Politecnico di Torino in dialogue with the European Commission for Horizon Europe
The current European research funding program, Horizon Europe, will end in 2027, but the European Commission is already working to outline the next Framework Programme 10 (FP10).
On December 5, 2023, the work of a group of 15 experts, led by Manuel Heitor, professor at the Instituto Superior Técnico of the University of Lisbon and with the participation for Italy of Maria Chiara Carrozza, President of the National Research Council, kicked off. The group was in charge of the mid-term evaluation of Horizon Europe and of outlining strategic lines for the next framework program, which should be presented in the summer of 2025, as part of the broader proposal on the next Multiannual Financial Framework. The report of the group led by Heitor was published on October 18 and can be downloaded from the dedicated page on the website of APRE - Agency for the Promotion of European Research.
In addition to contributing to APRE's Italian position paper, Politecnico di Torino has also submitted to the Heitor Group its own position paper, the result of the work of a group composed by representatives of the University governance and representatives of the RIMIN (Research, Business Relations and Innovation) Administrative Division.
The Politecnico di Torino Position paper consists of 4 sections respectively devoted to assessing the scientific social economic and technological challenges of the future, the successful elements of the current Horizon Europe program, the structure of the future framework program in relation to the current one, and the most important innovations to be considered in a future framework program. The University focused in particular on shared strategic planning through a co-design process, the importance of providing opportunities for young researchers and enabling researchers and innovators to propose bottom-up projects based on emerging challenges and opportunities also in the second pillar of Horizon Europe (Global Challenges & European Industrial Competitiveness), with the aim of encouraging innovative solutions and accelerating scientific discoveries.
Professor Alberto Tiraferri, Aggregate Functions to the Vice Chancellor for Scientific-Technological Innovation on Basic and Competitive Research, who oversaw the drafting of the position paper, states: "Participating in the European Commission's consultation on FP10 research calls is an opportunity to promote innovation at the European level but, above all, to ensure that the funding programs meet the needs of the Politecnico di Torino's scientific community, and in particular young researchers. Contributing to this discussion means fostering the creation of a more effective and accessible research structure where emerging talent can grow, collaborate and develop innovative projects at the European level".
Rector Stefano Corgnati adds: "Our University is committed to actively contributing to the construction of a Europe of knowledge, promoting research excellence and innovation. Our participation in the European Commission's consultation on the FP10 research calls not only confirms this commitment, but also reinforces our desire to consolidate the role of the Politecnico di Torino in support of the European Commission's decisions and within the European scientific community, contributing to the creation of a framework of technological innovation oriented to global challenges and at the service of society".