COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS ‘A European strategy for Key Enabling Technologies – A bridge to growth and jobs’
Date: 2012-06-26
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: competitiveness, economic growth, innovation, job creation, modernisation of industry, new technology, research and development, sustainable development

EUROPEAN COMMISSION 

Brussels, 26.6.2012  
COM(2012) 341 final 

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION 

TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN 
ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE 
REGIONS 

‘A European strategy for Key Enabling Technologies – A bridge to growth and jobs’ 

(Text with EEA relevance) 

EN 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
  
 
 
COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION 

TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN 
ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE 
REGIONS 

‘A European strategy for Key Enabling Technologies – A bridge to growth and jobs’ 

(Text with EEA relevance) 

1. 

INTRODUCTION 

The EU is determined to keep pace with its main international competitors and to achieve its 
Europe 2020 objectives. A key element to achieve this is to address major societal challenges 
with a world-class competitive industry. The capacity of the European Union to develop and 
industrially  deploy  Key  Enabling  Technologies  (KETs)  plays  an  important  role  in 
contributing to sustainable competitiveness and growth.  

The  European  Commission  is  convinced  that  beyond  the  essential  need  for  fiscal 
consolidation, further efforts are needed to boost growth, competitiveness and job creation. At 
the  March  2012  European  Council,  European  leaders  reinforced  this  approach,  specifically 
advocating the strengthening of Key Enabling Technologies (KETs)1.  

This  Communication  outlines  a  single  strategy  for  KETs  to  allow  maximum  exploitation  of 
the EU’s potential in competitive markets. Further, it provides feedback to the Parliament and 
the 
Council  following 
recommendations  of  the  High-Level  Expert  Group  on  Key  Enabling  Technologies  (HLG 
KETs)3. 

the  first  KETs  Communication2 

in  2009  and  responds 

to 

2. 

THE  ECONOMIC  CONTEXT –  THE  ROLE  OF KETS  FOR  ENHANCED  GROWTH  IN  THE 
EU 

The  Commission  defines  KETs  as  ‘knowledge  intensive  and  associated  with  high  R&D 
intensity,  rapid  innovation  cycles,  high  capital  expenditure  and  highly  skilled  employment. 

1 

2 

3 

See European Council Conclusions of 2 March 2012 request stepped up efforts in "strengthening key 
enabling  technologies  which  are  of  a  systemic  importance  for  the  innovativeness  of  industry  and  the 
whole economy". 
Preparing  for  our  future:  Developing  a  common  strategy  for  key  enabling  technologies  in  the  EU, 
COM(2009) 512. 
The  Commission  established  the  HLG  KETs  as  an  external  advisory  body  in  accordance  with 
COM(2009) 512. Its mandate was to (1) assess the competitive situation of the relevant technologies in 
the  EU  with  particular  focus  on  industrial  deployment  and  their  contribution  in  addressing  major 
societal challenges; (2) analyse in depth the available public and private R&D capacities for KETs in 
the EU (on all levels); and (3) propose specific policy recommendations for a more effective industrial 
deployment of KETs in the EU. 

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They  enable  process,  goods  and  service  innovation  throughout  the  economy  and  are  of 
systemic relevance. They are multidisciplinary, cutting across many technology areas with a 
trend  towards  convergence  and  integration.  KETs  can  assist  technology  leaders  in  other 
fields to capitalise on their research efforts’.4 Based on current research, economic analyses 
of market trends and their contribution to solving societal challenges, micro-/nanoelectronics, 
nanotechnology,  photonics,  advanced  materials,  industrial  biotechnology  and  advanced 
manufacturing technologies (recognised as a "cross-cutting" KET) have been identified as the 
EU's KETs. 

KETs  are  a  key  source  of  innovation.  They  provide  indispensable  technology  bricks  that 
enable a wide range of product applications, including those required for developing low 
carbon  energy  technologies,  improving  energy  and  resource  efficiency,  boosting  the  fight 
against climate change or allowing for healthy ageing.  

While  it  is  difficult  to  determine  the  exact  market  potentials  of  KETs  due  to  their  inherent 
ability  to  enable  advances  in  all  industries  and  sectors,  their  direct  economic  impact  is 
considerable.  The  Commission’s European Competitiveness Report 2010 indicated a  global 
current  market  volume  of  EUR  646  billion  (around  2006/2008),  which  is  projected  to 
grow to over EUR 1 trillion by 2015.5  

The  social  return  on  investments  from  KETs  is  substantial.  Case  studies  show  that  public 
investments can generate a return in additional taxes and social security contributions 
up  to  more  than  fourfold  the  initial  investment.6  Even  more  considerable  are  the 
applications  of  KETs  that  directly  and  indirectly  boost  competitiveness  and  generate 
jobs, growth and wealth in the economy.7  

KETs  feed  into  many  different  industrial  value  chains  and  sectors  in  heterogeneous  ways. 
They create value along the whole chain – from materials through equipment and devices, to 
products and services. Due to this transversal nature and systemic relevance to European 
industries, KETs will catalyse the strengthening and modernising of the industrial base as well 
as drive the development of entirely new industries in the coming years.  

This transversal and multifaceted role is mirrored by the number of SMEs active in KETs and 
the  number  of  high  quality  jobs  being  created.  For  example,  in  nanotechnology  alone, 
employment  estimates  show  that  in  2008  there  were  160.000  workers  globally.  This 

4 
5 

6 

7 

Current situation of key enabling technologies in Europe, SEC(2009) 1257.  
Original figures were, respectively, USD 830 – 970 billion and USD 1300 – 4400 billion, SEC(2010) 
1276, p. 176. 
For the period of 1994 to 2010, calculations showed that public support to micro- and nano-electronics 
in  terms  of  subsidies  and  grants  amounted  to  ca.  EUR  1.219  Bio.  in  Dresden.  The  return  in  terms  of 
taxes  was  calculated  at  EUR  1.956  Bio.  and  that  of  social  security  at  EUR  3.932  Bio.  See  VDI-
TZ/Prognos (2008): Der Halbleiterstandort Dresden; Deutsches Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung (DIW) 
(2002):  Gesamtwirtschaftliche  und  regionale  Bedeutung  der  Entwicklung  des  Halbleitstandorts 
Dresden. 
The  main  application  sectors  include  automotive,  food,  chemicals,  electronics,  textiles,  energy, 
environment,  pharmaceuticals,  construction,  aerospace  and  telecommunication.  SEC(2010)  1276,  p. 
153. For a detailed analysis see Juluissen, Robinson (2010): The future competitiveness of the European 
automotive 
Commission, 
industry, 
http://ipts.jrc.ec.europa.eu/publications/pub.cfm?id=3780. 

