Activites

• 2008/04/09 Final act published in Official Journal
  • Regulation 2008/294
  • OJ L 097 09.04.2008, p. 0001
• 2008/03/11 Final act signed
• 2008/03/11 Results of vote in Parliament
  • Results of vote in Parliament
  • Debate in Parliament
  • T6-0081/2008 summary

    The European Parliament adopted a legislative resolution and approved the Council’s common position for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the European Institute of Technology.The recommendation for second reading (under the codecision procedure) had been tabled for consideration in plenary by Reino PAASILINNA (PES, FI) on behalf of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy.

• #2852
• 2008/02/25 Council Meeting
  • 2852
• 2008/02/20 Committee recommendation tabled for plenary, 2nd reading
  • A6-0041/2008
• 2008/02/18 Vote in committee, 2nd reading
• 2008/01/31 Committee referral announced in Parliament, 2nd reading
• 2008/01/22 Council position published
  • 15647/1/2007 summary

    The Common Position is the result of intense inter-institutional negotiations, following the Commission's proposal on the revision of the financial framework of 19 September 2007 (see ACI/2007/2213), as well as, the adoption of a resolution on the EIT by the EP on 26 September 2007.Within this context, informal and technical meetings have pinpointed avenues for compromise on a number of outstanding legislative issues. In parallel, discussions on the financing of the EIT (and Galileo) have been conducted within the Council's Budget Committee and between the two branches of the budget authority in the context of the 2008 budget procedure.On 20 November 2007 the chairwoman of the ITRE Committee, Ms Angelika NIEBLER (EPP-ED, DE), confirmed Parliament's agreement to the text agreed by Coreper on 14 November 2007 and to the Commission's Declaration (subject to an agreement on the financing of the EIT – see below).The Competitiveness Council reached a political agreement on Friday 23 November 2007 on the establishment of the EIT. The same day, the Council and the European Parliament reached an agreement on the financing of Galileo and the EIT, with EUR 309 million earmarked for the EIT for the period 2008-2013.The main subjects of negotiation on which accord has been reached are:the educational dimension: A consensus has emerged on the definition of higher education institutions and on degrees and diplomas; participation of KICs in Community programmes (recital 17 and Article 14): the text of Article 14 has been re-drafted to avoid creating the expectation that all the administrative costs of the KICs, which could be significant, would necessarily be funded through the Community budget.the definition of Participating States (Article 2 definitions): The word "European" has been deleted by common agreement in response to the EP proposal, while the European dimension has been reinforced in Article 7(3). the EIT label (recital 12 and Article 8): A compromise has been reached between the EP's and the Council's position (compulsory versus voluntary use). the concept of a "pilot phase" (recital 24 and Article 19): replaced by "initial phase". the fields of first KICs (recital 24): The Council agreed, in response to Parliament's request, to add "renewable energy" and the "next generation of ICTs" in recital 24. the period for the selection of the first KICs (recital 24 and Article 18) has been shortened to 18 months (from 24) in response to the EP's request. evaluation and Commission's review of the proposal (Article 16(3)): It was agreed that the reference to the Commission's capacity to review the regulation "where appropriate" would be linked to the evaluation of the EIT.establishment of the support structure (Article 6 of the Annex): During the negotiations, the need emerged for a provision in the Regulation to prepare the support structure. The Commission has, with the co-legislators' agreement, looked at various options and considers that the best way to proceed would be to include a new article in the Statutes which would allow it temporarily to take legal and financial decisions on behalf of the EIT until a Director is appointed by the Board.the Identification Committee (Article 1 of the Statutes): To emphasize the "ad-hoc" basis of an Identification Committee it has been agreed that it be used only for the appointment of the first Board members.In response to Parliament's request for a more open and informative identification process (vis-à-vis the Parliament and Council), a Declaration of the Commission was added to the minutes of the Council. It should however be noted that the only amendment that the Council did not accept in its entirety was one regarding the sectors of activity of the first KICs (Recital 24). The European Parliament would have preferred a reference to energy in general but the Council insisted on a reference to renewable energies.

• #2843
• 2008/01/21 Council Meeting
• #2832
• 2007/11/22 Council Meeting
• #2829
• 2007/11/15 Council Meeting
  • 2829 summary

    The Presidency of the Council informed the Council of the state of play of the draft Regulation on the establishment of a European Institute for Technology (EIT), following the general approach on the proposal for a Regulation, established by the Council in June 2007 (see Council document 11058/07 and the summary of the Council activity of 25 June 2007), and the vote in the European Parliament on 26 September.

