Toolbox Smart Coordination Positioning of the ERA-NET scheme

European Technology Platforms (ETPs)

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European Technology Platforms (ETPs) are initiatives led by industry with the goal to enhance the participation of industry in the European Framework Programmes.

The Concept of ETPs was presented in the Communication of the European Commission COM(2004)353 "Science and technology, the key to Europe's future - Guidelines for future European Union policy to support research" of 16.6.2004.

The major goal of ETPs is to develop long-term RTD objectives in order to boost competitiveness in a given technology area. The platforms play a key role in ensuring an adequate focus of research funding on areas with a high degree of industrial relevance, by covering the whole economic value chain and by mobilising public authorities at national and regional levels.

They are proving to be powerful actors in the development of European research policy, in particular in orienting the Seventh Research Framework Programme to better meet the needs of industry and are having an increasing coordinating effect on programmes, with impacts at EU and national levels.

European Technology Platforms usually set a common technology oriented vision and develop a Strategic Research Agenda (‘SRA’) with medium to long-term objectives for their implementation.