EASAC President Brian Heap's participation in the European Commission's Roundtable on "Scientific Support"

Concept Outline

Scientific Support to Key Enabling Technologies and Innovative SMEs

25 April 2013, Berlaymont Building, Rue de la Loi 200, Schuman Room

Rationale

Europe 2020 strategy focuses on the capacity of the European economy to foster growth and create jobs, notably through the Innovation Union Flagship initiative. In addition since 2009 the EU has emphasised the importance of the development and industrial deployment of Key Enabling Technologies (KETs), in particular the six KETs: micro/nano electronics, nanotechnology, photonics, advanced materials, industrial biotechnology, advanced manufacturing technologies.

It is also to be noted that progress in quantum science will influence the development of KETs and the work of various industries using KETs such as for example microelectronics and photonics.

Against this backdrop, innovative Small and Medium size Enterprises (SMEs) can play an important role in the development of KETs in various industrial sectors, like for instance the three sectors of Health, Energy and Industrial Equipment.