Issues
The integration of knowledge and technologies is essential in order to speed up the transformation of European industry and its economy, while adopting a safe, socially responsible and sustainable approach. The research will focus on new applications and novel, step-change solutions responding to major challenges, including the RTD needs identified by the different European Technology Platforms (ETP). This research should enable and sustain the knowledge-based transformation of current industrial sectors and the development of new science-based sectors through the integration of new knowledge from nano-, materials-, and production technologies in sectoral and cross-sectoral applications. The RTD approaches and objectives applied by the partners should lead to results (products, processes, methods, etc.) and impacts which must observe the guidelines of the sustainable development paradigm, namely the public health, worker safety, environmental protection and the societal dimensions, including governance concerns (public awareness and acceptance). Furthermore this research work must constitute an opportunity for Europe to consolidate the optimal normalisation and standards needed.
The increasingly important international dimension of industrial research requires a well-coordinated approach to working with third countries and in international forums. International cooperation activities will therefore be an important issue across the Theme, where there is clear mutual benefit in terms of knowledge generation and market expansion.
The NMP Theme is particularly relevant to SMEs of all industrial sectors due to their needs and roles with respect to advanced technologies. SMEs can participate in each and every call for proposals implemented by Theme 4.
In addition, dedicated calls for collaborative projects targeted to SMEs will be implemented in specific areas with the aim of reinforcing the scientific and technological base of SMEs and of validating innovative solutions. SME projects should be led by SMEs with RTD capacities and, obviously, include the participation of universities, research centres and other industries or industrial associations as appropriate. In each project, at least 35% of the EC contribution is expected to be allocated to the participating SMEs.