Don't forget the Science - EU support for world leading Science & Technology

Whilst the debate of the UK’s membership of the EU is dominated by the view from Industry, oft forgotten is the substantial contribution made by the EU to Science and Technology. As well as contributing an estimated £3000 pa to every UK household (CBI report), and acting as a magnet for internal investment (threat by Nissan to withdraw for the UK if we leave the EU), the UK is the 2nd largest recipient of EU science funding.
The EU’s Framework 7 programme of support for innovation is now closing, and the new 7 year programme will start in 2014. Known as Horizon 2020 up to Euro 80 Billion will be available for businesses, universities and public authorities to bid for in open competition. It is the world’s only International Science funding programme, and is responsible for some outstanding successes.
To pick just a few examples:
The European Consortium for Stem Cell Therapy in Neurodegenerative Diseases (NeuroStemcell) is delivering some stunning medical breakthroughs, including includes studies that are advancing techniques to repair neural damage, including Parkinson´s and Huntington´s diseases.

The European Telecoms Standard Institute was funded by the EU to develop the Global Standard for Mobile Communications (GSM), establishing Europe's IT sector as the world's leading player in the mobile phone market. There can be no doubt that this has resulted in the creation of 100,000s of new jobs, and created substantial business opportunities.

In all over 22,000 science and innovation projects were supported under FP7, covering exciting new developments in communications, energy, transport, medicine and other branches of science and engineering.

Horizon 2020 offers a stunning opportunity for more UK businesses to benefit from EU support for innovation. As all projects require international participation an H2020 project also creates a supply chain to sell innovative products in to.

The UK Government, through the Technology Strategy Board (TSB) and its associated Knowledge Transfer Networks (KTN) are organising briefing meetings up and down the country on the benefits of joining H2020 consortia, and advice on how to bid in to these programmes. There will be an organisation near you who can help you be a part of the next round of European technological success stories.