Call: SME boosting biotechnology-based industrial processes driving competitiveness and sustainability

• Health, demographic change and wellbeing;
• Food security, sustainable agriculture and forestry, marine and maritime and inland water research, and the Bioeconomy;
• Secure, clean and efficient energy;
• Smart, green and integrated transport;
• Climate action, environment, resource efficiency and raw materials;
• Europe in a changing world - inclusive, innovative and reflective societies;
• Secure societies - protecting freedom and security of Europe and its citizens.

Responding to the challenge of an aging population, research and innovation (R&I) under Horizon 2020 is an investment in better health for all. It aims to keep older people active and independent for longer and supports the development of new, safer and more effective interventions. R&I under Horizon 2020 also contributes to the sustainability of health and care systems.

Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies (LEIT) includes the parts of Horizon 2020 focusing on new opportunities for industrial leadership in Key Enabling Technologies (KETs), ICT and space. These are areas of key industrial competences determining Europe’s global competitiveness. Aiming at new and breakthrough technologies, this part of the programme will contribute to boosting competitiveness, creating jobs and supporting growth. It will help to achieve the EU Industrial policy1 goals and represents an important component of the EU Strategy for Key Enabling Technologies.

The large number of SMEs which characterise the EU biotechnology sector are playing a crucial role in the move to competitive and sustainable biotechnology-based processes. These SMEs are characterised by their research intensity and long lead times between early technological development and market introduction. They therefore need to be supported to overcome the so-called “valley of death”.