take for granted. There is ample evidence to show that as the pace of research continues to grow, so the number of countries competing to be the best is increasing as well. The traditional challenge from countries such as the United States is now being joined by economic giants such as China and India, from the newly industrialising parts of the world in particular, and from all countries where governments recognise the manifold and abundant returns which derive from investing in research.

Amendment 24

Proposal for a decision

Annex I — part I — point 1 — point 1.1

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment 1.1. Rationale 1.1. Rationale Although the EU remains the largest producer of scientific publications in the world , it is essentially a ‘mass producer’ of knowledge with, relative to its size, comparatively few centres of excellence that standout at the world level and with large areas of average and poor performance . Compared with the US and now China to some degree, the EU still tends to follow a ‘distributed excellence model’ in which resources are spread across a larger number of researchers and research institutions Another challenge is that in many EU countries the public sector still does not offer sufficiently attractive conditions for the best researchers. These factors compound Europe's relative unattractiveness in the global competition for scientific talent. The EU remains the largest producer of scientific publications in the world. Compared with the US and now China to some degree, the EU follows a ‘distributed excellence model’ in which resources are spread across a larger number of researchers and research institutions. Another challenge is that in many EU countries the public sector investment in research is below any acceptable threshold and thus does not offer sufficiently attractive conditions for the best researchers. These factors compound Europe's relative unattractiveness in the global competition for scientific talent. The global research landscape is evolving dramatically and becoming increasingly multipolar as a result of a growing number of emerging countries, in particular China, expanding their scientific production. So whereas the EU and the United States accounted for nearly two-thirds of world expenditure on research and development in 2000, this share had fallen to less than half by 2013. The global research landscape is evolving dramatically and becoming increasingly multipolar as a result of a growing number of emerging countries, in particular China, expanding their scientific production. So whereas the EU and the United States accounted for nearly two-thirds of world expenditure on research and development in 2000, this share had fallen to less than half by 2013. In addition, the European Innovation Scoreboard 2018 confirmed that public and private R&D expenditures across the EU remains below 2010 levels and falls short in meeting the long-standing objective to devote 3 % of GDP to R&D activities. The ERC supports the best researchers with flexible, long-term funding to pursue ground breaking, high-gain/high-risk research. It operates autonomously led by an independent Scientific Council made up of scientists, engineers and scholars of the highest repute and appropriate expertise and diversity. The ERC is able to draw on a wider pool of talents and ideas than would be possible for any national scheme, reinforcing excellence through the way in which the best researchers and the best ideas compete against each other. The ERC supports the best researchers , including young researchers, with flexible, long-term funding to pursue ground breaking, high-gain/high-risk research. It operates autonomously led by an independent , gender and discipline-balanced, Scientific Council made up of scientists, engineers and scholars of the highest repute and appropriate expertise and diversity. The ERC is able to draw on a wider pool of talents and ideas than would be possible for any national scheme, reinforcing excellent research in all fields of science through the way in which the best researchers and the best ideas compete against each other. Frontier research funded by the ERC has a substantial direct impact in the form of advances at the frontiers of knowledge, opening the way to new and often unexpected scientific and technological results and new areas for research. In turn, this generates radically new ideas which drive innovation and business inventiveness and tackle societal challenges. The ERC also has a significant structural impact, driving up the quality of the European research system over and above the researchers and actions it funds directly. ERC-funded actions and researchers set an inspirational target for frontier research in Europe, raising its profile and making it more attractive for the best researchers worldwide as a place to work, and work with. The prestige of hosting ERC grant- holders creates competition between Europe's universities and research organisations to offer the most attractive conditions for top researchers and can indirectly help them to assess their relative strengths and weaknesses and bring about reforms. Frontier research funded by the ERC has a substantial direct impact in the form of advances at the frontiers of knowledge, opening the way to new and often unexpected scientific, technological and societal results and new areas for research. In turn, this generates radically new ideas which drive innovation and business inventiveness and tackle societal challenges. The ERC also has a significant structural impact, driving up the quality of the European research system over and above the researchers and actions it funds directly. ERC-funded actions and researchers set an inspirational target for frontier research in Europe, raising its profile and making it more attractive for the best researchers worldwide as a place to work, and work with. The prestige of hosting ERC grant- holders creates competition between Europe's universities and research organisations to offer the most attractive conditions for top researchers and can indirectly help them to assess their relative strengths and weaknesses and bring about reforms. The gap between the research performance of the US and the EU countries has narrowed over the 10 years since the ERC was established. The ERC funds a relatively small percentage of all European research, but from this achieves a disproportionally high scientific impact. The average citation impact of the research supported by the ERC is comparable to that of the world’s top elite research universities. The ERC’s research performance is extremely high when compared with the world’s largest research funders. The ERC funds a great deal of frontier research in many of the research areas that have received the highest numbers of citations, including those areas that are rapidly emerging. Although ERC funding is targeted to frontier research it has resulted in a substantial number of patents. The gap between the research performance of the US and the EU countries has narrowed over the 10 years since the ERC was established. The ERC funds a relatively small percentage of all European research, but from this achieves a disproportionally high scientific impact. The average citation impact of the research supported by the ERC is comparable to that of the world’s top elite research universities. The ERC’s research performance is extremely high when compared with the world’s largest research funders. The ERC funds a great deal of frontier research in many of the research areas that have received the highest numbers of citations, including those areas that are rapidly emerging. Although ERC funding is targeted to frontier research it has resulted in a substantial number of patents. So there is clear evidence that the ERC attracts and funds excellent researchers through its calls and ERC actions are producing a substantial number of the most significant and high impact research findings worldwide in emerging areas leading to breakthroughs and major advances. The work of ERC grantees is also highly interdisciplinary and ERC grantees collaborate internationally and publish their results openly across all fields of research including the social sciences and humanities. So there is clear evidence that the ERC attracts and funds excellent researchers through its calls and ERC actions are producing a substantial number of the most significant and high impact research findings worldwide in emerging areas leading to breakthroughs and major advances. The work of ERC grantees is expected also to become increasingly interdisciplinary and ERC grantees collaborate internationally and publish their results openly across all fields of research including the social sciences and humanities. There is also already evidence of the longer term impacts of ERC grants on careers, on training highly skilled postdocs and PhDs , on raising the global visibility and prestige of European research and on national research systems through its strong benchmarking effect. This effect is particularly valuable in the EU's distributed excellence model because ERC funded status can replace and serve as a more accurate indicator of research quality than recognition based on the status of institutions. This allows ambitious individuals, institutions, regions and countries to seize the initiative and scale up the research profiles in which they are particularly strong. There is also already evidence of the longer term impacts of ERC grants on careers, on training highly skilled researchers, doctoral and post doctoral degree holders , on raising the global visibility and prestige of European research and on national research systems through its strong benchmarking effect. This effect is particularly valuable in the EU's distributed excellence model because ERC funded status can replace and serve as a reliable indicator of research quality than recognition based on the status of institutions. This allows ambitious individuals, institutions, regions and countries to seize the initiative and scale up the research profiles in which they are particularly strong.

