ECIU wants to enhance the impact of EU Research and Innovation

The EuropeanConsortium of Innovative Universities (ECIU) presents their vision on thefuture EU programme for Research and Innovation (FP9). With theirrecommendations, they want to increase the impact of FP9. ECIU looks forward toworking together with European stakeholders on the future of the EuropeanResearch & Innovation landscape.

European research and innovation funding has proven to beindispensable for the ECIU members. To enhance the impact of FP9, a substantialbudget increase is necessary to cover the excellent ideas put forward. ECIUjoins the existing calls for a substantial increase of the budget to at least 160 billion euros.

Supporting OpenInnovation

To maximise the impact, Open Innovation must be theunderlying approach of FP9. ECIU looks forward to the formation of a EuropeanInnovation Council (EIC) and agrees with the High-Level Group of Innovatorsthat the future EIC must focus on the innovator and high-risk inventions.

Impact as a focus forfunding distribution

It is essential that FP9 places the criteria of potentialimpact and excellence in a broad context. ECIU gives a cautious welcome to theexploration of a mission-driven approach in some areas of research. Welldefined missions can liberate innovative thinking and encourage setting moreambitious goals that are essential for reaching breakthroughs.

Engaging withsocietal actors and citizens

ECIU, through its experience with regional engagement, recognises the importance of collaborationwith society, public institutions, industry and citizens. FP9 must takeopportunities for co-creation and regional engagement forward by mobilisingjoint investment, including co-creation and citizen science in its frameworkand recognising the importance of science communication.

Involve education

The role of universities in providing higher education mustbe recognised in the formation of FP9. At ECIU Member universities, innovationand entrepreneurship are embedded in higher education. Including educationhelps achieving impact of research and innovation investments.

The European Consortium of Innovative Universities is aconsortium of research intensive universities, with collective emphasis oninnovation, creativity and societal impact. The member universities have a longtrack record in university-industry interaction and collaborating within theirregion. Formed in 1997, ECIU Members act at the forefront of modernuniversities and see themselves as a coalition of the willing, willing tochange traditional university culture and methods of working. ECIU looksforward to collaborate with European stakeholders on the nature of a modern,innovative university.