EU photonics industry to invest €100 million in research and innovation

A new position paper published by the European Technology Platform (ETP) for photonics, Photonics21, shows the photonics industry’s commitment to invest up to €100 million in researsh and innovation throughout the next scientific research initiative, Horizon Europe, 2021-2027, in an ambitious new Public Private Partnership with the European Commission.

The paper argues the move is essential for the digital transformation based on deep technologies, and for Europe to remain competitive in the face of ambitious funding for photonics from China, South Korea and America.

With four recent Nobel Prizes awarded to European scientists for their work in photonics, Europe is in a good position to accelerate advanced initiatives – such as AI, High-Performance Computing, Quantum Communication, Quantum Computing, and Smart Cities – which all depend on photonics as the key enabling technology.

“We firmly believe that Europe needs to become more ambitious now and match the aspiring investments from other regions of the world in deep technologies to stay competitive. This industry is willing to team up with the European Commission and jointly invest in the future of Europe”, said Photonics21 Vice President Bernd Schulte.

Photonics21 which unites more than 3000 members, representing more than 1700 photonics organisations from across Europe, will ask the European Commission to facilitate a Horizon Europe Photonics Partnership that doubles the annual commitment to €200 million, or €1.4 billion over the course of the next research funding initiative.

“We have already demonstrated that every 1 Euro invested by the European Commission is leveraged by 5 Euros from Photonics SMEs”, added Giorgio Anania, Photonics21 Vice President.

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