• #2820
• 2007/09/28 Council Meeting
  • 2820
• 2007/09/26 Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
  • T6-0409/2007 summary

    The European Parliament adopted a resolution drafted by Reino PAASILINNA (PES, FI), and made some amendments to the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the European Institute of Technology. The main amendments were as follows :Name: stressing that the main task of the EIT will be to promote innovation, Parliament changed the name of the Institute to the European institute of Innovation and Technology ("the EIT"). It is a body set up in accordance with Article 185 of the Financial Regulation and Point 47 of the Interinstitutional Agreement of 17 May 2006 on budgetary discipline and sound financial management;Definitions: the definition of “Knowledge and Innovation Community” ("KIC") was amended so that this term now means a legally autonomous partnership between higher education institutions, research organisations, companies and other stakeholders in the innovation process in the form of a strategic network with a joint mid to long-term innovation plan designated to achieve the EIT objectives. Furthermore, the term ‘higher education institution’ was substituted for ‘university’and a definition inserted for ‘qualifications’. Parliament also proposes to delete the reference to "European country" in the definition of Participating State ;Objective: the objective of the EIT is to enhance European competitiveness and contribute to sustainable economic growth by reinforcing the innovation capacity of Member States and the Community. It shall do this by promoting and coordinating innovation, research and higher education at the highest levels. In order to achieve its objective, the EIT shall identify its priority areas and (i) encourage the recognition of qualifications awarded by higher education institutions which are partners in the KICs and bear the EIT mark in the Member States; (ii)) promote the dissemination of good practices for the integration of the knowledge triangle in order to develop a common culture of innovation with a high level of knowledge transfer; (iii) seek to become a world class body for excellence in innovation, higher education and research; (iv) ensure complementarity and synergy between EIT activities and other Community programmes; (v) complement existing national and regional policies, instruments and networks in the field of innovation, research and higher education in Europe;Knowledge and innovation communities: Parliament changed the definition from a joint-venture of partner organisations to ‘a legally autonomous partnership between higher education institutions, research organisations, companies and other stakeholders in the innovation process in the form of a strategic network with a joint mid to long-term innovation plan designated to achieve the EIT´s objectives’. KICs shall have substantial overall autonomy to define their internal organisation and composition, as well as their precise plan of activities and working methods. KICs undertakings must include education and training activities at master and doctoral level, in disciplines that will meet future European economic needs and the mobility of researchers.  They must aim to be open to new partner organisations, wherever they can add value to the partnership. They shall be legally autonomous from the EIT. The relationship between the EIT and each KIC shall be governed by contractual agreement, and each KIC shall submit a business plan to the Governing Board of the EIT for approval ;Selection of knowledge and innovation communities: a new article stipulates that a partnership shall be selected and designated by the EIT to become a KIC on the basis of a competitive, open and transparent procedure. Detailed criteria for the selection of KICs, which shall be based on the principles of excellence and innovation capacity, shall be adopted by the EIT, and external and independent experts shall be involved in the selection procedure. In the selection of a KIC, particular account must be taken of certain factors, including (a) the current and potential innovation capacity within the partnership as well as its potential excellence in innovation, higher education and research; (b) the partnership's capacity to achieve the goals set out in the Strategic Innovation Agenda; (c) the partnership's capacity to secure sustainable, long-term funding, including substantial financial commitments from the private sector; (d) the participation in the partnership of organisations active in the triangle of research, higher education and innovation, including at least one higher education institution and one private company; (e) where appropriate, the existence of a plan for the management of intellectual property appropriate to the sector concerned; (f) the involvement of the private sector, and in particular small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the financial sector; (g) measures to support the creation of startups and spin-offs; (h) the partnership's capacity to interact with other organisations and networks outside the KIC with the aim of sharing good practices and excellence. Members want each KIC to