To drive economic growth and create jobs the EU has launched Horizon 2020 the biggest EU Research and Innovation programme ever with nearly €80 billion of funding available over 7 years (2014 to 2020). The projects tend to involve multiple academic partners across Europe collaborating on themed research.

Traditionally similar EU funding schemes have been seen as the domain of purely large academic partners, Horizon 2020 is different. Within the fund there is an SME instrument that is specifically designed to encourage small and medium sized enterprises to get involved in innovation projects.

Learnovate has already been involved in submitting applications to Horizon 2020 with other academic partners and envisages this activity increasing in the coming years.

Other collaboration opportunities can arise through other funding schemes or as collaborations between industry and academics. Members should get in touch with us if they wish to find out more about opportunities to get involved, and we would also refer you to our event article on the SME Instrument.