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European Commission’s President
José Manuel Barroso and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today
witnessed the signature of Israel's association to Horizon 2020, the new
EU research and innovation programme. Horizon 2020 offers a huge
opportunity to enhance the traditionally active cooperation between
Israeli and EU researchers and innovators. Under the terms of the
agreement, Israel will have the same access to the programme as EU
Member States and other Associated Countries. In return, it will
contribute to the Horizon 2020 budget.
President Barroso said: "Israel
is a strong player in research and innovation and for this reason an
important partner for the EU to address societal challenges of common
concern, such as ageing, food safety, environment protection or cleaner
energy, and to strengthen the competitiveness of our industries. I am
pleased that we are signing the agreement today since it reflects the
mutual importance we attach to cooperation and partnership in research
and innovation."
Israel has the highest
proportion of researchers in the business sector in the world and one of
the highest investments in civilian R&D – more than 4% of GDP. This
makes it a strong partner for the EU and will bring added benefit to
cooperation in Horizon 2020 given the programme’s stronger focus on
innovation.
In addition to advancing
science, technology and innovation cooperation between EU and Israeli
researchers has enabled complex scientific cross-border challenges in
all spheres of the economy and society to be addressed. Cooperation also
provides an important mechanism to help reinforce mutual understanding,
also with regional partners.
The agreement was signed by Head
of the EU Delegation to Israel, Ambassador Lars Faaborg-Andersen, and
Minister of Science, Technology and Space Yaakov Perry. The agreement,
once ratified by Israel, will enable eligible Israeli researchers and
innovators to take part actively from the start of the new programme in
all activities with their EU and international partners.
Background ...
Israel has been associated to EU
research and innovation programmes since 1996. During the last
programme (2007-13), Israeli public and private institutions contributed
their scientific expertise to over 1,500 projects. Reflecting the
strength of Israeli research, Israeli participants achieved a high
success rate, particularly in obtaining European Research Council (ERC)
and Marie-Skłodowska Curie grants. In the thematic programmes, Israel
participated most actively in the areas of information and communication
technologies, health and nanotechnology. Some €780 million in EU
research funding went to the Israeli participating entities. On its
side, Israel contributed over €530 million to the programme. In Horizon
2020, applicants and relevant activities described in the application
need to be in compliance with the guidelines on the eligibility of
Israeli entities and their activities.
With a total budget of nearly
€80 billion over seven years, Horizon 2020 is the largest ever EU
research and innovation programme and one of the biggest in the world.
In parallel to the signature of Israel`s association agreement,
association agreements are being finalised with several EU enlargement
and neighbourhood countries and with the Faroe Islands. The EEA/EFTA
states of Norway and Iceland have already secured association to Horizon
2020, as has Turkey.