have at least three partner organisations, situated in at least two different Participating States, of which each shall be independent of the others. A KIC may include partner organisations not established in a Participating State, subject to the approval of the Governing Board;Intellectual property rights: the EIT shall adopt guidelines for the management of intellectual property rights based, inter alia, on the principles set out in Chapter II, Section 2 of Regulation (EC) No 1906/2006 (rules laid down for FP7). On the basis of these guidelines, the partner organisations of each KIC shall conclude an agreement on the management and use of intellectual property rights, which shall be subject to the approval of the Governing Board ;Pilot phase: no later than 24 months after the entry into force of the Regulation, the EIT shall select and designate two or three KICs and may select additional KICs after the adoption of its first Strategic Innovation Agenda. A new recital states that a pilot phase, with a limited amount of KICs, is needed in order to properly evaluate the functioning of the EIT and the KICs and where necessary introduce improvements. During this pilot phase, the Governing Board should select KICs in areas that help the European Union to face today's and tomorrow's challenges, such as climate change, sustainable mobility, energy efficiency or the next generation of information and communication technologies (ICT) ;EIT label on qualifications: MEPs reject the Commission's proposal for the EIT itself to award degrees and diplomas. Instead they ask for an EIT mark to be added to qualifications awarded through the higher education institutions within the KICs. Member States shall cooperate in recognising the qualifications awarded by higher education institutions within KICs and bearing the EIT mark, without prejudice to Directive 2005/36/EC ;Mobility of researchers and students: through its activities and work, the EIT shall help promote mobility within the European Higher Education Area (pursuant to the agreements concluded under the Bologna Process). The transferability of grants allocated for KIC activities, in particular to researchers and students, must be ensured;Governing Board: the selection procedure for the Governing Board should be more transparent, notably towards the European Parliament and the Council. The procedure must a transparent one and one where the Commission reports appropriately to the other institutions. Furthermore, the Commission's proposal only foresees consultation of the Commission in determining the strategic priorities of the EIT. The European Parliament and the Council must be able to endorse these priorities prior to their final adoption. Accordingly, Parliament has made some amendments to the articles regarding the selection and responsibilities of the Governing Board and its functioning. In addition the provisions concerning the organisation of the Agency are integrated in the articles of the legislative text and not laid down in an annex. The annex is deleted and inserted as Articles ;Funding : the EIT and the KICs shall be financed through: (a) contributions from business or private organisations, preferably from companies participating in the KIC; (b) contributions from the general budget of the EU; (c) contributions from Participating States, third countries or public authorities within them; (d) bequests, donations and contributions; (e) revenue generated by its own activities, including royalties from intellectual property rights; (f) loans and contributions from the European Investment Bank (EIB). In the event that the KICs or their partner organisations apply directly for assistance from Community programmes (including the Risk Sharing Finance Facility), the Commission shall ensure that these applications are in no way privileged over other applications. No contribution may be made from the Framework Programme for Research, the Competitiveness and Innovation Programme and the Life Long Learning Programme to the establishment and/or administration costs directly associated with the EIT or the KICs. The indicative financial envelope of Community during the period of 6 years as from 1 January 2008 is set at EUR 308.7 million, subject to agreement by the two arms of the budgetary authority in accordance with the IIA, and in particular part C and point 47 thereof.Strategic Innovation Agenda: by 31 December 2011 at the latest and every seven years thereafter, the EIT shall draft a seven-year Strategic Innovation Agenda and submit it to the Commission. The SIA shall highlight the long-term strategic areas of the EIT in the fields of key potential economic and societal interest which are likely to generate the greatest innovation added value at EU level. A more concrete and detailed strategy shall be drawn up in the triennial work programmes, allowing the EIT to respond to internal and external developments in the fields of science, technology, innovation and other relevant areas ;Evaluation: by 31 December 2010 at the latest and every seven years thereafter (rather than five years after the date of adoption and every four years thereafter), the Commission shall carry out an evaluation of the EIT.