Amendment 25

Proposal for a decision

Annex I — part I — point 1 — point 1.2 — point 1.2.1

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment 1.2. Areas of intervention 1.2. Areas of intervention 1.2.1. Frontier Science 1.2.1. Frontier Science Research funded by the ERC is expected to lead to advances at the frontier of knowledge, with scientific publications of the highest quality, to research results with high societal and economic potential impact and with the ERC setting a clear and inspirational target for frontier research across the EU, Europe and internationally. Aiming to make the EU a more attractive environment for the world's best scientists, the ERC will target a measurable improvement in the EU's share of the world's top 1 % most highly cited publications, and aim at a substantial increase in the number of excellent researchers from outside Europe which it funds. ERC funding shall be awarded in accordance with the following well-established principles. Scientific excellence shall be the sole criterion on which ERC grants are awarded. The ERC shall operate on a ‘bottom-up’ basis without predetermined priorities. Research funded by the ERC is expected to lead to advances at the frontier of knowledge, with scientific publications of the highest quality, to research results with potential high societal, economic and environmental impact and with the ERC setting a clear and inspirational target for frontier research across the EU, Europe and internationally. Aiming to make the EU a more attractive environment for the world's best scientists, the ERC will target a measurable improvement in the EU's share of the world's top 1 % most highly cited publications, and aim at a substantial increase in the number of excellent researchers from outside Europe which it funds. ERC funding shall be awarded in accordance with the following well-established principles. Scientific excellence shall be the sole criterion on which ERC grants are awarded. The ERC shall operate on a ‘bottom-up’ basis without predetermined priorities. Broad Lines Broad Lines — Long-term funding to support excellent investigators and their research teams to pursue ground-breaking, high-gain/high-risk research; — Long-term funding to support excellent investigators and their research teams to pursue ground-breaking, high-gain/high-risk research; — Starting researchers with excellent ideas to make the transition to independence while consolidating their own research team or programme; — Starting researchers with excellent ideas to make the transition to independence while consolidating their own research team or programme; — New ways of working in the scientific world with the potential to create breakthrough results and facilitate commercial and social innovation potential of funded research; — New ways of working in the scientific world with the potential to create breakthrough results and facilitate commercial and social innovation potential of funded research; — Sharing experience and best practices with regional and national research funding agencies to promote the support of excellent researchers; — Sharing experience and best practices with regional and national research funding agencies as well as other Union bodies to promote the support of excellent researchers; — Raising the visibility of ERC programmes. — Raising the visibility of ERC programmes.