JRC-IPTS/Eurpean 

embedded 

software 

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represents  a  25%  increase  from  2000.8  The  micro-  and  nanoelectronics  industry  and  its 
natural downstream ICT industries created more than 700.000 additional jobs during the last 
decade in Europe, showing a trend towards more service-oriented and highly skilled jobs and 
rapid recovery after the crisis.9 Industrial biotechnology has been recognised as the driving 
KET for the bioeconomy. It is estimated that every euro invested into research and innovation 
in this area will result in a tenfold return.10 Furthermore, SMEs are a key driver of innovation 
and  employment  in  Europe  and  are  expected  to  account  for  the  majority  of  future  jobs  in 
KETs. In the photonics sector the bulk of the 5,000 European companies are SMEs. In 
Germany, about 80 % of the nanotechnology companies are small or medium sized.11 

3. 

SITUATION  ANALYSIS  –  STRONG  ASSETS  WITH  THE  RISK  OF  LOSING  THE 
COMPETITIVE EDGE 

The  European  Union  is  a  global  leader  in  KETs  development.  It  has  all  the  necessary 
attributes to remain in this position. Based on patent data, the 2010 European Competitiveness 
Report  and  the  report  of  the  HLG  KETs  confirmed  that  the  EU  holds  a  strong  competitive 
advantage: it is the only region to master all six KETs. Over the years, Europe's strong R&D 
base  has  championed  all  six  KETs,  maintaining  a  leading  position  with  32 %  of  the  global 
patent applications between 1991 and 2008.12 However, despite these strengths, the EU is not 
capitalising on its knowledge base.  

As  highlighted  by  the  2009  KETs  Communication  and  confirmed  by  the  HLG  KETs,  the 
EU’s  major  weakness  lies  in  translating  its  knowledge  base  into  goods  and  services. 
KETs-related  manufacturing  is  decreasing13  and  EU  patents  are,  more  and  more,  exploited 
outside  the  EU.  The  2011  Innovation  Scoreboard  indicates  similar  trends  and  the  negative 
impact on SMEs.14 The HLG KETs termed this gap between basic knowledge generation and 
its  subsequent  commercialisation  into  goods  and  services  as  the  ‘Valley  of  Death’.  The 
urgency  to  act  quickly  is  further  demonstrated  by  recent  developments  in  the  machine  tool 
industry, one of the key KETs application sectors: the European share in global production 
dropped from 44% in 2008 to 33% in 2010, to the advantage of Asian competitors, namely 
China (including Taiwan) and Korea.15 This lack of KETs-related manufacturing is all the 
more  detrimental  to  the  EU  for  two  reasons.  Firstly,  in  the  short  term,  opportunities  for 
growth and job creation will be missed; secondly, in the long term, there may also be a loss of 

8 

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10 
11 
12 
13 

14 

15 

in 

in 

the 

The 

ICT 

report 

on  R&D 

See OECD: ‘Nanotechnology: An overview based on indicators and statistics’ Directorate for Science, 
Technology and Industry, 2009 (via ObservatoryNano). 
European  Commission,  The  2010  report  on  R&D  in  ICT  in  the  European  Union;  and  European 
Commission, 
European  Union, 
2011 
http://is.jrc.ec.europa.eu/pages/ISG/PREDICT.html.  
Innovating for Sustainable Growth: A Bioeconomy for Europe, COM(2012) 60 
See OECD (2009) (via ObservatoryNano). 
SEC(2010) 1276. 
See also Académie Royale de Belgique (2010): The de-industrialisation of Europe; EIB Papers 11. No 
1/2006, An industrial policy for Europe? Context and concepts. 
While European performance in R&D increased between 2010 and 2011, as demonstrated for example 
by the 6% increase in international scientific co-publications, commercialisation activities decreased, as 
shown by the 0.7 % decline in European SMEs introducing product or process innovations and a drop in 
sales  of  new-to-market  and  new-to-firm  innovations  of  1.2 %.  See  Innovation  Scoreboard  2011,  7 
February  2012,  http://www.proinno-europe.eu/inno-metrics/page/innovation-union-scoreboard-2011. 
The same trends were presented in the 2010 Innovation Scoreboard. 
See  CECIMO: 
the 
http://www.cecimo.eu/comunications/news/161-cecimocompstudy.html. 

European  Machine 

Competitiveness 

Industry', 

'Study 

Tool 

the 

on 

of 

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knowledge  generation,  because  R&D  and  manufacturing  are  intrinsically  linked,  mutually 
reinforcing and, thus, often take place in close proximity to each other.  

The reasons why the EU has not taken sufficient and timely commercial advantage of its 
excellent research base in KETs are the following:  

Until recently, the EU had no common definition and understanding of KETs. The 2009 
KETs  Communication  defined  the  EU's  key  enabling  technologies  for  the  first  time  and 
advocated for a common understanding also at Member States level. It also identified the key 
policies, which would need to be addressed, in order to accelerate the industrial deployment 
of  KETs.  Insufficient  policies  were  in  place  that  aimed  at  (1)  tapping  into  the  synergistic 
impact of KETs and (2) accelerating their "time to market".  

Most innovative products nowadays, whether it is the smart phone or electric car, incorporate 
several KETs simultaneously, as single or integrated parts. Thus, combining KETs to ensure 
maximisation of synergistic impact is important. Although collaborative efforts, in particular 
with industry in the scope of public-private partnerships (PPPs) and the SET-Plan16, already 
take place today, the interdisciplinary character of individual KETs throughout the value-
chain  has  to  be  further  strengthened  and  an  integrated  approach  to  supporting  KETs  is 
therefore required.  

