H2020: European Innovation Council: Transition to Innovation Activities

This call (FETPROACT-EIC-06-2019), whose objective is to convert promising results from projects financed with FET funds into real technological or social advances, belongs to the Towards the next EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation: European Innovation Council (EIC) Pilot sub-programme of the Horizon 2020 Programme.

The specific challenge is to turn the promising results of FET-funded projects into real technological or social breakthroughs and disruptive innovations. Since the typical mindset of researchers is to identify new opportunities for research, the promising research results that could be the basis of the breakthroughs and the risk of disruptive innovation must remain untapped. The challenge is to create fertile ground for these results to mature, to a level where exploitation and investment opportunities can begin to be discussed and, ultimately, to be assimilated by the market in the future. While recognising that this may require even more research and development, it is crucial to complement research excellence with a focus on ambition and entrepreneurial commitment at an early stage.

Scope

The objective of the EIC Transition Activities Pilot Project is to bring promising technologies as found at the end of a FET-Open or FET Proactive project (i.e. TRL 2/3) to a level of development, validation and demonstration where they become a credible basis for entrepreneurship, business creation, investment and, ultimately, economic or social benefits. The project will be led by a partner with the vision, ambition and commitment to bring the technology to its actual use (possibly through the creation of a new company or a spin-off company).

Proposals should be based on the results of an ongoing or completed project (Research and Innovation Action) funded as a result of a FET-Open or FET Proactive call under Horizon 2020. The target technology must be in one of the following areas:

• Micro and nanotechnologies
• Artificial Intelligence and advanced robotics
• Technologies for life sciences, health and treatment
• Low-carbon energy technologies and climate change
• Interaction technologies (including virtual augmented and mixed reality,…)

Expected impact

• Increased value creation from FET projects and contribution to the competitiveness of European industry/economy through the development of promising new technologies and innovation opportunities.
• Rapid development, demonstration and economic and social uptake of promising FET technologies.
• Increased participation for the first time in the H2020 programme of high-tech SMEs (including spin-offs and start-ups) and industry.
• Leveraging increased private investment in research and/or innovation.

Deadline

13th November, 2019

More information

Funding & tenders