research paper
EU-India Cooperation in Science and Technology Dr. Philippe DE TAXIS DU POËT
One of the new feature of EU-India S&T relations is the launch of coordinated calls for proposals where the two sides have committed themselves to co-funding. Three Coordinated Calls for Proposals have been launched so far.
Solutions to growing societal challenges in Europe and in India such as climate change, increasingly scarce energy and other resources, raw materials, demography, security, health and combating diseases and supplying high-quality, affordable food and water depends on research and innovation. Science and technology play an important part in the EU-India Strategic Partnership. Both the EU and India underline the importance of a strong science and knowledge base as a major prerequisite for competitiveness, and the strong role of international S&T collaboration. Formal collaboration in Science and Technology with India started with the signature of the European Community-India Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement on 23 November 2001. EU Research Framework programme The Delegation of the European Union to India contributes in particular through the EU 7th Research Framework Programme (FP7) to build S&T cooperation between the EU and India, based on the principles of symmetry, reciprocity, mutual benefit and, where appropriate, the coinvestment of resources in joint actions. FP7 builds on the success of an already strong and growing Indian participation in EU Research Framework Programme. Between 2002 and 2006, more than 90 projects were funded within the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6) that involved Indian researchers. These projects, which cover most domains of research funded by the EU, received more than 250 million in funding, with the Indian partners receiving more than 11 million. In addition, India is a valuable partner for the EU in major international projects such as the International
Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project. Already in FP7 (20072013), some 180 Indian research organisations have been short listed for funding in over 110 projects. The cost of these projects is over 317 million with the Indian partners receiving over 25 million. EU-India Coordinated calls for proposals One of the new feature of EU-India S&T relations is in particular the launch of coordinated calls for proposals where the two sides have committed themselves to co-funding. Three Coordinated Calls for Proposals have been launched so far. The first such call, launched with the Department of Science and Technology, with co-funding of 5 million from each side, on computation materials science, attracted 25 proposals, of which six have been funded. The Second Coordinated Call, launched with the Department of Biotechnology, with co-funding of 3 million each on food, health and well being, again attracted 25 proposals, of which two have been funded. The third Coordinated Call for Proposals, , launched with the Department of Science and Technology, with co-funding of 5 million from each side, on solar energy systems, attracted 23 proposals, of which three will be funded. Topics for future coordinated calls for proposals are being discussed at the moment. India – EU and its Member States working together towards a stronger partnership in research and innovation The recently launched “India Pilot Initiative” aims at coordinated action between the Member States and the EU to benefit and build upon existing synergies,
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thus increasing the effectiveness of existing initiatives they have with India in S&T. The India Pilot Initiative will pull together existing Member States and EU instruments, resources and expertise to implement joint and coordinated activities with and vis-à-vis India. The India Pilot Initiative is intended to establish the basis for a common longer term Member States/EU-India research and innovation agenda. This is well in line with the Lisbon Treaty and the European External Action Service to bring together people and activities from the European Union institutions and the Member States to work together in the same team. We are making efforts to have a more united Europe vis-à-vis India for more and better cooperation in research & innovation. Globalisation of research and innovation In a changing world characterised by the accelerating globalisation of research and innovation and the emergence of new scientific and technological powers, such as India, the European Research and Innovation Area is more than ever a cornerstone for a European knowledge society. Such a society is one where research, education and innovation are fully mobilised to fulfil the economic, social and environmental ambitions of the EU and the expectations of its citizens. In recent years the response to globalisation has moved to the heart of the EU policy agenda through focussing on three priority areas at both EU and national level: \\ More research and innovation: Europe needs the right conditions for research and innovation to flourish – such as attractive careers for researchers, a modern IPR system and interoperable standards. \\ A more dynamic business environment: SME and entrepreneurship has been put high on the reform agenda. The task now is to fully unlock their growth and jobs potential. \\ Greater employability and investment in people: Both globalisation and technological change risk increased inequality, opening up the gap between the skilled and the unskilled. The best solution is to help each individual to adapt, by improving the quality and availability of education and training for all ages. It is clearer than ever that the EU can only achieve its objectives at home by being active and united on the global stage. The backbone for the European response to globalisation
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Europe (the EU and its Member States) and India need to work togethermoreeffectivelyandintensivelythaninthepast,andbuild a strategy for global prosperity based on knowledge cooperation.
is its further deepening to create the wealth that can give practical meaning to core European values of social inclusion and of European and international solidarity. The scale of global challenges that the EU and India are confronted with makes it unlikely that any one of us – in isolation – will be sufficient. Europe (the EU and its Member States) and India need to work together even more effectively and more intensively than in the past, and build a strategy for global prosperity based on knowledge cooperation. Cooperation between clusters Globalisation of research and innovation and global competition are putting a new emphasis on the role of clusters and further their development. Clusters increasingly see the need to link with other clusters on the international level building on complementarities in order to improve their global reach and competitiveness. In Europe, regional clusters seen as key drivers for competitiveness, innovation and regional development are being promoted through both EU Member States nationallevel measures and EU-level support instruments, notably the 7th EU Research Framework Programme, the Cohesion Policy Funds and the Competitiveness and Innovation Programme. In India, the promotion of clusters formation and global standards of competitiveness have gained significance and momentum with organization like the CII (Confederation of Indian Industry), the MSME (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) Ministry, the Ministry of S&T and other research & innovation organisations taking initiatives in this direction. The aim is to stimulate and facilitate global outreach of European and Indian clusters through (i) increasing mutual awareness on cluster policies, development methods and management practices; (ii) fostering cooperation between research and innovation clusters in Europe and in India; and (iii) facilitating in Europe and in India access to and contact with the appropriate stakeholders
and understanding of their respective research, innovation and industrial environments. We will organise the first EU-India cluster event before the end of this year in Delhi. Network of European researchers working in and commuting to India The second new activity in preparation concerns what is perhaps the most important dimension in any international cooperation in science and technology, which are the people. Researchers are traditionally among the most mobile segments of the population. A community of researchers active in another country does not represent per se a net loss of intellectual input and potential. On the contrary, many members of these so-called “scientific diasporas” remain highly beneficial for their home country, in particular when they communicate and network with scientists at home. A recent online survey of European researchers in India, including “commuters” between Europe and India has shown a great deal of enthusiasm among European researchers working in and commuting to India about the idea of launching a network of European researchers in India. European researchers abroad contribute to the vigour, growth and success of European research – as individuals, as organisations and institutes, as commercial companies and as communicators of science and innovation. They are a good illustration of the European research and innovation area at work for setting the pace for global Europe. This is why the European Union persistently advocates the benefits of “brain circulation”, both within Europe and at a global level. \\
Dr. Philippe DE TAXIS DU POËT1
First Counsellor - Head of Science & Technology, Delegation of the European Union to India