The  timely  commercialisation  of  KETs  requires  the  development  of  high-risk  product 
demonstration  and  proof-of–concept  projects.  The  Commission's  flagship  initiative 
"Innovation  Union"17  confirmed  this  approach  and  the  proposals  under  Horizon  202018 
envisage  increased  product  demonstration  activities  under  this  framework.  The  size,  scope 
and costs of these industrial research and experimental development activities, often an order 
of  magnitude  higher  than  fundamental  research  activities, require a more  effective  use  and 
coordination  of  public  resources.  In  addition,  these  innovation  projects  are  closer  to  the 
market and, where constitutive of State aid, public support is subject to State aid rules.  

KETs-based products are very capital intensive. Their research and innovation development 
periods are lengthy and production processes include complex assembly methods. For private 
investors,  therefore,  KETs  are  associated  with  extremely  high  risks.  This  coupled  with  the 
insufficient access to appropriate sources of risk capital in the EU, of which start-ups and 
SMEs  are  particularly  dependent,  leads  to  the  fact  that  many  innovations  never  enter  the 
market. With the economic crisis, the situation has become even more critical. As an example, 
in 2000 EUR 22 billion of venture capital was raised in Europe. In 2010, the amount raised 
fell to only EUR 3 billion. Again, considering current public finance constraints, it is essential 
to pool and coordinate public resources across different EU instruments and to allow for 
their most effective and target-oriented use. 

The fragmentation of the EU internal market, coordination failures and other obstacles 
to  effective  competition  in  the  KETs  markets  (e.g.  entry  barriers)  diminish  the  growth 
potential  of  KETs.  It  is  the  largest  integrated  market  in  the  world  that  is  receptive  to 
innovations,  with  world  leading  industries  in  fields  of  automotive,  chemicals,  aeronautics, 
space, health and energy – many of whom use KETs in their products. Therefore, cooperation 
between  actors  along  the  industrial  value  chain  in  the  EU  offers  huge  potential  in  terms  of 

16 
17 
18 

Investing in the Development of Low Carbon Technologies (SET-Plan), COM(2009) 519 
COM(2010) 546. 
COM(2011) 808, 809, 810 and 811 of 30 November 2011. 

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partnering and access to markets. However, due to information asymmetries in particular for 
start-ups and SMEs, which face entry barriers and high transaction costs in finding the right 
partners, many of these potentials remain untapped.19 A more efficient and transparent flow of 
information and data on KETs development and deployment activities in the EU is therefore 
needed.  Overcoming  regulatory  differences  across  Member  States,  discriminatory 
enforcement and other forms of arbitrage can further help to reach the potential offered 
by the internal market. As such, cooperation between different regions and Member States 
will need to be reinforced.  

The shortage of sufficient skilled labour and entrepreneurs capable of handling the highly 
multi-disciplinary nature of KETs remains a major problem in the EU. In the area of e-skills, 
for  example,  the  level  of  computer  science  graduates  is  declining  while  up  to  700.000  ICT 
practitioners will be needed to fill vacancies in the EU by the year 2015. More specifically, in 
the  KETs-area  of  nanotechnology,  estimates  indicate  that  400.000  jobs  will  be  needed  in 
Europe by 2015.20 For photonics, estimates suggest that 80.000 additional qualified experts21 
will be needed in order to cope with the anticipated rapid industry growth and the retirement 
of skilled workers.  

A coherent European strategy is hence necessary to overcome the issues identified in order to 
fully tap into the relative strengths of the European Union in favour of growth and jobs.  

4. 

THE WAY AHEAD – A EUROPEAN STRATEGY FOR KETS 

KETs-related actions are currently fragmented amongst the various actors (EU, national and 
regional  authorities).  The  overarching  aim  of  this  Communication  is  to  create  synergies 
between  EU  policies  and  instruments  and  ensure  coordination  of  EU  and  national 
activities.  

Besides  representing  a  policy  umbrella  for  initiatives  that  address  specific  technologies  in 
more detail22, this horizontal strategy relevant for all KETs aims above all at aligning efforts 
so as to make best use of public resources in a targeted and results-oriented manner. While 
not proposing an increase of public financing for KETs, this new framework will allow 
for more efficient and productive allocation of these resources. 

The  Commission  has  already  identified  KETs  as  a  priority  within  its  Europe  2020  strategy 
and  its  flagship  initiatives23  and  now  proposes  a  European  strategy  for  KETs  built  upon 
three  pillars:  technological  research,  product  demonstration  and  competitive  manufacturing 
activities.  

The KETs strategy will help reversing the trend of de-manufacturing and accelerate the rate of 
transfer, use and exploitation of KETs in the EU, in order to stimulate growth and jobs.  

19 

20 

21 
22 
23 

See InnovaEurope with Technopolis: 'Feasibility study on new forms of EU support to Member States 
and Regions to foster SMEs innovation capacity', Chapter 8. 
See OECD: ‘Nanotechnology: An overview based on indicators and statistics’ Directorate for Science, 
Technology and Industry, 2009 (via ObservatoryNano). 
See Working Group Report on Photonics, HLG KETs. 
See for example "A Bioeconomy for Europe, COM(2012)60", "Lighting the Future" COM(2011) 889.  
See  Innovation  Union  (COM(2010)  546),  An  Industrial  Policy  for  the  globalisation  era  (COM(2010) 
614), A Digital Agenda for Europe (COM(2010) 245). 

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The EU cannot, however, tackle these challenges alone. KETs deployment activities require a 
holistic  approach.  EU  activities  have  no  leverage  if  they  are  not  closely  aligned  with  and 
complemented  by  national  and  regional  activities.  The  Commission’s  2012  Annual  Growth 
Survey24  stressed  that  national  efforts  need  to  be  stepped  up  to  promote  sustainable  growth 
and  competitiveness  by  structural  reform.  As  KETs  are  a  driving  force  behind  the 
development  of  new  goods  and  services,  EU  Member  States  have  a  strong  interest  in 
prioritising them. National efforts should be intensified to adapt industrial innovation policies 
and put appropriate mechanisms in place.  

Finally,  EU  stakeholders,  in  particular  industry,  will  have  to  play  their  role.  The 
Commission has shown its willingness to promote more risky and costly innovation projects 
which are closer to the market and of key relevance to the competitiveness of the EU. In times 
of  limited  public  finances,  it  is  all  the  more  important  that  public  funds  should  generate  a 
return  on  investment  in  favour  of  growth  and  jobs.  The  members  of  the  High-Level  Expert 
Group  have,  in  this  context,  agreed  on  stakeholder  commitments  for  the  establishment  of 
industrial pilot lines. Building upon these commitments, industrial stakeholders are expected 
to  develop  and  sign  a  memorandum  of  understanding  (MoU)  among  them,  which  should 
express their commitment to contribute through KETs to the Europe 2020 strategy on smart, 
sustainable and inclusive growth.  

