European Union (EU) says it is stepping up efforts to get more Nigerian researchers to participate in its Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, known as Horizon 2020.
“The initiative focuses on excellence in science, industrial leadership and tackling societal challenges, and provides about €80 billion for research and innovation projects around the world,” the EU said in a statement released Wednesday by Modestus Chukwulaka, its information officer.
The objective is to produce world-class science, remove barriers to innovation, and make it easier for the public and private sectors to work together to deliver innovation.
Launched in 2014, it will run through 2020, and researchers and innovators from Nigeria and the rest of Africa are expected to take part in the opportunities presented by Horizon 2020 to cooperate with European partners, since their participation has been minimal.
To reverse this trend, the EU CAAST-Net Plus project is organising workshops to raise awareness about Horizon 2020 and the opportunities it offers in Africa, and to increase the number of National Contact Points (NCPs) within the continent.
In collaboration with the EU Delegation in Nigeria, the CAAST-Net Plus held information sessions on Horizon 2020 in Lagos on November 8 and 9, with the aim to increase Nigerian researchers’ understanding of the programme.
A hands-on training for existing and potential National Contact Points was conducted during the event.
The overall objectives of the workshop are to increase the awareness of Horizon 2020 and the opportunities suitable for Africa-EU collaboration in the programme, provide guidelines for participation, submission of proposals and identification of partners for a proposal.
Others are to provide information about National Contacts Points and their roles as well as provide information and tools for new or potential National Contact Points to better carry out the task to support their research community.
Researchers, representatives of innovative institutions, current or potential National Contact Points participated in the workshops.
The EU is active on several fronts to help ensure that European research and innovation possibilities are open to the world. Horizon 2020 is the biggest EU research and innovation programme ever and the biggest multinational programme of its kind.
According to the EU, three Nigerian entities are currently receiving funding through Horizon 2020 in the areas of food security, sustainable agriculture and research infrastructure.
