Brussels, 28/01/2013 (Agence Europe) - As expected, on 28 January 2013, the European Commission announced that the two FET prize-winning projects (future and emerging technologies, FET Flagships), which will share a prize of funding of €1 billion over ten years (each receiving €500 million from the Commission, member states, industry and other partners) are “Graphene” and the “Human Brain Project”. The EU's research framework-programmes, particularly Horizon 2020 (2014-2020), currently under negotiation with the European Parliament and the EU Council of Ministers, will provide stable finance throughout the duration of the research projects. Digital Agenda Commissioner Neelie Kroes said that, for Europe to keep its position of superpower, it has to make the most of the best ideas, adding that, when it wanted to, Europe could carry out research of the highest level. She urged member states to do what was needed for the future of Europe when they are negotiating the EU's budget. The Commission recommends a budget of €80 billion over seven years for Horizon 2020, which includes funding for the FET Flagships.
The winning projects were selected from a shortlist of 23 by a panel of 25 experts, whittled down to six before the final two were chosen. Commissioner Kroes praised the other projects, all of which are very promising and deserve support and encouragement. She hoped they would all find other funding.
“Graphene” will investigate and exploit the unique properties of a revolutionary carbon-based material. Graphene is an extraordinary combination of physical and chemical properties: it is the thinnest material, it conducts electricity much better than copper, it is 100-300 times stronger than steel and it has unique optical properties. The use of graphene was made possible by European scientists in 2004, and the substance is set to become the wonder material of the 21st century, as plastics were to the 20th century, including by replacing silicon in ICT products. The “Human Brain Project” will create the world's largest experimental facility for developing the most detailed model of the brain, for studying how the human brain works and ultimately to develop personalised treatment of neurological and related diseases. (IL/transl.fl)