Sci-tech collaborations between the EU and the USA
The EU-funded BILAT-USA project, composed of partners from Europe and the United States, was initiated to sustainably promote a knowledge-based dialogue platform between the two regions. Their aim was to identify the factors that promote S&T partnerships in the European Framework Programme (FP) and resolve issues that act as obstacles. To promote EU–US collaboration in EU FPs, several awareness-raising activities, training and thematic workshops, linked brokerage events and symposia were held. The participation of BILAT-USA in the 2012 Annual Conference of the NORDP improved knowledge on transatlantic cooperation opportunities to research and development professionals and administrators. meetings and events such as the two EU–US science forums on global issues enabled communication with leading scientists, policymakers and other stakeholders from both sides of the Atlantic. It was realised that scientific knowledge transfer through educational exchange and mentoring programmes would be mutually beneficial. A comparative analysis was performed on research and development (R&D) spending, policies and the funding priority-setting process in EU, EU Member States and the United States. A report was also produced highlighting administrative and legal barriers to EU–US FP7 collaboration and lack of United States funding programmes. The report on United States participation in the EU FPs provided conclusions and recommendations for policymakers and highlighted the need for bilateral funding agreements BILAT-USA was highly successful in its endeavours, resulting in the development of an online portal that acts as the major information point for EU–US S&T cooperation activities. Besides this, dissemination activities such as a project info brochure, e-newsletters, e-alerts, news and press releases as well as five articles increased project visibility. successful project outcomes led to the formation of the BILAT-USA 2.0 project to follow up and further promote EU–US S&T partnerships until 2015.
