In the run-up to the meeting of Research Ministers on 8 December, the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union wanted to put on the agenda a political debate on making the most of research as a tool for economic and industrial recovery and resilience. To prepare for the debate, it sent a document to the Member State delegations on Friday 17 November.
The Presidency stresses that work has already been carried out within the Council to improve the use of knowledge. In particular, under the previous Czech Presidency, the Council of the EU adopted a recommendation on guiding principles for the valorisation of knowledge (see EUROPE 13070/5).
However, the Presidency notes that making the most of knowledge remains a challenge in Europe. It has identified two main and interdependent obstacles to increasing the value and societal impact of investment in Research and Innovation (R&I): the innovation paradox and passing through the “valley of death”, the period when companies have not yet reached profitability.
The Presidency will therefore sound out the Member States on three questions. The Member States are invited to express what they consider to be the main challenges concerning the valorisation of research results to revitalise European industry and the economy.
In addition, the Presidency would like the Member States to indicate how they intend to ensure that the valorisation of research and innovation responds to EU and national priorities, such as the green transition or the digital transition.
Finally, the Presidency would like to know what national measures have been implemented by the Member States to promote the valorisation of research, whether on the demand side, for example through public procurement, or through training or apprenticeship programmes.
Link to the document: https://aeur.eu/f/9mv (Original version in French by Émilie Vanderhulst)