Investing in long-term, ground-breaking digital research.
Whereas most Digital Single Market-oriented research carried out by the EU is focused on meeting the specific needs of industry and society, Europe cannot afford to not invest in longer-term research, as that is where tomorrow's innovations will come from.
Hence the EU's emerging technologies research, which focuses on forward-looking ideas that are high-risk, but high pay-off. The research is therefore highly cooperative and multidisciplinary, and looks at the big questions essential to achieving a major impact. Quite remarkable results have already been achieved in areas as diverse as personalised medicine, disease prevention, autonomous smart devices for everyday life and machines capable of human interaction.
In particular, research is funded through:
Future and Emerging Technologies (FET): this incubator for new ideas and emerging communities involves encouraging unconventional research into the challenges facing Europe, and large-scale research projects with visionary goals that also offer novel social solutions;
Future Networks: replacing the present patchwork of internet, mobile, mobile, fixed and audiovisual networks with a single ICT infrastructure, bringing smart and high-speed connectivity for all, anywhere, at any time;
SkAT-VG project has been doing research around the ideation, sketching, and design of sounds, with a focus on voice and gesture. A Sound Design Rendezvous marked the conclusion of the project, in Paris on January 19th 2017.
Jean-Pierre Sauvage, Sir J. Fraser Stoddart and Bernard L. Feringa have received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2016, for their landmark contribution to nanotechnology. All three laureates are former participants in EU-supported research projects and Professor Jean-Pierre Sauvage participated in the MOLDYNLOGIC project funded under FP6 by the Future & Emerging Technologies programme.
“Wir wissen nur dass wenn wir hier rauskommen, das wir alles dass wir hier erlebt haben in die Welt hinaus schreien müssen, anders kann man nicht leben”
In the coming days, the Commission will launch the interim evaluation of the two FET Flagships, the Human Brain Project (HBP) and Graphene. The evaluation will be held by a panel of high-level experts. Their goal will be to analyse the capability of the Flagships in delivering their long-term objectives. The recommendations of the evaluation panel will help fine-tuning the current implementation of the Flagships and their governance model and pave the way for future FET Flagships.
New technologies have a huge positive impact on human lives. Already today, mechanical limbs connected to the nervous system and exoskeletons – innovative devices that impaired people wear in order to support their mobility and dexterity – can enhance physical performance and help by-pass disability. BNCIs (brain-neural computer interfaces) help people with severe disabilities regain control over everyday life; participate in society, and work.
This is why we support new technologies. And we will keep on doing it.
High pressure in the pharmaceutical industry to decrease development time and costs has led to significant advancements to improve pre-clinical drug assessment. The “Body on a Chip”(BoC) develops interconnected 3D microtissues in a format compatible with existing assays to improve the relevance and speed of pre-clinical drug safety assessment.
The European Graphene Flagship project starts delivering and shows its wonders at the European Parliament where the think tank STOA hosted a workshop with a special guest, the Nobel Prize Laureate, Novoselov