• 2007/09/25 Debate in Parliament
  • Debate in Parliament
• 2007/07/23 Committee report tabled for plenary, 1st reading/single reading
  • A6-0293/2007
• 2007/07/09 Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading
• #2811
• 2007/06/25 Council Meeting
  • 2811 summary

    The Council held an exchange of views and reached an agreement on a general approach on a draft regulation aimed at establishing a European Institute of Technology (EIT).The debate took place during a public session on the basis of a compromise text elaborated by the presidency with the objective of achieving an agreement with the European Parliament at first reading during the upcoming EU presidency.According to the agreement, the financial envelope for the implementation of the EIT during a period of 6 years as from 1 January 2008 is set at EUR 308.7 million. The general approach reflects the two-step approach concept, according to which two to three initial Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) would be set up in a first step; and further KICs as well as a longer-term strategy of the EIT would be developed in a second step, subject to the evaluation of the EIT's activities. For the selection of initial KICs, priority EU policies, such as renewable energy and climate change will be taken into account.The EIT would perform most of its activities through the KICs, which are partnerships between the private sector, the research community and excellent teams from research communities and universities. They would fulfil a unique role in the European Research Area by combining all sides of the "knowledge triangle" (education, research and innovation) and thus enable the latest results from excellent basic research to be converted rapidly into new technologies to achieve breakthrough innovation in the market.The agreement gives a large measure of autonomy to both the EIT and the KICs in terms of operation and implementation. At the same time, long-term strategic policy guidance will be provided by the Parliament and the Council, which will adopt an strategic innovation agenda for future EIT activities.The agreement also recognises the principle of non-discrimination regarding the future language regime of the EIT.

• #2801
• 2007/05/21 Council Meeting
  • 2801 summary

    The Council held an exchange of views on a draft regulation aimed at establishing a European Institute of Technology (EIT). It instructed Council preparatory bodies to continue further work with a view to reaching an agreement on a general approach at the Council session on 25 and 26 June.The ministerial debate took place on the basis of a compromise text elaborated by the presidency and concentrated on the following outstanding issues:- the two-step approach concept, according to which a limited number of initial knowledge and innovation communities (KICs) would be set up as a first step; further KICs would be developed in a second phase after evaluation of EIT activities;- sources of financing. The compromise text notes an indicative budget of EUR 308.7 million for implementation of the EIT for a six-year period starting in 2008, thus matching the amount indicated in the Commission proposal;- the degree of autonomy of the EIT and the KICs in terms of operation and implementation. The compromise text considers allowing the use of an additional EIT label for recognised diplomas awarded by universities and higher-education institutes participating in the KICs.The EIT would perform its activities through KICs, which are partnerships between the private sector, the research community and excellent teams from research communities and universities. In accordance with the codecision procedure, the European Parliament is working in parallel with a view to presenting an opinion at first reading.The last Spring European Council asked the Parliament and the Council to conclude the examination of the proposal for a future EIT in the first half of 2007 with a view to taking a decision before the end of the year.

• 2007/01/18 Referral to associated committees announced in Parliament
• 2006/11/29 Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
• #2762
• 2006/11/13 Council Meeting
  • 2762
• 2006/10/18 Legislative proposal published
  • COM(2006)0604 summary

