European Technology Platforms and Joint Technology Initiatives

Originating out of the 6th EU Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP6), European Technology Platforms (ETPs) should play a major role in marshalling European resources in the areas of research, technological development and innovation. With the creation of ETPs, the key players in a given research field will be able to co-ordinate their efforts over an extended period of time. This will ensure that future technological advances in specific technological fields will take place as part of a common vision (Strategic Research Agenda). This initiative is mainly being driven by industry. Switzerland is also represented in a few of these ETPs.

What are European Technology Platforms?

Over thirty ETPs have already been created since the start of FP6. ETPs are intended to stimulate public-private partnerships. Such cooperation enables the necessary research and technological priorities in specific sectors to be established for the medium- and long-term. In addition, it enables European, national as well as public and private R&D expenditures to be coordinated. ETPs bring all of the relevant stakeholders of a given sector together, which mainly include research facilities, national and regional government agencies, financial institutions, user groups, regulating authorities, policy-makers and Non-Profit-Organisations. Industry acts as the driving force for all of this.

ETPs essentially go through three stages of development:

1. Stakeholders meet with industry leaders to formulate a common vision for technology (in their field);
2. Stakeholders establish a Strategic Research Agenda, whereby the required medium- and long-term technological goals are set;
3. Stakeholders implement the Strategic Research Agenda by marshalling the necessary human and financial resources.

How are European Technology Platforms structured?

ETP structures vary as needs require and are comprised of a large number of different bodies (Working Groups, Steering Groups etc.). Practically all ETPs include Mirror Groups in their structure. Made up of government representatives (ministries etc.), Mirror Groups are mainly designed to act as an interface for communication between ETPs and those responsible for establishing technology policies in the various countries. Moreover, Mirror Groups work to develop synergies between national and international research programmes or ETP research activities in the respective research field. Most ETPs have grown as bottom-up initiatives with the European Commission's Directorate-General for Research guiding the content-related aspects of the process.

Significance of European Technology Platforms

First of all, ETPs play an important role in marshalling resources in the area of industrial research, technological development and innovation. They help make Europe more competitive and promote the necessary European-wide coordination of research.

In addition, they are important advisory bodies for the European Commission, enabling it to establish research framework programmes. They were used to prepare FP7 and are actively involved in helping to establish Work Programmes for individual Thematic Areas. ETP members also play an important role in Advisory Groups, which are scientific panels that make recommendations to the European Commission in relation to the thematic areas in the framework programme.

Significance of the European Technology Platforms for Switzerland

The European Commission turns to ETPs for advice when determining research framework programmes and when planning the annual work programmes. Given this pivotal role, it is important that Switzerland is involved in ETPs that work in fields that are of interest to Switzerland. This ensures that Swiss viewpoints are expressed during the strategic planning phase of research framework programmes.

Role of the State Secretariat for Education and Research SER

The SER is the organization responsible for the Swiss participation in the EU research framework programmes. It therefore takes on a coordinating role regarding the ETPs. In addition to gathering and preparing information, it actively coordinates Swiss involvement. It works with the concerned federal offices and other institutions to identify the ETPs that are of interest to Switzerland and where cooperation in the corresponding Mirror Group is most appropriate. When necessary, the SER tries to find suitable experts to send to these Mirror Groups in accordance with the concerned federal offices.

Joint Technology Initiatives

During FP7, based on Art. 187 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) five ETP have been transformed into Joint Technology Initiatives (JTI) umgewandelt (Art. 187 of TFEU: „The Union may set up joint undertakings or any other structure necessary for the efficient execution of Union research, technological development and demonstration programmes.“). These ETPs relate to areas that are particularly important from a strategic standpoint and are also areas where the existing funding structures are insufficient.

Here again, industry plays an important driving role with these initiatives. Each project based on Art. 187 must be approved by the EU Council of Ministers, whereby the European Parliament has the right to express its views on the matter. These initiatives are mainly funded by EU contributions coming from FP7 thematic areas as well as from Industry. Other sources of funding (participating states, European Investment Bank, etc.) are also possible.