European Technology Platforms

There is a pressing need therefore to define RTD priorities, timeframes and budgets on a number of strategically important issues with high societal relevance where achieving Europe’s future growth, competitiveness and sustainable development objectives is dependent upon major research and technological advances in the medium to long-term. This is the key objective of “Technology Platforms” which are uniting stakeholders around
a common vision and approach for the development of the technologies concerned, with specific focus on the definition of a Strategic Research Agenda and the mobilisation of the necessary critical mass of research and innovation effort.

What are they?

European Technology Platforms focus on strategic issues where achieving Europe’s future growth, competitiveness and sustainability depends upon major technological advances. They bring together stakeholders, led by industry, to define medium to long-term research and technological development objectives and lay down markers for achieving them. The achievement of these objectives will significantly improve the daily lives of the European citizen in many areas.
Technology platforms play a key role in better aligning EU research priorities to industry’s needs. They cover the whole economic value chain, ensuring that knowledge generated through research is transformed into technologies and processes, and ultimately into marketable products and services.

Why are they important?

To remain competitive, European industry needs to specialise more in high-technology areas. Investment in research must be increased, coordination across Europe enhanced and the technological content of industrial activity raised. Technology platforms address these challenges through:
■ Shared vision of stakeholders;
■ Positive impact on a wide range of policies;
■ Reduced fragmentation of research and development efforts;
■ Mobilisation of public and private funding sources.