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Posted: January 11, 2008

Europe launches new Joint Technology Initiatives
(Nanowerk News) Joint Technology Initiatives (public-private partnerships, involving industry, the research community and public authorities) are proposed as a means to implement the Strategic Research Agendas (SRAs) of a limited number of European Technology Platforms (ETPs). In these cases, the scale and scope of the objectives is such that loose co-ordination through ETPs and support through the regular instruments of the Framework Programme for Research and Development are not sufficient. Instead, effective implementation requires a dedicated mechanism that enables the necessary leadership and coordination to achieve the research objectives. To meet the needs of this small number of ETPs, the concept of "Joint Technology Initiatives" has been developed.
This rationale is presented in more details in the 2005 Commission report on European Technology Platforms and Joint Technology Initiatives: Commission staff working document - Report on European Technology Platforms and Joint Technology Initiatives: Fostering Public-Private R&D Partnerships to Boost Europe's Industrial Competitiveness.
Identification criteria in the seventh Framework Programme
The text of the seventh Framework Programme foresees the following identification criteria for JTIs:
  • Inability of existing instruments to achieve the objective,
  • Scale of the impact on industrial competitiveness and growth,
  • Added value of European-level intervention,
  • Degree and clarity of definition of the objective and deliverables to be pursued,
  • Strength of the financial and resource commitment from industry,
  • Importance of the contribution to broader policy objectives including benefit to society,
  • Capacity to attract additional national support and leverage current and future industry funding.
    • Six initiatives identified in the FP7 "Cooperation" Specific Programme
    Based on the criteria above, the following six initiatives have been identified in the "Cooperation" Specific Programme:
  • "Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI)"
  • "Embedded Computing Systems (ARTEMIS)"
  • "Aeronautics and Air Transport (Clean Sky)"
  • "Nanoelectronics Technologies 2020 (ENIAC)"
  • "Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Initiative (FCH)"
  • "Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES)"
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    The Commission approach
    In preparing the JTIs, the Commission:
  • has not followed a "one size fits all" approach because of the varied nature of the technological challenges, the different type of stakeholder relations and the need for tailored financial engineering arrangements;
  • has followed key guiding principles in order to ensure efficiency and durability, to support long-term stakeholder commitment and to promote openness, transparency and cooperation in each JTI.
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    The detailed Commission approach is more explicitly presented in the following Commission documents:
    The Roadmap for Joint Technology Initiatives
    JTIs: Background, State of play and Main Features
    The Commission JTI proposals
    Before submitting its proposals for Joint Technology Initiatives to the Council, the Commission has gathered sufficient information to demonstrate that the following "Keys for Success" are met by the candidate JTIs:
  • Additionality of funding
  • Existence of market failure
  • Governance
  • Role of Member States
    		•
    In parallel, it has carried out an Analysis of the "Economic and Social Effects" for each Joint Technology Initiative.
    The Commission proposals for a Council Regulation include the statutes of the future Joint Undertaking as well as an Impact Assessment based on the "Keys for Success" and the Analysis of the "Economic and Social Effects".
    JTIs in practice
    The dedicated structures implementing the JTIs will be independent legal entities that will manage research projects in an integrated way, with industry joining forces with other stakeholders. JTIs will have a dedicated budget and staff and will provide a framework for the public and private players to work and take decisions together. They will organise calls for proposals, oversee selection procedures and put in place contractual arrangements for projects set up to implement the JTI research agenda. It will thus allow funds from different sources to be jointly managed and will be responsible for communication and dissemination activities. Each JTI will include a Governing Board, an Executive Director as well as other bodies, including advisory bodies, depending on its specific operational and governance needs.
    Source: Cordis