Review of the Communication on the Framework for State aid for research and development and innovation

Policy field

Competition: State aid

 

Target group

All citizens, organisations, companies, and public authorities are welcome to contribute to this consultation.

 

Period of consultation

From 08.04.2021 to 03.06.2021 (8 weeks later)

 

Objective of the consultation

The evaluation of the Communication on the Framework for State aid for research and development and innovation (R&D&I) in the context of the Fitness Check of State aid rules showed that the current provisions are effective and facilitate investment in the field of R&D&I at both European and national levels. However, some targeted adjustments remain necessary to reflect current regulatory, economic and technological developments. New current Commission strategic priorities need also to be taken into account, such as the Industrial and Digital Strategy and the European Green Deal.

More specifically, the revision of the Framework for State aid for R&D&I focuses on the following areas:

1. Improving and updating the existing definitions of research and innovation activities eligible for support under the RDI Framework, in particular to clarify their applicability with respect to digital technologies and activities related to digitalisation. This aims at providing legal certainty to Member States and stakeholders, while facilitating RDI investments that will enable the digital transformation of companies in the EU.
2. Introducing new provisions to enable public support for technology infrastructures (e.g. facilities, equipment, capabilities and support services required to develop, test and upscale technology, such as testing labs) with a view to incentivise RDI investments in this type of infrastructures. This aims at further enabling the swift development of innovative technologies especially by small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and facilitating the green and digital transition of the EU economy.
3. Simplifying certain rules, for example by introducing a simplified indirect cost calculation methodology for determining the eligible costs, in order to facilitate the practical application of the RDI Framework, where the evaluation has identified possible excessive administrative burden for companies and managing authorities.

 

How to submit your contribution

We welcome contributions from citizens, organisations, companies and public authorities.

• If you are answering this consultation as a NGO or individual citizen, please click COMP-RDIF-REVIEWec [dot] europa [dot] eu (subject: HT.5967_Reply_from_a_citizen) (here) to submit your contribution.
• If you are answering this consultation on behalf of an association or organisation, please click COMP-RDIF-REVIEWec [dot] europa [dot] eu (subject: HT.5967_Reply_from_an_association_or_organisation) (here) to submit your contribution.
• If you are answering this consultation as a company, please click COMP-RDIF-REVIEWec [dot] europa [dot] eu (subject: HT.5967_Reply_from_a_company) (here) to submit your contribution.
• If you are answering this consultation on behalf of a public authority, please click COMP-RDIF-REVIEWec [dot] europa [dot] eu (subject: HT.5967_Reply_from_a_public_authority) (here) to submit your contribution.

Received contributions will be published on this webpage. Only submissions that are clearly marked "CONFIDENTIAL" (in English, in capital letters) will be treated as such and not published. In that case, please also provide a non-confidential version of your reply. It is important to read the privacy statement attached to this consultation for information on how your personal data and contribution will be dealt with.

We would appreciate receiving submissions electronically, as attachments to emails in .doc or .pdf format. Please see for contact details below.

Please note that we cannot guarantee to take account of replies received after the deadline.

 

Consultation document

Please note that the consultation will be launched based on the English version of the text. These are non-official translations. In case of doubt, the English version prevails.

Draft RDIF Communication (all languages) 

 

Reference documents

Please note that the background note will be launched based on the English version of the text. The translations into all EU languages will be added gradually to this website. These are non-official translations. In case of doubt, the English version prevails.

• Background note accompanying the consultation on the draft RDIF Communication (all languages)
• Roadmap
• Press release

 

Results of the public consultation

All non-confidential replies to the consultation are available here.

 

Contact details

Responsible service:
Directorate-General for Competition – Unit H2
Please always indicate the reference number in your correspondence: HT.5967

E-mail:
COMP-RDIF-REVIEWec [dot] europa [dot] eu (COMP-RDIF-REVIEW[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu)

Postal address:
European Commission
Directorate-General for Competition, Unit H1
State aid Registry
1049 Bruxelles /Brussel
Belgique /België
Ref.: HT.5967

 

Reason why the consultation period is less than 12 weeks

Need for an accelerated revision of the Framework for State aid for R&D&I to ensure a timely adoption as part of measures undertaken taken in response to the challenges in achieving the objectives of the Green Deal and Digital transformation.