Can Regions Save European Research & Innovation?

Dive deeper into the systems of power that shape EU Research and Innovation with the INESC Brussels HUB newsletter and podcast.

The Insider

Dive deeper into the systems of power that shape EU Research and Innovation with the INESC Brussels HUB newsletter and podcast.

As this edition of The Insider explores, from policy shifts to groundbreaking projects, the capacity of regional actors to bridge gaps, drive innovation, and amplify Europe’s competitiveness has never been more evident.

At the heart of this issue is our podcast, where we explore the role of regions in shaping the EU’s R&I agenda. Pirita Lindholm of ERRINhighlights the human stories behind the policies, underlining how regional ecosystems are indispensable to address European priorities within the large goals of the dual green and digital transition. Her insights are a powerful reminder that Europe’s innovation success depends on policies and frameworks and on the dedicated people who bring them to life. And those people are in territories, in regions across Europe.

This theme resonates throughout the newsletter. Whether examining the Economic Footprint of RTOs—whose multiplier effects on jobs and GDP underscore their indispensable role—or celebrating INESC’s contributions to microelectronics, energy transitions, and AI, the message we bring you this week is clear: Europe’s regions are not just participants in innovation, they are its engines.

However, challenges persist. From the modest budget perspectives for Horizon Europe (and beyond…) to the disparities in regional participation, the need for cohesive and inclusive policies remains urgent. Commissioner Iliana Ivanova’s call for widening participation is a step in the right direction, but more must be done to bridge the innovation divide. The Horizon Results Booster initiative exemplifies how practical tools can translate research into tangible societal impacts, aligning perfectly with our shared goals for FP10.

Looking ahead, the emerging Technology Council for Advanced Materials and initiatives like the RECreation Platform and SEAGUARD project show how strategic alliances and cutting-edge solutions can position Europe as a global leader. But leadership requires not just innovation but vision. FP10 represents an opportunity to embed ecosystems, align regional strengths with EU missions, and champion both excellence and equity.

As INESC continues to lead in pivotal areas—be it through transformative semiconductor technologies or advancing ocean research—we reaffirm our commitment to a unified, innovative, and inclusive Europe. Let this edition of The Insider inspire us to build stronger regional ecosystems, foster collaboration, and deliver on Europe’s promise of sustainable, technological sovereignty.

The future of European R&I depends on a bold, inclusive vision. It is through regions, ecosystems, and the people driving them that this vision will be realized. Let’s ensure that FP10 is the framework that empowers Europe to compete and to lead.

Ricardo Migueis

Head of INESC Brussels HUB

The Insider – 26 November 2024

Can Regions Save European Research & Innovation?

The Insider Podcast

Policy Brief

1. Economic Footprint of RTOs: A Catalyst for Growth

2. Budget Boost for Horizon Europe: Advancing Ambitions

3. RTOs and Advanced Materials: A Strategic Alliance

4. Bridging Disparities: Commissioner Ivanova’s Call to Widen Participation

5. Horizon Results Booster: Turning Research into Impact

Success Story: INESC’s Contributions to Europe’s Innovation Landscape

1. Transforming Microelectronics: INESC MN at SEMICON Europa 2024

2. Driving Energy Transition: The Alliance for Energy Transition (ATE)

3. Advancing AI Research: INESC-ID’s Recognition at ECAI 2024

4. The FAIRY Project: Yeast and the Bioeconomy

5. Revolutionizing Energy Communities: RECreation Platform by INESC TEC

6. SEAGUARD: Securing Europe’s Maritime Borders

7. Ocean Innovation: INESCTEC.OCEAN Centre of Excellence

8. AI for Environmental Monitoring: PAIS Award at ECAI 2024

9. Engaging at Enlit Europe 2024: INESC TEC’s Contributions

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The Insider Podcast

You can listen to the latest episode, Can regions save European Research and Innovation?, with Pirita Lindholm, Director of ERRIN, it’s a 2 part series and we’ve released the first part, available here (https://pod.co/the-insider) or wherever you get your podcasts! Also available on:

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Policy Brief

1. Economic Footprint of RTOs: A Catalyst for Growth

The latest EARTO Economic Footprint Studyreveals the transformative impact of Research and Technology Organizations (RTOs) across Europe:

• €37.7 billionturnover in 2022.

• 245,000 jobs created, with each job in an RTO generating almost five additional jobs in the economy.

• A fiscal return of €2.28 for every €1 invested.

These figures underscore the indispensable role of RTOs like INESC in driving economic growth and societal innovation through applied research, spin-offs, and industrial partnerships.

Why It Matters:

This data positions RTOs as vital pillars of Europe’s innovation strategy, advocating for sustained investment and supportive policies in upcoming frameworks like FP10.