Particular attention has to be paid to allowing EU, national and regional policymakers to have 
the right instruments and regulatory framework in place so that all the crucial stages of KETs 
research,  development  and  innovation  (R&D&I)  activities  can  be  developed,  in  a  way  that 
ensures the efficient functioning of competitive markets. 

The strategy in this Communication aims to: 

•  focus  EU  policies  in  the  next  multi-annual  financial  framework  on  research  and 
innovation,  cohesion  policy,  and  prioritise  EIB  lending  activities  in  favour  of  KETs 
deployment;  

•  ensure  coordination  of  EU  and  national  activities  so  as  to  achieve  synergies  and 
complementarities  between  those  activities  and  the  pooling  of  resources  where 
necessary;  

•  establish an external KETs Issues Group that will advise the Commission on KETs-

related policy issues;  

•  mobilise existing trade instruments to ensure fair competition and a level international 

playing field. 

5. 

AN INTEGRATED FRAMEWORK FOR KETS  

The Commission has taken up the need to address KETs in a coherent manner in its proposals 
for the new generation of EU financial programmes. 

24 

Annual Growth Survey 2012, COM(2011) 815. 

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In the next multi-annual financial framework (MFF) the Commission has proposed a more 
balanced  and  efficient  allocation  of  EU  resources  for  all  the  stages  of  KETs  R&D&I 
activities.  Activities  under  Horizon  2020,  the  EU’s  cohesion  policy  (structural  funds)  and 
policies  of  the  European  Investment  Bank  Group  are  therefore  being  adapted  and  closely 
coordinated so that they contribute the European KETs strategy.  

A  key  element  of  this  coordination  lies  in  leveraging  the  funding  instruments  at  the  EU's 
disposal. To this end, the possible combined financing of KETs projects through Horizon 
2020,  structural  funds  and  EIB  loans  will  be  enabled  by  the  proposed  common 
provisions regulation25 of the new cohesion policy. The chart in the Annex clarifies the role 
of  each  of  these  instruments,  which  will  also  complement  each  other,  in  supporting  KETs 
initiatives.  

The use of public procurement of innovation, particularly when it comes to pre-commercial 
procurement, should also be encouraged. Public procurement represents 19% of EU GDP and 
in certain niche sectors, where KETs are involved, public procurement can play a vital role for 
businesses. 

Where  public  funding  is  used  for  KETs,  it  must  be  targeted  at  proven  market  failures  that 
prevent  the  development  and  deployment  of  KETs.  As  undistorted  competition  is  the  most 
effective driver to invest in KETs, such funding must be in accordance with State aid rules to 
prevent  distortions  of  competition,  such  as  crowding-out  of  private  funding,  creating 
ineffective  market  structures  or  preserving  inefficient  firms.  The  current  macroeconomic 
environment calls for particular care in deciding and designing public spending in an effective 
and efficient way to ensure the greatest benefits for growth and jobs.  

The Commission aims to further enhance coherence and produce synergies, as outlined in the 
chapters below. 

5.1. 

KETs research and innovation financing – an integrated approach 

Horizon 202026 is the new framework programme which, for the first time, combines research 
and  innovation  covering  the  entire  value  chain.  It  supports  the  integration  of  research  and 
innovation  activities,  thus  allowing  the  translation  of  knowledge  into  marketable  goods  and 
services. 

Horizon  2020  pays  particular  attention  to  the  development  and  application  of  KETs, 
highlighting  their  importance  for  growth  and  jobs.  With  a  proposed  combined  earmarked 
budget  of  EUR  6.663  billion,  KETs  represent  a  major  component  of  the  ‘Leadership  in 
Enabling  and  Industrial  Technologies’  (LEIT)  strand  of  the  Commission  proposal.  For  this 
priority strand, a systemic approach has been proposed with strategic and operational targets 
for  each  of  the  six  KETs.  It  includes  support  for  both  technology-specific  and  multi-
disciplinary research, and most importantly, a strongly integrated approach. 

This  integrated  approach  is  crucial  to  effectively  translating  research  and  technology 
development  into  marketable  products  and  economic  growth.  An  effective  way  of 
implementing  this  approach  is  through  innovation-oriented  European  Technology  Platforms 
(ETPs)  and  public-private  partnerships  (PPPs).  These  include  the  ENIAC  Joint  Technology 

25 
26 

See Art. 55 (8) Proposal for a Regulation on Common Provisions, COM(2011) 615. 
COM(2011) 808, 809, 810 and 811 of 30 November 2011. 

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Initiative (JTI) in nano-electronics, Factories of the Future and the Energy-efficient buildings 
PPPs.  New  PPPs  may  also  be  launched  under  Horizon  2020  addressing  photonics  and  the 
process industries. These PPPs must fulfil the selection criteria set out in Horizon 202027, and 
should be based on  the  criterion  of  excellence, focus on genuinely cross-border elements to 
reinforce  the  EU's  knowledge  base,  leverage  additional  investments  in  research  and 
innovation,  have  long-term  industrial  commitments  on  a  shared  vision  and  clearly  work 
towards the common objectives of as well as monitor progress towards the agreed objectives. 

While  individual  KETs  are  recognised  as  indispensable  sources  of  innovation,  the  cross-
fertilisation of different KETs is vital, in particular for the transition from R&D to pilot and 
industrial scale production. A considerable part of the KETs activities planned under Horizon 
2020 will be dedicated to cross-cutting activities, which will bring together different KETs 
for developing innovative products and for contributing to solving societal challenges.  

In this way: 

•  dedicated  support  for  larger-scale  pilot  lines  and  demonstrator  projects  exploiting  the 
interdisciplinary  nature  of  KETs  will  achieve  validation  under  industrial  conditions  and 
qualified manufacturing systems that shorten time-to-market entry;  

•  linkages  between  KETs,  product  development  and  application  will  allow  the  required 
cross-disciplinary  research  and  innovation  to  provide  innovative  solutions  to  societal 
challenges28,  including  those  internationally  recognised  development  challenges,  and  to 
reduce lead time to market; and 

•  within  the  Commission  and  in  the  context  of  Horizon  2020  governance  structures,  an 
interservice group will ensure the preparation of a joint work programme for cross-cutting 
KETs  and  coherence  between  all  KETs-related  programmes  within  Horizon  2020.  This 
includes  synergies  with  societal  challenges  and  activities  under  the  cohesion  policy 
framework, as well as the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT). 

