The Academy of Sciences of Moldova and the European Commission have launched the EU Framework Program for Research and Innovation “Horizon 2020”, which has a budget of €80 billion and divided into seven years, IPN reports.
Academician Gheorghe Duca, president of the national association committee to the Framework Program “Horizon 2020”, told a news conference that Moldova is the only Eastern Partnership country that held the status of associate state of the previous Seventh Framework Program. “We want to obtain a similar status for “Horizon 2020” and the negotiations on the issue are at an advanced stage. By this association, we aim to strengthen the integration of the scientific community into the European research area and, in the end, to contribute to Moldova’s integration into the EU,” he stated.
The academician underlined that the Seventh Framework Program Moldova showed positive participation dynamics. The researchers won 53 projects, the EU’s financial contribution for the Moldovan participants being 70 million lei.
Director general of the European Commissions’ Directorate General for Research and Innovation Robert-Jan Smits said the “Horizon 2020” Program brings together all the financing programs existing in the EU in the area of research and innovation. The program will contribute to building a leading position in the industrial sector in Europe. It will also stimulate the excellence of the scientific base that is essential for the long-term durability, prosperity and welfare of Europe.
The researchers will be able to submit projects in such areas as future and emerging technologies and advanced manufacturing and processing systems. Innovations in small and medium enterprises, health, public security, and sustainable agriculture will be also financed.