    PURPOSE:  the establishment of a “European Institute of Technology”.PROPOSED ACT: Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council.BACKGROUND:  this proposal is being presented as a backdrop to the Lisbon agenda, which emphasises the need to translate innovative discoveries into entrepreneurial results. Innovative discoveries, if controlled appropriately, can lead to more and better jobs.Studies indicate, however, that Europe is falling behind in filling the innovation gap. In particular, it is failing to develop an integrated “knowledge triangle” namely an effective synergy between a) education; b) research and c) innovation.  One major weakness is the EU’s perceived inability to convert knowledge into commercial opportunities. Global competition from both traditional competitors such as the US and Japan, as well as from emerging Asian economies, poses a challenge to the attractiveness of Europe as a knowledge area. In order to bridge the innovation gap between the EU and its major competitors and in order to tap into the unused seam of potential, the Community is proposing the establishment of the European Institute of Technology. The purpose being to address the Community’s weakness in translating competitive innovation into positive employment opportunities. In presenting this proposal, the Commission is hoping to brand the EIT as a world-class operator capable of serving as a high performance flagship and setting the standard for other European actors. The idea of creating an EIT was first put forward by Commission President Barroso in February 2005. Following a period of consultation and reflection the European Council, in June 2006, reaffirmed and acknowledged that a future “EIT could act as an important instrument in filling the gap between higher education, research and innovation and help create synergies resulting in competitive and innovative research.” It called on the Commission to present a formal proposal by autumn 2006. In presenting this proposal the Commission is fulfilling this mandate.CONTENT:  the EIT’s principle objective is to contribute towards the EU’s industrial competitiveness by reinforcing Member State’s innovation capacities. Proposed EIT tasks: The principle task of the EIT will be to integrate innovation, research and education under one framework. The EIT will be responsible for identifying strategic long-term challenges which are likely to generate the best innovative added value. Its other proposed responsibilities will include defining its own priorities and selecting those in which it will invest resources; raising awareness among potential partner organisation; selecting and designating KICs (see below); mobilising funds from both public and private sources; and promoting the recognition of EIT degrees and diplomas in the Member States. 3% of the EIT’s annual budget may be devoted to the setting up of a Foundation the purpose of which will be to promote and support EIT activities.Legal status and structure of EIT: The Commission proposes that the EIT will have a legal personality and that it will be solely responsible for meeting its obligations. The governing structure of the EIT will be strictly limited in size and will be built up over time to a total of thirty scientific and senior staff and thirty support staff. It will not be a Community Agency.Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs): The EIT will perform its activities through “Knowledge and Innovation Communities” to be referred to as KICs. In practice, KICs will take the form of either a partnership or a joint venture between the private sector, universities and research centres. The resources of the combined partnership will work together to promote innovation; the exploitation of results; research in areas of key economic concern; education and training at a master or doctoral level; and the dissemination of best practice. A KIC partnership will be selected by the EIT on the basis of a competitive, open and transparent process. Detailed specifications and conditions will be published. A KIC partnership will be selected depending on its ability to generate innovative research as well as the financial contributions it can bring into the partnership.Structure of KICs: The Commission is proposing that six KICs be created between 2007-2013. The proposal is based on the assumption that, at a cruising speed, one KIC could involve around 1000 staff of which around 100 would be academic staff, 300 would be researchers and 600 would be technical and supporting staff. A KIC could host approximately 600 Master students and 400 PhD candidates at any given time.Degrees and Diplomas: Education will play a crucial component of the EIT. The EIT will, therefore, promote the development of courses and doctoral programmes. Innovation will be one of the hall-marks of the degrees issued through the KICs. The Commission is keen that the EIT “brand” its degrees. In the majority of cases the degree awarding partners will be universities. The proposed Regulation states specifically that the degrees and diplomas awarded through a KIC will be EIT degrees and diplomas. The Member States are asked to co-operate in recognising EIT degrees and diplomas.Management of Intellectual Property: Guidelines for the management of intellectual property are proposed. They have been designed to enable the use of intellectual property under appropriate conditions for research innovative purposes. In addition, they have been created to act as incentives for EIT partners, to provide specific incentives for spin-offs and to generate commercial success. It will be the EIT’s responsibility to define the principles and guidelines for managing intellectual property issues.Budgetary implications and resources: Although the exact amount is difficult to define at this early stage, the Commission nevertheless predicts that the combined estimated funding for the EIT and KICs, between 2007 and 2013, will be EUR 2.4 billion. Financing of this amount, it is proposed, should derive from a number of sources including: the EU budget; the Member States; the private sector; bequests; donations; EIT generated revenue; and contributions from third countries and other international bodies or institutions.The Commission notes that no specific provision has been made for the EIT in the new legislative proposals on the “Inter-institutional Agreement”, which was agreed upon in May 2006. The actual EU contributions should, as a result, derive from a variety of sources including: the unallocated margins beneath the ceiling of sub-heading 1A. Funding from sub-heading 1A will amount to EUR 308.700 million.For further analysis of the financial implications on the EU budget, please refer to the financial statement.

  • DG {'url': 'http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/education_culture/', 'title': 'Education and Culture'}, FIGEĽ Ján

Documents

• Legislative proposal published: COM(2006)0604
• Debate in Council: 2762
• Debate in Council: 2801
• Debate in Council: 2811
• Committee report tabled for plenary, 1st reading/single reading: A6-0293/2007
• Debate in Parliament: Debate in Parliament
• Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading: T6-0409/2007
• Debate in Council: 2820
• Debate in Council: 2829
• Council position published: 15647/1/2007
• Committee recommendation tabled for plenary, 2nd reading: A6-0041/2008
• Debate in Council: 2852
• Results of vote in Parliament: Results of vote in Parliament
• Debate in Parliament: Debate in Parliament
• Decision by Parliament, 2nd reading: T6-0081/2008
• : Regulation 2008/294
• : OJ L 097 09.04.2008, p. 0001

History

(these mark the time of scraping, not the official date of the change)