Under the third round of the Fast Track to Innovation scheme the European Commission awards € 30.5 million to 15 innovative projects to speed up their access to market. The selected projects involve 68 partners in 16 countries.
The selected projects focus - amongst others - on photonics applications such as designing intelligent sensor enabled eyewear and creating a laser to treat glaucoma.
Carlos Moedas, Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation, said: “Through Horizon 2020, we want to give innovative businesses the support they need to fast-track their innovations to market. These latest results bring the total investment to nearly €100 million in fast-access EU funding for close-to-the-market innovation activities."
Launched in 2015 the third round of the Fast track to Innovation scheme attracted 403 projects proposals involving 1700 participants. Almost half of the project participants are SMEs.
The Fast track to Innvation scheme promotes mature innovative concepts that have already been tested. Supported innovation activities include systems validation in real working conditions, testing piloting, validation of business models and standard setting and pre-normative research.
With a budget of €200 million the scheme runs until the end of 2016 and supports any topic under the "Societal Challenges" and "Leadership in Enabling and Industrial Technologies" pillar of Horizon 2020. Proposals can be submitted at any time through one continuously open call. The next cut-off dates for applications are 15 March, 1 June and 25 October 2016.
You can view the press release.