- Posted 28-Sep-2020
European Research and Innovation Days - Overview
The European Research and Innovation Days – the European Commission's annual flagship Research and Innovation event, brought together researchers, academics, businesses and decision-makers from Europe and beyond to shape the future of Europe's research and innovation landscape. This year, the three-day event, went fully digital with interactive sessions, allowing participants to provide input on how research and innovation policy and funding can boost Europe’s recovery and lay the path for a green digital and resilient future.
The European Office of Cyprus attended the three-day policy conference, participating in the debate for shaping the future research and innovation landscape. The event included a Policy Conference – divided into plenary sessions and specialised hubs covering 10 pivotal themes – and the 'Science is Wonderful!' exhibition which included fun, educational online activities that introduced participants to the latest cutting-edge research taking place throughout Europe and the rest of the world.
On the first day of the event, a high-level session on the Horizon Europe Missions opened the EU R&I Days, with top experts handing over their proposals for EU missions to the Commission. The Commission was represented not only by Commissioner Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth but also by Commissioners from relevant policy areas such as agriculture, environment, climate change, oceans, fisheries and health. Jean-Eric Paquet, Director-General of Research and Innovation (DG RTD) who chaired the session highlighted that Missions go far beyond funding research projects - the aim for all Missions is to go beyond disciplines and sectors, and to get citizens engaged.
During the second day of the EU R&I Days, representatives of DG RTD delivered a session introducing the EU Green Deal H2020 call that has recently been published. Also, during the second day, there was a session on the European Innovation Council (EIC) Forum with speakers including representatives of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), the EIC Advisory Board and Science Foundation Ireland, who discussed the role and membership of the future Forum. A session dedicated to EU-China cooperation in research and innovation also took place during the second day with the participation of Chinese researchers and a representative from the EU Chambers of Commerce in China.
Throughout the second and third day of the EU R&I Days, the Commission awarded European Prizes to recognise game-changing ideas:
- The EU prize for Women Innovators 2020
- The European Capital of Innovation (iCapital) Award
- The Horizon Impact Award,
- The European Innovation Council Horizon Prize for Affordable Tech for Humanitarian Aid.
Finally, on the last day, a Letter of Intent was signed between the European Innovation Council (EIC) and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology’s first Knowledge and Innovation Communities - KICs (EIT Climate-KIC, EIT Digital and EIT InnoEnergy) (EIT), setting out a common objective to maximise EU support for game-changing innovators and entrepreneurs across Europe. Also, the European Commission announced the five winners of the EIC Horizon Prize on Affordable High-Tech for Humanitarian Aid contest and the winners, one per category, each received €1 million.