On 14 September 2012, the Commission adopted a Communication entitled "Enhancing and focusing EU international cooperation in research and innovation: a strategic approach". The Communication sets out a new strategy for international cooperation in research and innovation, in particular with a view to implementing Horizon 2020. The Implementation of such strategy offers multi-annual-roadmaps outlining particular priorities for international key partner countries such as the US.
The Implementation report concludes that clear progress was accomplished towards the main objectives of the strategy, namely by:
- Improving framework conditions for engaging in R&I
- Engaging in Science Diplomacy
- Concluding Association Agreements to Horizon 2020
- Building the Global Research Area
- Leading global initiatives
- Aligning policies with EU Member States
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What are the core principles of the new strategy?
International cooperation in research and innovation is not an end in itself. It is a means for the Union to achieve its higher level objectives, in particular by:
- strengthening the Union’s excellence and attractiveness in research and innovation and its economic and industrial competitiveness;
- tackling global societal challenges, such as food and energy security and climate change;
- supporting the Union’s external policies.
To achieve these objectives, the strategy will follow a dual approach:
- Horizon 2020 will be open to participation from entities from across the world, although the approach to providing funding from the Union budget to these entities will be revised. Through this general opening, European researchers will be free to cooperate with their third country counterparts on topics of their own choice;
- To complement the general opening, targeted activities will be developed where cooperation will be sought on particular topics and with well identified countries and/or regions
A number of cross-cutting issues will also be an integral part of the strategy:
- The partnership with the Member States will be strengthened, building on the work of the Strategy Forum for International S&T Cooperation;
- Common principles for the conduct of international research and innovation activities will be developed and promoted together with key international partners, in order to create a global level playing field;
- Research and innovation will make a stronger contribution to the Union's external policies.
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Role of The Unites States as a partner of the EU
The European Union and the United States have the largest bilateral trade relationship and enjoy the most integrated economic relationship in the world. Research and innovation cooperation between the EU and the US is governed by the Agreement for Scientific and Technological Cooperation, which entered into force in 1998 and, after several renewals, is valid until October 2018.
Among individual countries, the US remains by far the biggest R&D performer in the world, accounting for almost 30% of global R&D expenditures. Regarding participation to Horizon 2020, the US is so far the leading third country participant, both in number of participations and in funding.
Framework Conditions
The general framework conditions for EU-US cooperation have been improving over successive Framework Programmes. As a unique feature in the bilateral S&T cooperation, US participants are eligible to receive EU funding in projects funded through the Horizon 2020 Health challenge, reflecting the reciprocal funding offered to EU participants by the NIH. While cooperation tends to become more visible and effective at programme level, bottom up project participation is also a strong feature of the cooperation. Some US Federal entities are reluctant or unable to sign the Horizon 2020 grant agreements and therefore do not become formal partners in Horizon 2020 projects. The two sides have agreed that progress on reciprocal understanding of legal, administrative and financial issues of Horizon 2020 as well as relevant US programmes is needed.