Annexes to COM(2012)341 - ‘A European strategy for Key Enabling Technologies - A bridge to growth and jobs’ - Main contents
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This page contains a limited version of this dossier in the EU Monitor.
| dossier | COM(2012)341 - ‘A European strategy for Key Enabling Technologies - A bridge to growth and jobs’. |
|---|---|
| document | COM(2012)341  |
| date | June 26, 2012 |
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 2020[26] 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 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 2020[27], 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 challenges[28], 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 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 policy[30] 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 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 INTERREG[31]), 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 Platform[32]; 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 industrial value chains through transnational and multi-disciplinary cooperation.
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, 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 framework[33] 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 Modernisation[37], including the R&D&I-Framework, to support 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.
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 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 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 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 manufacturing[42] 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 Directive[43] or the Commission proposal on intra-corporate transferees in the EU[44], 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 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.
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.
2.1. Definitions and criteria applied for R&D&I funding under EU policies and laws
[1] 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".
[2] Preparing for our future: Developing a common strategy for key enabling technologies in the EU, COM(2009) 512.
[3] 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.
[4] Current situation of key enabling technologies in Europe, SEC(2009) 1257.
[5] Original figures were, respectively, USD 830 – 970 billion and USD 1300 – 4400 billion, SEC(2010) 1276, p. 176.
[6] 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.
[7] 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 embedded software industry, JRC-IPTS/Eurpean Commission, http://ipts.jrc.ec.europa.eu/publications/pub.cfm?id=3780.
[8] See OECD: ‘Nanotechnology: An overview based on indicators and statistics’ Directorate for Science, Technology and Industry, 2009 (via ObservatoryNano).
[9] European Commission, The 2010 report on R&D in ICT in the European Union; and European Commission, The 2011 report on R&D in ICT in the European Union, http://is.jrc.ec.europa.eu/pages/ISG/PREDICT.html.
[10] Innovating for Sustainable Growth: A Bioeconomy for Europe, COM(2012) 60
[11] See OECD (2009) (via ObservatoryNano).
[12] SEC(2010) 1276.
[13] 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.
[14] 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.
[15] See CECIMO: 'Study on the Competitiveness of the European Machine Tool Industry', http://www.cecimo.eu/comunications/news/161-cecimocompstudy.html.
[16] Investing in the Development of Low Carbon Technologies (SET-Plan), COM(2009) 519
[17] COM(2010) 546.
[18] COM(2011) 808, 809, 810 and 811 of 30 November 2011.
[19] See InnovaEurope with Technopolis: 'Feasibility study on new forms of EU support to Member States and Regions to foster SMEs innovation capacity', Chapter 8.
[20] See OECD: ‘Nanotechnology: An overview based on indicators and statistics’ Directorate for Science, Technology and Industry, 2009 (via ObservatoryNano).
[21] See Working Group Report on Photonics, HLG KETs.
[22] See for example "A Bioeconomy for Europe, COM(2012)60", "Lighting the Future" COM(2011) 889.
[23] See Innovation Union (COM(2010) 546), An Industrial Policy for the globalisation era (COM(2010) 614), A Digital Agenda for Europe (COM(2010) 245).
[24] Annual Growth Survey 2012, COM(2011) 815.
[25] See Art. 55 (8) Proposal for a Regulation on Common Provisions, COM(2011) 615.
[26] COM(2011) 808, 809, 810 and 811 of 30 November 2011.
[27] Article 19, COM(2011) 809 final
[28] Such as health and well-being, clean and efficient energy, smart, green and integrated transport, resource efficiency or climate change
[29] See Article 5 (1) (c) ERDF Proposal, COM(2011) 614.
[30] Towards world-class clusters in the European Union, COM(2008) 652.
[31] http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/how/index_en.cfm#3
[32] SWD(2012) 61.
[33] Community Framework for State aid for Research and Development and Innovation, OJ C 323, 30.12.2006, p. 1.
[34] 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.
[35] Commission Regulation (EC) No 800/2008 of 6 August 2008, OJ L 214, 9.8.2008, p. 3.
[36] Since its adoption in 2008, Member States have put into force over 300 R&D&I aid schemes.
[37] COM(2012) 209 final of 8.5.2012.
[38] See for example the Free Trade Agreement with South Korea, http://ec.europa.eu/trade/creating-opportunities/bilateral-relations/countries/korea/
[39] Recital 30, COM((2011) 809/3.
[40] See OECD/PISA (2009). According to the German Association of Engineers (VDI), in Germany alone almost 80.000 engineer posts were not filled in 2011, http://www.vdi.de/uploads/media/Ingenieurmonitor_2012-02.pdf.
[41] COM(2010) 682.
[42] 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.
[43] 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.
[44] 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.