On Friday 27 February, the European Ministers for Research approved their position (‘general approach’) on two proposals to reform the Research Fund for Coal and Steel. Their aim is to accelerate and simplify investment in research and innovation (R&I) to support competitiveness and the green and just transition of the EU’s steel industry sector and coal-mining regions.
In its position, the EU Council extends the duration of the programme until 2034, instead of 2030 as initially proposed by the European Commission, and evenly distributes the annual financial allocation to allow for up to €120 million of investment per year. The EU Council’s position also clarifies the programme’s objectives for R&I projects in these areas.
For its part, the European Parliament has been consulted but has not yet given its opinion. “Since the compromise text on the table make some substantial changes to the Commission’s proposal, it is recommended to consult the European Parliament on the text as revised by the Council”, Nicodemos Damianou, Cypriot Deputy Minister for Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, explained during the public debate.
Although he supported the proposal, Marcus Pleyer, the German Secretary of State, regretted that it did not include funding rates of up to 100%.
To read the general approach: https://aeur.eu/f/kyd (Original version in French by Anne Damiani)