Amendment 26

Proposal for a decision

Annex I — part I — point 1 — point 1.3 — point 1.3.1 — paragraph 2 — point 2 — indent 4

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment — review and assess the ERC's achievements and the quality and impact of the research funded by the ERC and make recommendations for corrective or future actions; — periodically submit to external review and assessment the ERC's achievements and the quality and impact of the research funded by the ERC and accordingly, adopt recommendations and draw guidelines for corrective or future actions;

Amendment 27

Proposal for a decision

Annex I — part I — point 2 — point 2.1

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment 2.1. Rationale 2.1. Rationale Europe needs a highly-skilled and resilient human capital base in research and innovation that can easily adapt to and find sustainable solutions for future challenges, such as major demographic changes in Europe. To ensure excellence, researchers need to be mobile, collaborate and diffuse knowledge across countries, sectors and disciplines, with the right combination of knowledge and skills to tackle societal challenges and support innovation. Europe needs highly-skilled and resilient human resources in research and innovation that can easily adapt to and find sustainable solutions for current and future challenges, such as major demographic changes in Europe. To ensure excellence, researchers need to be mobile , have access to top quality infrastructure in many fields , collaborate and diffuse knowledge across countries, sectors and disciplines, with the right combination of knowledge and skills to tackle societal challenges and support innovation. Europe is a scientific powerhouse with around 1,8 million researchers working in thousands of universities, research centres and world-leading companies. However, it is estimated that the EU will need to train and employ at least one million new researchers by 2027 in order to achieve the targets beings set for increased investment in research and innovation. This need is particularly acute in the non-academic sector. The EU must reinforce its efforts to entice more young women and men to a career in research, to attract researchers from third countries, retain its own researchers and reintegrate European researchers working elsewhere back to Europe. In addition, in order to more widely spread excellence, the conditions under which researchers perform must be further improved throughout the European Research Area (ERA). In this respect, stronger links are needed notably with the European Education Area (EEdA), the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and European Social Fund (ESF+). Europe is a scientific powerhouse with around 1,8 million researchers working in thousands of universities, research centres and world-leading companies. However, it is estimated that the EU will need to train and employ at least one million new researchers by 2027 in order to achieve the targets beings set for increased investment in research and innovation. This need is particularly acute in the non-academic sector. The EU must reinforce its efforts to entice more young women and men to a career in research, to attract researchers from third countries, retain its own researchers and reintegrate European researchers working elsewhere back to Europe. To achieve these goals, attention should also be paid to schemes adding more flexibility for researchers of both sexes to ensure work-life balance. Mobility programs should also ensure effective equal opportunities and include specific measures to remove obstacles to the mobility of researches, in particular female ones. In addition, in order to ensure synergies and more widely spread excellence, the Seal of Excellence label will continue to be applied to calls under MSCA and the conditions under which researchers perform must be further improved throughout the European Research Area (ERA). In this respect, stronger links are needed notably with the European Education Area (EEdA), the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and European Social Fund (ESF+). These challenges can best be addressed at EU level due to their systemic nature and to the cross-country effort needed to solve them. These challenges can best be addressed at EU level due to their systemic nature and to the cross-country effort needed to solve them. The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) focus on excellent research that is fully bottom-up, open to any field of research and innovation from basic research up to market take-up and innovation services. This includes research fields covered under the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom). If specific needs arise and additional funding sources become available, the MSCA may target certain activities in specific challenges (incl. identified missions), types of research and innovation institutions, or geographical locations in order to respond to the evolution of Europe's requirements in terms of skills, research training, career development and knowledge sharing. The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) focus on excellent research that is fully bottom-up, open to any field of research and innovation from basic research up to market take-up and innovation services. This includes research fields covered under the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom). If specific needs arise and additional funding sources become available, the MSCA may target certain types of activities in specific challenges (incl. identified missions), and certain types of research and innovation institutions, or geographical locations in order to respond to the evolution of Europe's requirements in terms of skills, research training, career development and knowledge sharing. The MSCA are the main instrument at EU-level for attracting researchers from third countries to Europe, thus making a major contribution to global cooperation in research and innovation. Evidence shows that the MSCA not only have a positive impact on individuals, organisations, and at system level, but also yield high-impact and breakthrough research results while at the same time contributing significantly to societal as well as strategic challenges. Long-term investment in people pays off, as indicated by the number of Nobel Prize winners who have been either former MSCA fellows or supervisors. The MSCA , jointly with the ERC, are the main instruments at EU-level for attracting researchers from third countries to Europe, thus making a major contribution to global cooperation in research and innovation. Evidence shows that the MSCA not only have a positive impact on individuals, organisations, and at system level, but also yield high-impact and breakthrough research results while at the same time contributing significantly to societal as well as strategic challenges. Long-term investment in people pays off, as indicated by the number of Nobel Prize winners who have been either former MSCA fellows or supervisors. Through global research competition between scientists and between host organisations from both the academic and non-academic sector, and through the creation and sharing of high-quality knowledge across countries, sectors and disciplines, the MSCA contribute notably to the goals of the ‘Jobs, growth and investment’ agenda, the EU Global Strategy and to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Through global research competition between scientists and between host organisations from both the academic and non-academic sector, and through the creation and sharing of high-quality knowledge across countries, sectors and disciplines, the MSCA contribute notably to the goals of the ‘Jobs, growth and investment’ agenda, the EU Global Strategy and to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The MSCA contribute to making the ERA more effective, competitive and attractive on a global scale. This can be achieved by focusing on a new generation of highly-skilled researchers and providing support for emerging talent from across the EU and beyond; by fostering the diffusion and application of new knowledge and ideas to European policies, the economy and society, inter alia through improved science communication and public outreach measures; by facilitating cooperation between research-performing organisations; and by having a pronounced structuring impact on the ERA, advocating an open labour market and setting standards for quality training, attractive employment conditions and open recruitment for all researchers. The MSCA contribute to making the ERA more effective, competitive and attractive on a global scale. This can be achieved by focusing on a new generation of highly-skilled researchers and providing support for emerging talent from across the EU and beyond; by fostering the diffusion and application of new knowledge and ideas to European policies, the economy and society, inter alia through improved science communication and public outreach measures; by facilitating cooperation between research-performing organisations; and by having a pronounced structuring impact on the ERA, advocating an open labour market and setting standards for quality training, attractive employment conditions and open and transparent recruitment for all researchers.