Learn More: EARTO Economic Footprint Study

2. Budget Boost for Horizon Europe: Advancing Ambitions

On 18 November, the European Parliament and Council provisionally agreed to allocate an additional €25 millionto Horizon Europe as part of the 2025 EU budget. This increase, though modest, reflects the EU’s commitment to bolstering its research and innovation programs amidst growing challenges.

Why It Matters:

With sustainability and digital transformation at the forefront, this funding reinforces Horizon Europe’s capacity to address pressing societal needs and foster competitiveness in green and digital technologies.

Next Steps:

The final budget approval is expected on 27 November. Stakeholders are encouraged to align project proposals with Horizon Europe’s strategic calls.

• Source: EU Budget Agreement Details

3. RTOs and Advanced Materials: A Strategic Alliance

The inaugural meeting of the Technology Council for Advanced Materialsunderscored Europe’s need for a coordinated strategy in this critical sector. With representatives from Member States, academia, and industry, the Council is set to:

• Align research with EU priorities such as the Green Deal.

• Boost the industrial deployment of advanced materials.

• Accelerate innovation uptake within the Single Market.

Why It Matters:

Advanced materials are foundational for Europe’s green and digital transitions, supporting sectors like renewable energy, mobility, and health.

Looking Ahead:

Future Council outcomes will shape EU-wide policies and funding mechanisms in advanced materials, offering opportunities for stakeholders to engage in this ecosystem.

• Source: EU Advanced Materials Communication

4. Bridging Disparities: Commissioner Ivanova’s Call to Widen Participation

Outgoing Research Commissioner Iliana Ivanova reiterated the importance of the Widening Participationprogram, highlighting its success in narrowing disparities across Member States:

• A tripled budget in Horizon Europe compared to Horizon 2020.

• A rise in participation from widening countries to 20% of all applicants.

• Improved success rates, with 1 in 5 applicationsfrom widening Member States being approved.

Why It Matters:

As Europe seeks to broaden excellence, initiatives like these ensure a more inclusive R&I ecosystem, empowering less-represented regions to contribute meaningfully to EU goals.

Learn More: Ivanova’s Full Response

5. Horizon Results Booster: Turning Research into Impact

The European Commission’s revamped Horizon Results Boosteroffers free coaching to maximize the societal and economic impact of Horizon Europe projects. Services include:

• Strategic planning and dissemination support.

• Risk assessments and business plan development.

• Guidance on connecting research outcomes to policy or market needs.

Why It Matters:

This initiative bridges the gap between research outputs and practical applications, ensuring EU-funded projects deliver value to society and the economy.

Explore Opportunities: Horizon Results Booster

Success Story: INESC’s Contributions to Europe’s Innovation Landscape

This week, we spotlight the impactful work of INESC institutes across cutting-edge projects and strategic engagements. These stories reflect INESC’s commitment to addressing Europe’s key challenges and driving technological excellence.

1. Transforming Microelectronics: INESC MN at SEMICON Europa 2024

INESC Microssistemas e Nanotecnologias, along with key consortium members, took center stage at SEMICON Europa 2024, (SEMI Europe) Europe’s largest gathering for electronics manufacturing and semiconductor innovation. Held in Munich, the event emphasized the pivotal role of semiconductors in enabling sustainable and smart technologies.

• INESC MN showcased advancements in microtechnologies, including encapsulation processes for photonic chips and industrial-scale precision for optical circuits.

• These innovations are part of the Microelectronics Agenda, which aims to position Portugal as a global leader in semiconductor management, production, and recycling.

• Takeaway: INESC MN’s expertise in chip design and microfabrication strengthens Europe’s resilience in critical supply chains.

• Link: Learn More About INESC MN

2. Driving Energy Transition: The Alliance for Energy Transition (ATE)

As part of the PRR-funded Alliance for Energy Transition (ATE), INESC-IDplays a pivotal role in reshaping Portugal’s energy landscape.

• Scale: With €274 million in funding, ATE involves 80 entities working on 16 work packages to address key challenges, from smart grids to hydrogen-based systems.

• INESC-ID’s Contribution:

• Developing innovative solutions for grid virtualization, enabling centralized management and reduced installation costs.

• Advancing the Living Energy Platform, a tool that integrates real-time data and interactive capabilities for users and devices.

• Spearheading efforts in renewable energy integration, with a focus on offshore wind and solar energy.

• Impact: ATE is expected to deliver 45 new products, generate €550 million in turnover, and avoid 3.4 million tons of CO₂ emissions.

