Energy Information Day 2016-2017 Calls SSH Embedding in H2020 Energy Research

Gerd Schönwälder DG RTD.G.1 – Strategy

HORIZON 2020

THE EU FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME FOR RESEARCH AND INNOVATION

Social sciences and the humanities (SSH) are key planks in the EC's research and innovation support

Horizon 2020: Commitment to embed SSH aspects across all the research support provided. Energy Union: SSH aspects as enablers for tackling related priorities (through citizen involvement, social dialogue, social innovation). SET Plan: SSH considerations cut across and inform other challenges (modelling, societal impacts, innovation support)

Why is SSH embedding important for energy research and innovation?

The transition to a low-carbon energy system is a complex societal, not just a technical problem.

It changes the interrelations between all relevant actors in the system, raising technical, policy, as well as governance challenges.

SSH can help policymakers and communities make sense of these challenges and their implications as well as their specific roles.

SSH embedding in practice – Horizon 2020

No self-standing SSH programme in H2020 - SSH embedded as a cross-cutting issue

Why? H2020 is challenge-based: the knowledge needed to address complex societal challenges is spread across multiple disciplines, including SSH

Expected impact: R&I geared towards solutions that are relevant to societal needs, directly applicable or marketable, and cost efficient.

INTEGRATION OF SSH IN WP 2014-15

In WP 2016-2017, fewer "SSH-flagged" topics in SC3, but much deeper SSH integration.

Some Remaining Challenges … Much important work on SSH aspects of current

energy research is already being done, BUT Relevant research communities are fragmented:

differences among the various SSH disciplines, and between "social scientists" and "technologists" This works against stronger involvement by SSH

specialists, and it diminishes the capacity of more technologically-oriented approaches to provide workable solutions to our present-day challenges.

A new platform for SSH (LCE 32) The European Commission is proposing to set up a new European platform for energy-related SSH research. It will: Make use of and integrate experiences accumulated by existing energy-related SSH networks; Identify research gaps for SSH in the energy field Strengthen the dialogue among different stakeholders at EU level on energy research, including technologists and other non-SSH experts.

SSH is critical for delivering key energy-research priorities

Energy Union relies on research and innovation to achieve greater energy security, sustainability and competitiveness. These aren't purely technical challenges: SSH will be critical in emphasizing social dialogue and social innovation and better understanding the parameters driving citizen involvement.

SSH support for the Energy Union (LCE 31)

Need for more dedicated support for SSH-related energy research, to deliver key energy-research priorities Energy Union relies on research and innovation to achieve greater energy security, sustainability and competitiveness. SSH will be critical in emphasizing social dialogue and social innovation and better understanding the parameters driving citizen involvement.

Two funding windows:

In 2016, focus on energy-related choices and behaviour (individually and collectively) In 2017, focus on socioeconomic incentive structures, and political, institutional and organizational (i.e. governance) frameworks

… about the SME Instrument SME Instrument helps SMEs contribute to various sub-challenges under SC3 (SMEs also participate in other calls!) Funding is provided for three project phases (feasibilitydemonstrationcommercialization) 2014: Phase 1: 7% success rate; Phase 2: 13% Funding envelop increased to 7% of SC3 in 2016-2017 from 5% in 2014-2015 (7% target for H2020) Overall, 19% of all recipients were SMEs, receiving 21% of the total budget for SC3

Thank You!

Gerd Schönwälder, Policy Analyst European Commission, DG Research and Innovation (RTG) Unit G.1 (Energy-Strategy) email: gschonwalder@ec.europa.eu tel.: +32 2 29 85869