Horizon 2020: Maria da Graça Carvalho appointed Rapporteur for the Specific Programme Implementing Horizon 2020

The Group of the European People's Party (EPP Group), the largest political Group in the European Parliament, has today confirmed Maria da Graça Carvalho, Member of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) of the European Parliament, as Rapporteur for the Specific Programme Implementing Horizon 2020.

Maria da Graça Carvalho MEP will respond to the text that the European Commission presented on 30 November 2011 and will be charged with "defining the modes of interaction and the details" of the three priorities outlined in Horizon 2020. These are: Scientific Excellence, the creation of Industry Leadership and responses to Societal Challenges. While the Framework Programme Horizon 2020 defines the general objective, the Specific Programme Implementing Horizon 2020 - under the responsibility of Maria de Graça Carvalho - concerns specific objectives and further definition of the broad priorities covered by the three pillars.

The Portuguese PSD MEP said: "This Report is crucial for Europe as it will dictate European priorities in science and innovation until 2020." Mrs Carvalho also believes that the Report "should play a fundamental role in ensuring that the best researchers are encouraged to participate."

On 30 November last year, the European Commission announced increased funding for research and innovation - raising the amount from €52 billion to €80 billion - alongside a simpler and more balanced distribution between the three fundamental pillars of science, societal challenges and industry.

For Maria da Graça Carvalho, the Framework Programme Horizon 2020 is "the engine for growth and employment that Europe needs." She added that Horizon 2020 "will confirm the EU as a world leader in science" with a specific budget of €24.6 billion, and that "it will contribute to ensuring industry leadership in the sphere of innovation," with a budget of €17.9 billion. Finally, €31.7 billion will be allocated to science and innovation in the area of major societal challenges such as well-being and health, demographic change, food security, sustainable agriculture, marine research and the maritime bio-economy, secure energy, clean efficient and intelligent transport, integrated ecological climate action, efficient use of resources and raw materials, and inclusive, innovative and secure societies.

During this period, Maria da Graça Carvalho will meet and listen to the points of view of various European stakeholders, universities, research centres and companies. This consultation will aim to integrate the different contributions that these bodies may make to Horizon 2020.

Maria da Graça Carvalho, who is substitute Member of the Budgets Committee, was recently appointed EPP Group Rapporteur for the different Reports concerning science and innovation.