• Quote: “This is a complete shift in design philosophy—something that will impact the energy sector within five to ten years.” – Hugo Morais, INESC-ID
• Link: Explore the Alliance for Energy Transition

3. Advancing AI Research: INESC-ID’s Recognition at ECAI 2024

At the European Conference on Artificial Intelligence (ECAI 2024), INESC-ID researchers Ruxandra Barbulescu and Alessandro Gianola were awarded the prestigious Outstanding PC Member Award.

• This recognition places them among the top 2-3% of contributors to Europe’s premier AI conference.

• Impact: Their work strengthens INESC-ID’s reputation as a leader in AI research, fostering collaborations across Europe.

• Link: Learn More About ECAI 2024

4. The FAIRY Project: Yeast and the Bioeconomy

Coordinated by INESC-ID and funded by Horizon Europe, the FAIRY Projecttackles key challenges in yeast-based bioeconomy and health research.

• Objective: Enhance the YEASTRACT+ platformwith quantitative gene expression data, improving its usability for industrial and health applications.

• Applications:

• Accelerating yeast-based production methods for a circular bioeconomy.

• Identifying potential drug targets for antifungal treatments.

• Timeline and Funding: The project, launched in November 2024, runs for 12 months with a budget of €115,000.

• Quote: “This project will speed up research and innovation, enabling better yeast strains for industry and new antifungal drug treatments.” – Pedro Monteiro INESC-ID.
• Link: Learn More About FAIRY Project

5. Revolutionizing Energy Communities: RECreation Platform by INESC TEC

The RECreation platform, developed under the DIGITAL-CER project, was licensed to Capwatt, a company specializing in sustainable energy solutions across Portugal, Mexico, Spain, and Italy.

• Purpose: The platform manages renewable energy communities and collective self-consumption, with capabilities like energy monitoring dashboards, financial settlement modules, and local market simulations.

• Pilot Test: At Sonae Campus, the platform will validate dynamic sharing mechanisms in private and public electricity networks.

• Impact: RECreation promotes sustainability by leveraging local renewable energy production and sharing, with economic, environmental, and social benefits.

• Link: Learn More About RECreation

6. SEAGUARD: Securing Europe’s Maritime Borders

Coordinated by INESC TEC, the SEAGUARD projectaims to develop a multi-domain system to enhance maritime border monitoring.

• Innovation: Integration of static and mobile sensors, including unmanned vehicles and underwater cables, for comprehensive situational awareness.

• Applications: From preventing illegal activities to assessing natural disaster impacts, the system offers diverse use cases.

• Funding: €5M from Horizon Europe for a 30-month initiative involving 14 European partners.

• Quote: “SEAGUARD’s cooperative sensor systems will redefine maritime safety and environmental monitoring.” – Bruno Ferreira, INESC TEC
• Link: Explore SEAGUARD

7. Ocean Innovation: INESCTEC.OCEAN Centre of Excellence

Portugal’s first Centre of Excellence for ocean research and engineering, INESCTEC.OCEAN, was established under Horizon Europe’s Widening Programme.

• Focus Areas: Offshore renewable energy, environmental monitoring, deep-sea robotics, and sustainable aquaculture.

• Timeline: 2025–2031, with €30M funding (€15M from Horizon Europe).

• Infrastructure: Development of new facilities like BLUE HUB Leixões I and enhanced use of platforms like Aguçadoura.

• Impact: Aims to foster collaboration between academia, industry, and investors, driving innovation in ocean technologies.

• Link: Learn More About INESCTEC.OCEAN

8. AI for Environmental Monitoring: PAIS Award at ECAI 2024

INESC TEC researcher Matías Molina received the PAIS Outstanding Paper Awardat the European Conference on Artificial Intelligence (ECAI 2024).

• Research: The award-winning study introduces few-shot learning techniques to detect illegal landfills using aerial imagery.

• Impact: The methodology reduces costs and barriers for environmental monitoring, enabling actionable solutions for waste management and policy development.

• Quote: “This work combines scientific innovation with societal impact, improving environmental monitoring capabilities globally.” – Matías Molina, INESC TEC
• Link: Read About the Award

9. Engaging at Enlit Europe 2024: INESC TEC’s Contributions

At Enlit Europe 2024, Europe’s largest energy solutions event, INESC TECpresented cutting-edge technologies in energy transition and digitalization:

• Featured Innovations:

• RECreation platformfor energy communities.

• BESSize and BESSmngtools for energy storage optimization.

• Predictive platforms for renewable energy production and market management.

• Collaborations: Showcased partnerships in substation automation, IoT solutions, and advanced training for energy systems.

• Quote: “Our participation reinforces INESC TEC’s role as a leader in sustainable energy solutions.” – João Abel Peças Lopes, INESC TEC
• Link: Discover INESC TEC at Enlit Europe

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• Twitter: @HubInesc

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