KETs innovation projects under LEIT, that are close to the market, are of key significance for 
the  competitiveness  of  the  European  Union.  While  excellence  is  the  main  selection  and 
performance  criterion,  this  might  require  additional  obligations  at  the  level  of  the  grant 
agreement,  such  as  the  development  of  a  detailed  business  plan  and  a  request  to  create 
consortia  along  the  relevant  parts  of  the  industrial  value  chain.  Project  participants  might 
also  be requested to  demonstrate,  in their  exploitation plan, how project results would 
contribute  to  market  value  in  the  EU.  Such  requirements  would  aim  at  increasing  the 
leverage  effect  of  a  research  and  innovation  project,  i.e.  ensuring  a  social  return  on 
investment and the creation of jobs in the EU, in line with the Europe 2020 strategy for 
smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. 

The Commission :  

•  has proposed to allocate EUR 6.663 billion in industrial capabilities on KETs in Horizon 
2020.  This  includes  support  for  pilot  lines  and demonstrator  projects,  including  those  of 
larger  scale,  for  achieving  technology  and  product  validation  under  industrial  conditions 

27 
28 

Article 19, COM(2011) 809 final 
Such  as  health  and  well-being,  clean  and  efficient  energy,  smart,  green  and  integrated  transport, 
resource efficiency or climate change 

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9 

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and  more  integration  and  cross-fertilisation  between  the  six  KETs.  There  will  be  a 
particular  focus  on  projects  that  provide  integration  between  the  different  KETs  or 
integration between the KETs and their applications to address societal challenges; 

•  will work in the course of 2012 on a synthesis of the respective KETs-related activities in 
different  groupings  (ETPs,  PPPs,  JTIs)  in  order  to  assess  current  cross-cutting  KETs 
activities and to identify future market technology needs. This is with a view to preparing 
a  multi-annual  work  programme,  for  cross-cutting  KETs  activities,  and  coordinating 
closely with other relevant programmes (EIT KICs, structural funds, etc.); and 

•  has  proposed  to  implement  innovation-oriented  public-private  partnerships  (PPPs)  for 
those KETs where the necessary conditions specified in Horizon 2020 are in place. Such 
PPPs will ensure close interaction between research and innovation activities and support 
the  cooperation  of  all  stakeholders,  including  end-users,  across  the  entire  value  chain. 
They will be based on a long-term commitment from all partners sharing a common vision 
and clearly defined objectives. 

5.2. 

KETs in Cohesion Policy  

KETs have the potential to bring growth to regions and enhance their overall competitiveness. 
They  have  the  potential  to  connect  industrial  value  chains  across  regions  in  Europe,  from 
technology  developers  via  suppliers  to  producers,  and  hence  allow  any  European  region  to 
find its specific niche. In particular for less developed regions, it is of key importance to have 
access  to  these  technologies  in  order  to  modernise  the  industrial  base  and  improve 
competitiveness.  

The  Commission  has  therefore  identified  KETs  as  one  of  the  investment  priorities  for 
regional  innovation  financing  in  its  proposal  for  revision  of  the  European  Regional 
Development Fund (ERDF). By introducing the new concept of ‘smart specialisation’ as an 
‘ex-ante conditionality’, a more strategic approach to regional innovation financing has been 
proposed. Smart specialisation seeks the involvement of all regions in using their diversity to 
their advantage to achieve smart growth.  

For  the  proposed  new  financial  programming  period,  Member  States  and  regions  will  be 
asked  to  develop  national  and/or  regional  research  and  innovation  strategies  for  smart 
specialisation  identifying  their  unique  assets  and  competitive  advantages.  Regions  are 
encouraged  to  identify  their  particular  niche  in  European  value  chains  with  regard  to  KETs 
development  and/or  deployment.  The  new  ERDF  proposal  opens  up  wider  opportunities 
for regions to support all the crucial stages of technology and product development. The 
scope for eligible funding includes ‘technological and applied research, pilot lines, early 
product validation actions, advanced manufacturing capabilities and first production’.29 
Adequate  attention  should  be  paid  to  the  abovementioned  cross-fertilisation  of  different 
KETs.  

The  Commission’s  cluster  policy30  presents  an  additional  tool  to  enhance  cooperation 
between  different  actors  within  and  across  European  regions.  It  provides  a  fertile  business 
environment  for  companies,  especially  start-ups  and  SMEs,  to  collaborate  with  research 

29 
30 

See Article 5 (1) (c) ERDF Proposal, COM(2011) 614. 
Towards world-class clusters in the European Union, COM(2008) 652. 

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institutions,  suppliers,  customers,  industry  users  and  competitors  located  in  the  same 
geographical  area.  With  global  competition  increasing,  critical  mass  is  more  and  more 
important. Enhanced trans-regional cooperation is necessary to allow regions to tap into their 
respective complementarities. More training and matchmaking activities for cluster managers 
could  further  help  this  process.  The  European  Territorial  Cooperation  (specifically 
INTERREG31), aims at providing regions with the means to cooperate in this regard.  

The Commission:  

•  will  promote  KETs-related  cluster-specific  actions  in  KETs-related  domains,  such  as 
train  the  trainer  seminars  addressed  to  cluster  managers,  cluster  visits  to  trigger 
cooperation  and  sharing  of  competences,  and  international  matchmaking  events  to 
promote the commercialisation of KETs-based products abroad; 

•  will launch a study on national KETs policies to promote the exchange of good practices 

in this area; and  

•  will ensure that cooperation in the area of KETs is enhanced with the Committee of the 
Regions in line with the Protocol on the Cooperation between the European Commission 
and the Committee of the Regions.  

