Boosting the EU’s competitiveness in nanoelectronics and embedded computer systems

This European Union law establishes a private-public sector partnership called ECSEL which seeks to rapidly bridge the gap from research to market and thus keep Europe at the forefront of electronic components and systems.

ACT

Council Regulation (EU) No 561/2014 of 6 May 2014 establishing the ECSEL joint undertaking.

SUMMARY

ECSEL merges two existing EU joint technology initiatives (JTIs), in the areas of nanoelectronics (ENIAC) and embedded computing systems (Artemis), and the European Technology Platform (ETP) on smart integrated systems (EPoSS). It uns from 2014 to 2024. Electronic components and systems are key to product and productivity innovation across the economy and play an important role in addressing a range of challenges facing society.

These areas are priority themes in Horizon 2020, the EU’s research and innovation programme for the 2014-20 period.

Objectives

• Contribute to a strong and competitive European electronic components and systems industry.
• Provide all stakeholders with access to a world-class infrastructure for the design and manufacture of electronic components and embedded and smart systems.

Benefits

ECSEL:

• secures the supply of key digital technologies supporting innovation in all major sectors of Europe’s economy and ensure its independence in the field;
• works to achieve critical mass resulting in the development of clusters, particularly involving SMEs;
• reduces risk and time to market;
• coordinates strategies with EU countries to attract private investment, thus ensuring that there is no duplication of effort;
• reduces costs by pooling resources.

Partners

• The European Commission.
• EU countries and associated countries.
• Three private industrial associations (EPoSS, AENEAS and the ARTEMIS Industry Association) representing the areas of micro- and nanoelectronics, smart integrated systems and embedded/cyber-physical systems.

Budget

The EU is investing some €1.18 billion in ECSEL through Horizon 2020. Participating EU countries are expected to at least match this funding and other partners will contribute at least €2.34 billion.

Context

The Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (Article 187) allows for the setting up of joint undertakings as a means by which the public and private sectors in EU countries can join forces for the efficient execution of Union research, technological development and demonstration programmes.

Last updated: 03.08.2014