This is a guest contribution from Wolter Kersbergen, automotive expert at PNO Consultants.
What many entrepreneurs and research institutions do not know is that European funding forms have positive side effects in addition to money. Those who know how to effectively utilize European resources can benefit from the EU. As the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Commission (FP7) comes to an end, the balance for the automotive sector in the Netherlands can be assessed.
The participation of the Dutch automotive sector in EU projects appears to be very limited. The Dutch automotive sector wants to be internationally leading, but in just over fifty automotive-related projects, Dutch automotive organizations played a role. In a quarter of these projects, participation was by TNO. In less than ten percent of the Green Cars collaborative research and development projects, a Dutch party played a role, while there is actually a lot of knowledge and expertise in the Netherlands. With the Horizon 2020 program (2014-2020), this must change, at least if one truly wants to be internationally leading.
70 billion euros
The EU offers large-scale opportunities for innovation, but this is not an easy route and it does not happen automatically. New knowledge and European collaboration partners are often difficult to find. At the same time, for innovative companies, collaboration with knowledge institutions and other companies is vital. Within the H2020 program, approximately 70 billion euros will be made available for research and development. A clear trend break is visible compared to the old FP7 program, which focused on research. Especially universities and knowledge institutions have benefited from this. H2020 is more focused on bottom-up projects. This creates opportunities and jobs for the Dutch business community, specifically for SMEs. We will need to adopt a more proactive attitude.
Goals
A new European SME instrument will finance technology and innovation in cross-sectoral and interdisciplinary SME projects. With this instrument, the threshold for SME participation in EU projects has largely been removed. A quick turnaround time and timeline, and the possibility of projects without partners facilitate the step for the Dutch SMEs towards European projects. It is important to realize that EU subsidies should never be used solely for financial gain. Participants in EU projects usually look at 'higher' goals such as expanding their European network, visibility in the market, or influencing policy and regulations. SMEs participating in an EU project gain access to a huge knowledge potential. Thus, participation in an EU project contributes to increasing competitive advantage. These are goals that align seamlessly with those of the automotive sector in the Netherlands.
Plenty of opportunities
Within H2020, a larger role is reserved for the industry, both in implementation and in determining research and development priorities. For electric driving in the broadest sense of the word, from trucks to two-wheelers, this is organized through the European Green Cars Initiative (EGCI). Their multi-year roadmap forms the basis for the calls of H2020 for submitting project proposals in the fields of automotive, energy, ICT, and smart grids. It aligns with several important EU objectives: reducing emissions and improving air quality, CO2 reduction, maintaining energy security, and applying renewable energy sources. The focus areas selected by the Dutch automotive sector and elaborated in the AutomotiveNL innovation program, Future Powertrain and Smart Mobility, obviously align perfectly with this.
Collaboration in Europe
The complexity of this matter requires well-coordinated collaboration. By developing energy-efficient vehicles and alternative drive systems, the Dutch automotive sector can tackle the societal challenge of sustainable transport in collaboration with its European colleagues. By efficiently utilizing the various competencies available at companies, research institutes, and universities across Europe, real innovation can take place.
This will contribute to further growth in revenue and high-quality employment in education, research, development, production, and services. However, active participation of Dutch organizations in H2020 projects is a requirement. Of course, this requires perseverance and the willingness to embark on an uncertain path with the associated risks. If the Dutch automotive sector is not afraid to share its knowledge, pool its strengths, and commit to long-term goals, it will certainly reap the benefits of the new EU subsidy program H2020.