Member States and regions are invited to: 

•  exploit  research  and  innovation  strategies  for  smart  specialisation  to  support  spill-over 
effects  of  KETs-based  solutions,  strengthening  existing  and  possibly  developing  new 
European industrial value chains;  

•  encourage managing authorities responsible for the development of smart specialisation 
strategies  to  closely  interact  with  their  fellow  authorities  responsible  for  research  and 
innovation policies, in particular as far as Horizon 2020 programmes are concerned. This 
would allow for maximum synergies in KETs. The Commission will aim at assisting this 
process through the Smart Specialisation Platform32; and 

•  make  also  use  of  INTERREG  and  other  Structural  Fund  programmes  to  exploit 
complementarities between regional smart specialisation strategies and support spill-over 
effects  of  KETs-based  solutions,  strengthening  existing  and  possibly  developing  new 
European 
transnational  and  multi-disciplinary 
through 
cooperation. 

industrial  value  chains 

5.3. 

State aid 

The least distortive way to support KETs is by measures not constituting State aid in the sense 
of Art. 107(1) TFEU (e.g. by general fiscal measures, promotion of knowledge partnerships, 
general training measures etc.). To the extent that State aid is necessary, it must be compatible 
with  internal  market.  State  aid  rules  provide  Member  States  with  compatibility  criteria  and 
define  a  range  of  possibilities  that  Member  States  have  at  their  disposal.  Hence,  they  may 
support  undertakings  that  are  active  in  the  area  of  KETs  by  granting  State  aid  for  research, 

31 
32 

http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/how/index_en.cfm#3 
SWD(2012) 61. 

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11 

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development  and  innovation  (R&D&I),  as  well  as  other  types  of  aid,  such  as  aid  for  risk 
capital investments.  

The  R&D&I  State  aid  framework33  provides  a  basis  to  assess  State  aid  for  KETs-related 
R&D&I activities in the EU. On condition that State aid addresses a clearly identified market 
failure, is limited to the minimum necessary and has a genuine incentive effect, the R&D&I 
framework  allows  aid  for  a  range  of  activities.  These  include  technical  feasibility  studies, 
industrial research and experimental development, as well as industrial property-rights costs 
for  SMEs,  and  assistance  to  young  innovative  enterprises  and  to  innovation  clusters.  In  all 
cases, the R&D&I framework establishes clear compatibility criteria based on Art. 107(3)(c) 
TFEU and thus provides legal certainty, including for very large projects or sets of projects 
jointly  notified  to  the  Commission.34  Furthermore,  Member  States  may  grant  R&D&I  aid 
without priori notification to the Commission, provided such aid stays within the limits set out 
in the General Block Exemption Regulation (GBER)35. This has simplified the granting of aid 
significantly.36  The  R&D&I-framework  is  for  the  most  part  based  on  Art.  107(3)(c)  of  the 
TFEU  which  has  been  also  the  legal  basis  used  in  all  State  aid  cases  with  KET-objective 
under  the  current  R&D&I  Framework.  The  R&D&I  Framework  also  provides  for  specific 
criteria  to  assess  R&D&I  aid  for  an  important  project  of  common  European  interest  in  the 
meaning of Art. 107(3)(b) TFEU. This legal basis was used for projects very rarely and only 
before  the  applicability  of  the  current  R&D&I  Framework  (e.g.  the  French  ‘Medea+’ 
programme:  Decision  of  12.3.2002,  N  702/A/2001,  which  entailed  support  to  micro  and 
nanoelectronic projects; and support for high definition television). Subject to a case-by-case 
assessment, such aid may be authorised up to the level that proves necessary to overcome the 
pronounced market failures and risks that hinder the deployment of large-scale, cross-border 
projects. The R&D&I state aid framework is applicable until 31.12.2013 and will be reviewed 
in line with the objectives of the recently launched State aid modernisation.  

The Commission:  

•  recalls its intention to modernise State aid rules, as announced in its Communication on 
State  Aid  Modernisation37, 
the 
implementation  of  the  Europe  2020  strategy  for  growth  and  to  enhance  the  quality  of 
public  spending.  In  particular,  modernised  rules  should  facilitate  the  treatment  of  State 
aid which is well-designed, targeted at proven market failures and has a clear incentive 
effect and limited impact on competition. 

the  R&D&I-Framework, 

to  support 

including 

5.4. 

The European Investment Bank 

The  European  Investment  Bank  (EIB)  Group,  the  EU’s  financing  institution,  supports  the 
EU’s policy objectives by financing viable capital projects. The EIB has played a key role in 
building  up  the  EU’s  knowledge-based  economy.  It  has  actively  supported  European  R&D 

33 

34 

35 
36 
37 

Community  Framework  for  State  aid  for  Research  and  Development  and  Innovation,  OJ  C  323, 
30.12.2006, p. 1. 
Since 2007, the Commission has authorised more than 200 aid schemes under the R&D&I framework 
for Member States to support KETs. In addition, more than 30 individual measures dedicated to larger-
scale  KETs  innovation  projects  have  been  authorised  with  an  overall  amount  of  more  than  EUR  1.7 
billion in aid. 
Commission Regulation (EC) No 800/2008 of 6 August 2008, OJ L 214, 9.8.2008, p. 3. 
Since its adoption in 2008, Member States have put into force over 300 R&D&I aid schemes. 
COM(2012) 209 final of 8.5.2012. 

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12 

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projects by lending almost EUR 103 billion in the period 2000-2011, of which EUR 10 billion 
was invested in loans, guarantees, and risk and venture capital in 2011 alone. In the area of 
KETs,  the  EIB  provides  ca.  EUR  1  billion  per  year.  Moreover,  because  of  the  EIB’s 
reputation for its prudent lending policy and its strong market and technological know-how, 
the  Bank  serves  as  an  important  catalyst  for  attracting  additional  funding  from  public  and 
private investors. 

The EIB will remain a key player in financing all the crucial stages of KETs development and 
deployment. For R&D&I support, the Risk Sharing Finance Facility (RSFF), a joint financial 
product  with  the  Commission,  available  to  public  institutions  and  private  companies  of  all 
sizes, offers an attractive funding source to support higher-risk R&D&I projects in the area of 
KETs.  So  far,  it  has  funded  75  companies  R&D&I  projects  with  over  €
 7  billion.  The 
Commission intends to build on the success of the programme by expanding the RSFF under 
Horizon 2020. 

