SPIRE PPP to launch on 17 December

Following today's (11 December) launch of the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 work programme for 2014 - 2015, that includes calls under the SPIRE PPP, this important European sustainable process industries initiative will be officially launched on Tuesday 17 December through the official signature of the Memorandum of Understanding between the European Commission and the A.SPIRE association.

The major commitment of the European Commission to EU industry-driven research and innovation in Horizon 2020 has been demonstrated through the support for eight Public-Private-Partnerships (PPPs) - the Sustainable Process Industry through Resource and Energy Efficiency (SPIRE) PPP being one among them.

The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding will take place during  the second day of the PPP Info Days workshop organised by the European Commission.

"Innovating within the process industry will constitute the basis and the driver for the sustainable re-industrialisation, rejuvenation and renewed competitiveness of the whole European economy," said A.SPIRE executive director Loredana Ghinea.

The first 2014-2015 Horizon 2020 Work Programme has now been published. It includes eight SPIRE PPP calls: four calls in 2014 with an overall indicative budget of €60.3m and four calls in 2015 with an indicative budget of €77m.

The deadlines for the submission of projects to these calls will be:

• SPIRE calls in 2014 – 20 March 2014
• SPIRE calls in 2015 – 9 December 2014

Horizon 2020
The Horizon 2020 programme was launched with the announcement of its first calls by Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, European Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science. Horizon 2020 will be the largest European Union Research and Innovation programme so far with a budget of almost €80 billion for the period 2014 – 2020.

Horizon 2020 has an enhanced focus on innovation to ensure that more of Europe’s excellent research ideas are swiftly transferred into successful products and services in the global market. This offers a huge opportunity to boost jobs and growth and increase the competitiveness of the European Union. This market-driven approach will include creating partnerships with the private sector and Member States to bring together the resources needed.

More information
For more information on the Horizon 2020 programme read the Commission's press release and visit the
Horizon 2020 Work programme 2014-2015 site. For more information about SPIRE visit the website.