Research and technological development: setting up the ENIAC Joint Undertaking, nanoelectronics

PURPOSE: to set up a Joint Undertaking: “ENIAC”.

LEGISLATIVE ACT: Council Regulation (EC) N° 72/2008 setting up the ENIAC Joint Undertaking.

CONTENT: this Regulation sets up a Joint Undertaking within the meaning of Article 171 of the Treaty (the ENIAC Joint Undertaking) for a period up to 31 December 2017 for the implementation of the Joint Technology Initiative (JTI) on nanoelectronics. The JTI on nanoelectronics must create a sustainable public-private partnership and increase and leverage private and public investment in the sector of nanoelectronics in Europe. It must also achieve effective coordination and synergy of resources and funding from the Framework Programme. Accordingly, the ENIAC JU is set as a legal entity responsible for the implementation of the JTI on nanoelectronics. In terms of liability, the ENIAC Joint Undertaking shall be solely responsible for meeting its obligations.

Objectives: The ENIAC Joint Undertaking must contribute to the implementation of the Seventh Framework Programme and the theme ‘Information and Communication Technologies’ of the Specific Programme ‘Cooperation’. It shall, in particular:

1. define a Research Agenda for the development of key competences for nanoelectronics across different application areas to strengthen European competitiveness and allow for the emergence of new markets and applications;
2. support the activities required for the implementation of the Research Agenda (R&D activities), notably by awarding funding to participants in selected projects following competitive calls for proposals;
3. promote a public-private partnership to mobilise and pool Community, national and private efforts, increasing overall R & D investments in the field of nanoelectronics, and fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors;
4. achieve synergy and coordination of European R & D efforts in the field of nanoelectronics including, when added value can be created, the progressive integration into the ENIAC Joint Undertaking of the related activities in this field currently implemented through intergovernmental R & D schemes (Eureka);
5. promote the involvement of SMEs in its activities in line with the objectives of the 7^th Framework  Programme.

Tasks and activities: the main ones are as follows:

1. ensure the establishment and sustainable management of the JTI on nanoelectronics;
2. to define and make any necessary adjustment to the multiannual strategic plan including the Research Agenda;
3. carry out annual implementation plans for executing the multiannual strategic plan;
4. initiate calls for proposals, to evaluate proposals, and award funding to projects selected through open, transparent and effective procedures, within the limits of available funds;
5. develop close cooperation and ensure coordination with European national and trans-national activities, bodies and stakeholders, in particular the Framework Programme, aiming at fostering a fertile innovation environment in Europe and better synergies and exploitation of R & D results in the area of nanoelectronics;
6. monitor progress towards the objectives of the ENIAC Joint Undertaking;
7. undertake communication and dissemination activities;
8. publish information on the projects, including the name of the participants and the amount of the financial contribution of the ENIAC Joint Undertaking per participant;
9. carry out any other activity needed to achieve the objectives referred to above.

Community contribution: the maximum Community contribution to the ENIAC Joint Undertaking covering running costs and R & D activities shall be EUR 450 million paid from the appropriations in the general budget of the EU allocated to the theme ‘Information and Communication Technologies’ of the Specific Programme ‘Cooperation’.

Members: the founding members of the ENIAC Joint Undertaking are the Community, Belgium, Germany, Estonia, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and AENEAS, an association representing companies and other R & D organisations active in the field of nanoelectronics in Europe. The ENIAC Joint Undertaking is open to new members.

Seat: this is located in Brussels, Belgium.

Bodies: these will bethegoverning board, the executive director, the public authorities board, and the industry and research committee.

Report, evaluation and discharge: the Commission will present an annual report on progress. By 31 December 2010, as well as by 31 December 2013, it will carry out interim evaluations with the assistance of independent experts, and carry out a final evaluation not later than six months after the end of the JU with the assistance of independent experts. Discharge for the implementation of the budget will be given by the European Parliament, upon recommendation of the Council.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 07/02/2008.