Public–Private Partnerships | Research and Innovation

Researchers test solar panels in Malta’s harsh conditions to develop tools that keep them running longer. © Brian Azzopardi, 2023

Energy | Industry | Science in society | Public–Private Partnerships

Sun, salt, sand: how Malta became a testing ground for solar power

Researchers are using Malta’s harsh weather conditions to test solar panels on the ground, train technicians and develop tools that could help keep ...

The 2026 EU Prize for Women Innovators celebrates the women behind some of Europe’s most promising innovations. © Lumentio/EIC, 2026

Science in society | Public–Private Partnerships

From saving sight to next-generation logistics: meet the 2026 EU Women Innovators

AI-assisted brain surgery, a reusable space capsule and a mission to clean up global supply chains. The winners of the 2026 EU Prize for Women ...

The European Innovation Council Summit helps turn research into real‑world products by backing European start‑ups. © Lumentio/EIC, 2026

Frontier research | Industry | Science in society | Public–Private Partnerships

From prosthetics to paper and AI: Europe’s innovation summit backs new tech

Europe has the science. Now it needs the scale. An EU-backed start-up summit is trying to close that gap.

Renewable lithium battery packs in solar-powered street lights could last longer than standard lead-acid batteries. Image credit: Pixabay/ Skitterphoto

Energy | Public–Private Partnerships | Open Innovation

Charged up – the batteries lighting the way to a more sustainable future

Street lights may seem just part of the mundane backdrop of life, but many firms have been devising exciting ideas for powering them more cheaply and making them do far more than illuminate a dark road.

There are nearly 100 hydrogen buses on European roads, yet many people do not know hydrogen-fuelled vehicles are already on the market, according to Bart Biebuyck. Image courtesy of Bart Biebuyck

Energy | Interview | Public–Private Partnerships

We have to let people know that hydrogen technology is ready – Bart Biebuyck

People don’t know that hydrogen-fuelled vehicles and home heating systems are already on the market, and that is the biggest obstacle to their uptake, according to Bart Biebuyck, the recently appointed executive director of the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking, a public-private partnership between the EU and the fuel cell and hydrogen industries.

Biomass is the best way to transform, reuse and recycle carbon dioxide according to Dr Philippe Mengal. Image courtesy of Philippe Mengal

Agriculture | Interview | Public–Private Partnerships

All products based on fossil fuels could be made from biomass – Dr Philippe Mengal

Non-edible biomass could replace petrochemicals in providing energy to heat and light our homes, as well as in producing a vast array of plastics, lubricants, paints and a host of industrial chemicals, according to Dr Philippe Mengal, the recently appointed executive director of the Bio-Based Industries Joint Undertaking (BBI JU), a public-private partnership between the EU and bio-based industries.

Fusing bacterial proteins to fluorescent molecules has revealed details about the mechanics of cell division, which could be exploited by a new generation of highly targeted drugs. Image from M. Pazos, M. Casanova, P. Palacios, W. Margolin, P. Natale, and M. Vicente. 2014. FtsZ placement in nucleoid-free bacteria. PLoS ONE 9(3): e91984. Courtesy of DIVINOCELL.

Health | Public–Private Partnerships

Complex molecules could beat back drug-resistant bacteria

New imaging techniques are helping give researchers an edge over nature, allowing them to create revolutionary new antibiotics which bacteria will struggle to develop resistance against.

The first calls for research proposals were announced at an event in Brussels on 9 July which included European Commission President José Manuel Barroso and European Commissioner for Research, Innovation and Science, Máire Geoghegan-Quinn. © European Commission

Public–Private Partnerships | Horizon 2020

Diabetes, hydrogen vehicles among targets at EUR 1 bn launch of EU-industry partnerships

The EU, European Member States and private companies have teamed up to boost economic competitiveness, create jobs and stimulate growth through seven public-private partnerships. They have announced EUR 1.13 billion of public funding to researchers who can help find solutions to some of the most pressing issues.

Andy Doherty, vice-chairman of the European Rail Research Advisory Council, believes rail innovation could have a major impact on the experience of Europe's rail users.

Public–Private Partnerships | Interview | Transport

Virtually connected train convoys to help solve Europe’s transport problems - Andy Doherty

The convoying of trains could be one way to help double railway capacity and reduce carbon emissions, according to Andy Doherty, vice-chairman of the European Rail Research Advisory Council andDirector of railways system engineering at Network Rail, the UK rail network operator.

Eric Dautriat, chief executive of Clean Sky. The Clean Sky JTI is working to reduce the environmental footprint of aviation.

Public–Private Partnerships | Interview | Environment

Research can reduce emissions and spur European aerospace innovation – Eric Dautriat

Rethinking aircraft engines and new wing designs have the potential to cut carbon emissions and noise, as well as to boost Europe’s aerospace industry, according to Eric Dautriat, chief executive of the Clean Sky Joint Technology Initiative (JTI).

Europe needs strong action, in which private and public investors get together, in order to keep ahead in the global electronics market, according to Dr Andreas Wild, executive director of the ECSEL initiative.

Public–Private Partnerships | Interview | Industry

Pooling funding to accelerate the move to smart electronics – Dr Andreas Wild

If we want Europe to gain market share in developing technology for smart devices like phones and tablets, we must embrace public–private partnerships, according to Dr Andreas Wild, executive director of the EU’s new Electronic Components and Systems for European Leadership (ECSEL) Joint Technology Initiative.

Florian Guillermet, the executive director of the SESAR Joint Undertaking, believes there needs to be a fundamental change in the way air traffic is managed.

Public–Private Partnerships | Interview | Transport

Europe needs to modernise its sky - Florian Guillermet

European pilots will be able to fold away their maps and free up their radio frequency in favour of more advanced technologies to communicate their trajectories with air traffic control, said Florian Guillermet, the executive director of the SESAR Joint Undertaking. These are just some of the ways in which SESAR, a public-private partnership, is contributing to Europe’s goal of modernising its air traffic management (ATM) system and joining up its fragmented skies.

Hydrogen could make renewable energy a more attractive alternative to fossil fuels, according to Bert De Colvenaer, executive director of the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking.

Public–Private Partnerships | Interview | Energy

Hydrogen could help secure Europe’s energy supply – Bert De Colvenaer

The ability to store electricity using hydrogen could make wind and solar power a secure energy source, freeing Europe from its dependency on imported fossil fuels, according to Bert De Colvenaer, executive director of the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking, a public-private partnership.