În studiul cu Impact Assesment din faza pregatitoare a documentelor pentru Horizon 2020 au fost precăutate patru optiuni diferite de continuarea a programului cadru 7 – de la renationalizarea strategiilor de cercetare si renuntarea de la finantarea europeana pana la consolidarea si fortificarea cooperarii. Pana la urma a fost aleasa optiunea inclusa in Horizon 2020. Mai jos e un extras din studiu, care poate fi gasit la link-ul
http://ec.europa.eu/research/horizon2020/pdf/proposals/horizon_2020_impact_assessment_report.pdf#view=fit&pagemod
Option 1. Business-as-usual: maintaining the current plurality of programmes for R&D and innovation
In this scenario, the main existing EU sources of funding for research and innovation – the FP, the innovation-related part of the CIP, and the EIT – are simply carried forward into the next Multi-annual Financial Framework as separate instruments, with separate objectives, and in their current formats. The next Multi-annual Financial Framework therefore includes a „Framework Programme of the European Community for Research, Technological Development and Demonstration Activities” composed of 5 specific programmes („Cooperation” ,”Ideas”, „People”, „Capacities” and „Non-nuclear actions of the Joint Research Centre”), a „Framework Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) for Nuclear Research and Training Activities” consisting of 2 specific programmes (one on fusion energy research, and nuclear fission and radiation protection, and one on the activities of the Joint Research Centre in the field of nuclear energy), a CIP including innovation-related actions, and the EIT.
Option 2. Improved business-as-usual: loose integration and stand-alone simplification
In this scenario, the three currently stand-alone programmes and instruments – the FP, the innovation-related part of the CIP, and the EIT – remain separate and basically retain their current formats. This means that like under the business-as-usual option, the next Multiannual Financial Framework therefore includes a „Framework Programme of the European Community for Research, Technological Development and Demonstration Activities” composed of 5 specific programmes („Cooperation” ,”Ideas”, „People”, „Capacities” and „Non-nuclear actions of the Joint Research Centre”), a „Framework Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) for Nuclear Research and Training Activities” consisting of 2 specific programmes (one on fusion energy research, and nuclear fission and radiation protection, and one on the activities of the Joint Research Centre in the field of nuclear energy), a CIP including innovation-related actions, and the EIT. However, a certain measure of integration is pursued as these programmes and instruments are put together under a ‘common roof’. This means, first, that the higher-level objectives of the three programmes and instruments are loosely aligned and broadly oriented towards the achievement of the objectives of Europe 2020 and the maximization of the contribution of research and innovation to the resolution of societal challenges. However, there is no single overarching integrated intervention logic covering the three programmes and instruments, however. Second, loose coordination mechanisms are established between the three programmes and instruments and a rough division of labour is established between them. However, the different programmes and instruments are not tightly integrated with each other in a perfectly complementary manner, leaving gaps in the support portfolio and preventing the provision of „seamless support”. Third, in order to meet stakeholder demands, each programme and instrument simplifies its own rules and implementing modalities. However, no attempts are made to harmonise rules and implementing modalities across the three programmes and instruments resulting in a single set of administrative procedures.
Option 3. Horizon 2020: establishing a „Framework Programme for Research and Innovation”
In this scenario, the FP, the innovation-related part of the CIP, and the EIT are put together into a single framework: Horizon 2020, the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. The current separation between research and innovation is fully overcome; seamless support is provided from research to innovation, from idea to market. Horizon 2020 sets out three strategic policy objectives for all research and innovation actions closely linked to the Europe 2020 agenda and the flagships on Innovation Union, Digital Agenda, Industrial EN 21 EN Policy, Resource-efficient Europe, Agenda for New Skills for New Jobs and Youth on the Move: raising and spreading the levels of excellence in the research base; tackling major societal challenges; and maximising competitiveness impacts of research and innovation. The selection of actions and instruments is driven by policy objectives and not by instruments. To address its aims, Horizon 2020 is structured around three complementary and interlinked priorities – (1) Excellent Science; (2) Industrial Leadership; (3) Societal Challenges – and 2 additional parts supporting those priorities: JRC non-nuclear direct actions and EIT. Horizon 2020 provides the context for a major simplification and standardisation of implementing modalities. The simplification concerns both funding schemes and administrative rules for participation and dissemination of results. The new single set of simplified rules applies across the three blocks of Horizon 2020, while allowing for flexibility in justified cases. The Horizon 2020 option also includes an expanded use of externalisation of the implementation of research and innovation actions and a greater reliance on innovative financial instruments. As stated earlier, a separate Impact Assessment has been undertaken dealing explicitly with the future Rules for Participation and the reader is referred to this Staff Working Document.
Option 4. Bring to an end EU level R&D financing and re-nationalise R&D and innovation policies
The renationalisation option consists of discontinuing EU research and innovation programmes and of spending those funds at MemberState level, either on domestic issues or to engage in inter-governmental collaboration. The complete discontinuation option, on the other hand, which as already mentioned will be assessed to a lesser extent (when assessing macro-economic impacts), consists of discontinuing EU research and innovation programmes altogether, so not spending those funds at Member State level either.