The European Commission have opened a consultation on the future of Joint Undertakings including the Chips JU to shape the framework fro Joint Undertaking under Horizon Europe 2028-2034.
This is of significant importance for photonics as the Commission’s current plans are to expand the EU Chip ACT 2 to include photonics. Therefore much of the future European funding for photonics is likely to fall under such Joint Undertakings. This legal mechanism is materially different to how EU photonics funding flowed under much of the current Horizon Europe framework programme and can impact the type, breadth and focus of calls and therefore the relevance and ability to join consortia. The consultation makes clear a number of problems in current JU’s the Commission is seeking to resolve.
The UK is an associated member of the current Horizon Europe program and all indications are that the UK will seek to associate to the next programme. UK gov continue to analyse the plans for Chip Act 2.0 and what it may mean for UK collaboration. This is an ideal complimentary opportunity to input direct to the European Commission on what worked well and where improvement is needed for the smooth running of future Joint undertakings, including Chips JU 2.0.