On  5  December  2011,  the  Commission  and  EIB/EIF  launched  the  SME  risk-sharing 
instrument  (RSI),  which  will  help  innovative  and  fast-growing  SMEs  fund  their  R&D&I 
projects.  This  pilot  programme  will  be  managed  by  the  EIF  and  implemented  via  a  risk 
sharing guarantee scheme with banks. Additional measures have been taken to facilitate the 
funding of research infrastructure projects using RSFF resources. These new schemes should 
also facilitate access to funding for a wider group of KETs sector participants. Separately, for 
projects  which  are  closer  to  the  market,  such  as  pilot  lines,  demonstration  plants  and 
investments  in  innovative  assets  related  to  production  facilities,  the  EIB  will  continue  its 
important  lending  activities  in  terms  of  loans  and  guarantees.  Finally,  the  EIB  and  the 
Commission  will  identify  priority  investment  activities  for  KETs  in  a  common 
agreement. 

The Commission will:  

•  work out an agreement with the EIB, which will define KETs as a mutual priority area 
and provide details on the eligible support for KETs-related projects, including all stages 
of R&D&I up to first production;  

•  ensure  together  with  the  EIB  that  vital  lending  is  provided  to  eligible  private-sector 
investments  in  product  demonstration  and  first  production  projects  promoting  KETs 
across all European regions; and 

•  continue  with  the  EIB  its  vital  R&D&I  support  to  KETs  projects,  notably  within  the 
RSFF, and provide additional resources via the new SME risk-sharing instrument (RSI, 
managed by the EIF) for the next financing period. 

5.5. 

Enhancing international cooperation in favour of KETs 

The Commission is working towards a more favourable trade environment at the bilateral and 
multilateral  level.  Several  of  these  activities  are  of  key  importance  to  actors  in  the  field  of 
KETs. This includes efforts to improve the protection of intellectual property rights (IPR) and 
provisions to eliminate tariff and non-tariff barriers.38 Further, the Commission aims to ensure 
fair  competition  and  to  address  undue  subsidisation.  In  the  plurilateral  setting  of  the 

38 

See  for  example  the  Free  Trade  Agreement  with  South  Korea,  http://ec.europa.eu/trade/creating-
opportunities/bilateral-relations/countries/korea/  

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13 

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Government/Authorities  Meeting  on  Semiconductors  (GAMS), 
the  Commission  has 
conducted  activities  with  regard  to  anti-counterfeiting,  transparency  on  government  support 
measures and tariff liberalisation of new semiconductor products.  

In line with its proposal on Horizon 2020, the Commission will further promote cooperation 
with third countries in the area of KETs, based on common interest and mutual benefit. This 
international cooperation in scientific, technological and innovation activities shall contribute 
to  achieving  the  Europe  2020  strategy  and  the  Union's  commitments  to  the  Millennium 
Development Goals.39 

The Commission will:  

•  strive  to  ensure  a  favourable  trade  environment  and  a  global  level  playing  field.  This 
includes  the  facilitation  of  market  access  and  investment  opportunities,  avoiding 
international market distortion, improving IPR protection, promoting reciprocity notably 
in public procurement, reducing the use of subsidies and tariff and non-tariff barriers at 
global level and verifying compliance with applicable EU and WTO rules. 

5.6. 

Skills 

The  rapidly  growing  markets  in  KETs-related  sectors  require  an  increasing  number  of 
professionals  at  all  technical  levels  and  in  different  disciplines.  Already  today,  there  is  a 
significant  gap  between  the  demand  and  supply  in  Science,  Technology,  Engineering  and 
Maths (STEM) education and careers.40  

The  upcoming  EU  Skills  Panorama  initiative,  which  the  Commission  will  launch  by  end  of 
2012,  will  present  a  forecasting  tool  to  monitor  present  and  future  skill  needs  by  labour 
markets.  This  online  tool  will  present  short-term  and  medium-term  prospects  for  skills  and 
jobs at national, sectoral and occupational level. 

Technological change has far-reaching implications for formal education systems and access 
to lifelong learning opportunities for adults. The Commission’s 'Agenda for New Skills and 
Jobs'41  responds  to  these  needs  by  stressing  the  importance  of  adapting  curricula,  training 
programmes  or  qualifications  needs  and  modernising  education  and  training  systems  to  the 
challenges of a knowledge economy, with a particular focus on entrepreneurship, ICT skills, 
multi-disciplinarity and creativity. These skills, alongside specialist knowledge, are crucial for 
making  the  most  of  technological  advances  offered  by  the  development  and  deployment  of 
KETs.  Schools,  vocational  colleges  and  higher  education  institutions  need  to  provide  a 
technology-friendly  education  and  develop  a  creative  problem-solving  mindset.  Industry-
based training or work-based learning, open and flexible learning through ICT, and on-the-job 
skills development are also important parts of lifelong learning strategies.  

Strengthening  and  inter-linking  activities  around  the  knowledge  triangle  between  research, 
education and innovation is of key importance in this context. While it is crucial to develop a 
large talent pool, it is even more essential to have the right skills in the right place and at the 

39 
40 

41 

EN 

Recital 30, COM((2011) 809/3. 
See OECD/PISA (2009). According to the German Association of Engineers (VDI), in Germany alone 
2011, 
almost 
http://www.vdi.de/uploads/media/Ingenieurmonitor_2012-02.pdf.  
COM(2010) 682. 

engineer 

80.000 

filled 

posts 

were 

not 

in 

14 

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right  time.  The  Commission  will  thus  support  training  activities  aimed  at  improving 
skills (not only technical but also entrepreneurial and business-related) in KETs product 
demonstration  projects  under  Horizon  2020.  The  EIT  and  its  Knowledge  and  Innovation 
Communities (KICs) have a very important role to play, not least in re-shaping the education 
landscape in the relevant priority fields of operation. Cooperation between local respectively 
regional  schools  and  firms  in  developing  training  programmes  could  be  one  promising 
solution to help developing relevant skills. 

By  creating  closer  links  between  labour  market  needs  and  education  or  training  provision, 
KICs promote joint post-graduate professional training and industrial ‘real-life’ courses. For 
the next financial perspective, the Commission proposed added-value manufacturing42 as 
one  of  the  new  KICs  after  2013.  This  KIC  would  provide  a  forum  for  interaction  and 
promotion  of  trans-disciplinary  skills  and  competences,  addressing  the  need  for  a  highly 
qualified work force in the fields relating to KETs. 

