Industrial Leadership

The Industrial Leadership pillar of Horizon 2020 aims at making Europe’s industries more competitive and to increase investment in research and innovation. As the largest EU research and innovation funding programme to date, Horizon 2020 offers many opportunities to collaborate on development and translation research to drive job creation, prosperity and a better quality of life for citizens.

There are three programmes under the Industrial Leadership pillar (for more information on the specific programme please click the icons below):

	This programme supports innovation and the development of Key Enabling Technologies (KETs) in a number of areas including: Biotechnology, Advanced Manufacturing and Processing and Nanotechnologies.
	This programme supports the growth of research oriented SMEs operating in Europe to develop into multinational companies in the future. A dedicated SME Instrument has been established in Horizon 2020 to support European enterprises to bring break-through ideas to market. The SME instrument consists of three different phases and also offers a coaching and mentoring service for companies. Phase 1 – Feasibility stage assess the technological aspects and economic viability of break through ideas and concepts. Funding of €50,000 is available to fund projects which should last around 6 months. Phase 2 – Implementation stage focuses on bringing a break-through idea to market. In this stage an academic institutions can be subcontracted to carry out the research to meet the project objectives. Phase 2 may be awarded up to €2.5 million for a period of 24 months. Phase 3 – Commercialisation stage. In this stage SMEs can access a range of indirect support measures and services and financial facilities supported under the Access to Risk Finance work programme.
	This programme aims to help companies and in particular research oriented SMEs to gain easier access to loans, guarantees and equity finance.

Other EU funding programmes for Small and Medium sized Enterprises

	COSME is the EU programme for the Competitiveness of Enterprises and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and supports: better access to finance and markets, entrepreneurship and more favourable conditions for business creation and growth.
	EUREKA/Eurostars Joint Programme Initiative provides funding to international innovative projects led by R&D performing SMEs. This programme supports the development of rapidly marketable innovative products, processes and services that help improve the daily lives of people around the world.
	The Interreg North-Wests Europe (NWE) is a European Territorial Cooperation Programme funded by the European Commission aiming to make North-Wests Europe area a key economic player and an attractive place to work and live with high levels of innovations, sustainability and cohesions. Innovation theme aims to support the innovation performance of enterprises (especially SMEs) in NWE region.

If you would like to discuss future collaborative opportunities, please contact Dr Jill Haynes.