World Jewish News
Israel is now associated to the EU's flagship research and innovation Horizon 2020 programme
10.06.2014, Israel and the World The European Union and Israel have signed a landmark agreement allowing Israel to be associated with Horizon 2020, the new EU research and innovation flagship programme.
European Commission’s President José Manuel Barroso and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu witnessed the signature of the agreement in Jerusalem.
With a total budget of nearly €80 billion over seven years, Horizon 2020 is the largest ever EU research and innovation programme and one of the biggest in the world.
According to the EU, Horizon 2020 offers a huge opportunity to enhance the traditionally active cooperation between Israeli and EU researchers and innovators.
Under the terms of the agreement, Israel will have the same access to the programme as EU Member States and other Associated Countries. In return, it will contribute to the Horizon 2020 budget.
During the signing ceremony, President Barroso said: ‘’I am pleased that we are signing the agreement today since it reflects the mutual importance we attach to cooperation and partnership in research and innovation."
He added : "Israel is a strong player in research and innovation and for this reason an important partner for the EU to address societal challenges of common concern, such as ageeing, food safety, environment protection or cleaner energy, and to strengthen the competitiveness of our industries.’’
Israel has the highest proportion of researchers in the business sector in the world and one of the highest investments in civilian R&D – more than 4% of GDP.
This makes it a strong partner for the EU and will bring added benefit to cooperation in Horizon 2020 given the programme’s stronger focus on innovation.
In addition to advancing science, technology and innovation cooperation between EU and Israeli researchers has enabled complex scientific cross-border challenges in all spheres of the economy and society to be addressed. Cooperation also provides an important mechanism to help reinforce mutual understanding, also with regional partners.
The agreement was signed by Head of the EU Delegation to Israel, Ambassador Lars Faaborg-Andersen, and Israeli Minister of Science, Technology and Space Yaakov Perry. The agreement, once ratified by Israel, will enable eligible Israeli researchers and innovators to take part actively from the start of the new programme in all activities with their EU and international partners.
Israel has been associated to EU research and innovation programmes since 1996.
During the last programme (2007-13), Israeli public and private institutions contributed their scientific expertise to over 1,500 projects. Reflecting the strength of Israeli research, Israeli participants achieved a high success rate, particularly in obtaining European Research Council (ERC) and Marie-Skłodowska Curie grants.
In the thematic programmes, Israel participated most actively in the areas of information and communication technologies, health and nanotechnology. Some 780 million euros in EU research funding went to the Israeli participating entities. On its side, Israel contributed over 530 million euros to the programme.
In Horizon 2020, applicants and relevant activities described in the application need to be in compliance with the guidelines on the eligibility of Israeli entities and their activities.
Israel's participation in the new program was threatened late last year by a dispute over the EU's insistence that no funding be used by institutions, communities or individuals beyond the Green Line. The dispute was finally settled in November, when Israel agreed to abide by the new EU guidelines.
EJP
|
|