Further  Commission  actions  include  the  Marie  Curie  Actions  (MCA)  which  improve  the 
training and career prospects of researchers, including in areas that directly support the 
KETs. Also the Knowledge Alliances, which started as a pilot project of the Commission in 
2011, will contribute to enhancing KETs-related skills. As a future part of the ‘Erasmus for 
All’  programme,  they  will  bring  together  businesses  and  higher  education  institutions  in 
structured partnerships to strengthen and develop Europe’s innovation potential. In addition, 
the Commission will test in 2012 Sector Skills Alliances, which are strategic partnerships for 
Vocational,  Education  and  Training  (VET)  with  the  aim  to  supply  skills  and  improve 
competitiveness of traditional or emerging sectors. Finally, in line with initiatives such as the 
EU  Blue  Card  Directive43  or  the  Commission  proposal  on  intra-corporate  transferees  in  the 
EU44,  high-skilled  labour  from  outside  of  the  EU  could  be  attracted  to  address  these  skills 
shortages. 

The Commission will: 

•  under  Horizon  2020  continue  and  reinforce  actions  to  attract  youngsters  to  KETs  and 
include  training  activities  aimed  at  improving  skills  in  KETs  product  demonstration 
projects; 

•  encourage  the  establishment  by  the  EIT  of  a  KIC  on  added-value  manufacturing  that 
would integrate business, research and higher education in this field and, inter alia, allow 
for targeted skills development and related education and innovation activities;  

•  publish  a  Communication  which  will  address  the  changing  and  rapidly  evolving 

challenges for skills supply in the EU by the end of 2012;  

•  develop  partnerships  between  education  and  business  such  as  Knowledge  Alliances  for 

42 

43 

44 

Added  value  manufacturing  defines  an  integrated  system  that  delivers  value  by  delivering 
product/service  innovation,  establishing  process  excellence,  achieving  high  brand  recognition  and/or 
contributing to a sustainable society. See Proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and of the 
Council  on  the  Strategic  Innovation  Agenda  of  the  European  Institute  of  Innovation  and  Technology 
(EIT): the contribution of the EIT to a more innovative Europe, COM(2011) 822.  
Council Directive 2009/50/EC of 25 May 2009 on the conditions of entry and residence of third-country 
nationals for the purposes of highly qualified employment. 
Proposal  for  a  Directive  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  on  conditions  of  entry  and 
residence of third-country nationals in the framework of an intra-corporate transfer, COM(2010) 378. 

EN 

15 

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Higher  Education  (HE)  in  order  to  foster  innovation  and  allow  for  more  targeted 
curricula with regard to market needs including KETs; and 

•  look  at  ways  to  increase  the  supply  of  skilled  labour  in  KETs-related  areas,  including 

through highly skilled talent from outside the EU. 

5.7. 

Collecting  market  data  on  KETs  –  establishing  the  KETs  monitoring 
mechanism 

Up until now, there has been no validated market data on development and take-up of KETs 
in  the  EU.  The  Commission  will  therefore  set  up  a  monitoring  mechanism  (observatory)  to 
follow  up,  measure  and  appraise  the  deployment  of  KETs  in  the  EU.  For  this  purpose,  a 
feasibility study has been launched with the aim of establishing the observatory in 2013. The 
objective  of  this  observatory  is  to  provide  EU,  national  and  regional  policymakers  with 
information to better develop and implement industrial policies regarding the deployment of 
KETs.  Further,  it  will  provide  stakeholders  with  relevant  information  on  the  trends  and 
developments of KETs related industrial sectors in the EU with reference to other competing 
economies. 

The Commission will:  

•  launch  a  monitoring  mechanism  on  KETs  in  2013,  which  will  provide  relevant  market 

data on the supply of and demand for KETs in the EU and other regions; and 

•  make the results of the monitoring mechanism publicly available on a dedicated website. 

6. 

CONCLUSIONS/NEXT STEPS 

The capacity of the European Union to develop and industrially deploy KETs will to a large 
extent  determine  how  well  it  fares  in  the  future.  The  European  Union  faces  three  major 
challenges: (a) to maintain global technological leadership; (b) to master societal challenges 
based on KETs applications; and (c) to modernise and reinforce its industrial base. 

The  KETs  defined  in  2009  have  become  a  priority  on  the  EU’s  agenda.  This  is  further 
reflected  by  their  key  role  in  Commission  proposals  on  Horizon  2020  and  the  European 
Regional  Development  Fund.  With  this  Communication,  the  Commission  proposes  an  all-
encompassing  and  long-term  strategy,  which  includes  all  relevant  Community  instruments 
and key stakeholders.  

The  systemic  relevance  of  KETs  to  the  EU’s  capability  to  innovate  and  modernise  its 
industrial base requires the Commission’s constant attention. The Commission will therefore 
provide for regular follow-up, evaluation and adaptation of its policies. This will entail regular 
discussions with Member States and stakeholders. 

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ANNEX  

1. 

DEFINITION OF A KETS-BASED PRODUCT 

A KETs-based product is:  

(a)  an  enabling  product  for  the  development  of  goods  and  services  enhancing  their 
overall commercial and social value; 

(b)  induced  by  constituent  parts  that  are  based  on  nanotechnology,  micro-
/nanoelectronics, industrial biotechnology, advanced materials and/or photonics; and, 
but not limited to 

(c) produced by advanced manufacturing technologies. 

2. 

KETS FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES ELIGIBLE UNDER EU INSTRUMENTS 

The  financing  instruments  that  are  applicable  to  KETs-related  research  and 
innovation  activities  use  slightly  different  terminologies.  The  chart  below  helps  to 
clarify  the  stages  of  the  technology  development  phase  that  the  respective 
terminology  corresponds  to.  The  HLG  KETs  worked  with  the  ‘Technology 
Readiness  Levels’  (TRL)  scale,  which  is  applied  by  many  public  and  industry 
stakeholders to assess the maturity of evolving technologies (materials, components, 
devices, etc.). It is important to note that whereas the TRL scale and EU instruments 
describe  processes,  the  EIB  measurement  describes  the  stage  of  a  product’s 
development.  

This chart is indicative.  

EN 

17 

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2.1. 

Definitions and criteria applied for R&D&I funding under EU policies and laws  

EN 

18 

EN