The European Innovation Council (EIC) Board has welcomed the European Commission’s ambitious proposal to expand the EIC under the forthcoming 10th EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (FP10). This proposal is set to significantly reinforce the support provided to innovators across Europe, with a strategic increase in budget and enhanced operational autonomy.
The Commission’s proposal, which includes a standalone innovation pillar centred around the EIC, reflects many of the EIC Board’s key recommendations. Notably, it includes a substantial budget increase of approximately 3.5 times, critical to the EIC’s mission of supporting high quality demand across its various instruments.
However, the EIC Board has identified areas needing further clarification, including:
- Characteristics of the ARPA-like approach to be implemented through the EIC Challenges
- Role and operation of the Transition instrument.
- Increased synergies with the European Research Council and Pillar 2.
- Role in defense and dual use technologies.
In addition, the EIC Board also calls for revenues from exits to reflow to the EIC Fund for essential follow-on funding.