Amendment 28

Proposal for a decision

Annex I — part I — point 2 — point 2.2 — point 2.2.2 — paragraph 1

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment The EU needs a strong, resilient and creative human resource base, with the right combination of skills to match the future needs of the labour market, to innovate and to convert knowledge and ideas into products and services for economic and social benefit. This can be achieved through training researchers to further develop their core research competences as well as enhance their transferable skills such as a creative and entrepreneurial mindset. This will allow them to face current and future global challenges, and improve their career prospects and innovation potential. The EU needs a strong, resilient and creative human resource base, with the right combination of skills to match the future needs of the labour market, to innovate and to convert knowledge and ideas into products and services for scientific, economic and social benefit. This can be achieved through training researchers to further develop their core research competences as well as enhance their transferable skills such as a creative and entrepreneurial mindset including the understanding of the benefits that standards bring to market new products and services . This will allow them to face current and future global challenges, and improve their career prospects and innovation potential. This can be achieved, where appropriate, in complementarity with the EIT’s educational activities.

Amendment 29

Proposal for a decision

Annex I — part I — point 2 — point 2.2 — point 2.2.3

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment 2.2.3. Strengthening Human Capital and Skills Development across the European Research Area 2.2.3. Strengthening Human Resources and Skills Development across the European Research Area In order to foster excellence, promote cooperation between research-performing organisations and create a positive structuring effect, high-quality training standards, good working conditions and effective career development of researchers need to be more widely spread across the ERA. This will help modernise or enhance research training programmes and systems as well as increasing institutions' worldwide attractiveness. In order to foster excellence, promote cooperation between research-performing organisations and create a positive structuring effect, high-quality training standards, good working conditions and effective career development of researchers need to be more widely spread across the ERA. This will help modernise or enhance research training programmes and systems as well as increasing institutions' worldwide attractiveness , developed in cooperation with other parts of Horizon Europe . Broad Lines Broad Lines — Training programmes to foster excellence and spread best practices across institutions and research and innovation systems; — Training programmes to foster excellence and spread best practices across institutions and research and innovation systems; — Cooperation, production and diffusion of knowledge within the EU and with third countries. — Coop