Meanwhile a foresight study is underway and a public consultation opens next month.

Smits gave some early thoughts on the predominant themes of the new programme, including defence research, more capacity building research money for EU13 countries (post-2004 Member States); support for companies; and ways to bump up international participation.

There was also a brief update on the European Innovation Council, which Smits said was borne out of the feeling that grants are not always available for risky projects.

The Commission is expected to release its proposal for FP9 early in 2018. It will then take between a year and a half and two years to clear it with the European Parliament and the EU governments, Smits said.

Christian Ehler, MEP, who is to be the parliament’s main draftsman on FP9, said the parliament will propose €100 billion for the programme.

More information: http://sciencebusiness.net/news/79953/EU-Commission-sketches-out-the-route-to-next-research-programme