European partnerships

Inria is unequivocally within the sphere of European research

Jean-Pierre Banâtre

Preparation for the 8th European Framework Programme, ERC grants, a new Franco-Italian project team, the start-up of EIT ICT Labs... Inria's European activities are rich and dense, and are as multi-faceted as its commitment to European research as a whole.

Interview with Jean-Pierre Banâtre, European partnerships director.

Is Inria involved in Europe?

Jean-Pierre Banâtre: Our activities are unequivocally within the sphere of European research. In fact, only Europe is of a size to compete with the major economic and financial powers or emerging countries for which information and communication science and technology is a development driver. Our researchers are highly motivated, which explains our success with calls for proposals for European programmes. The Institute is involved with 150 proposals selected under the 7th Framework Programme for research and development (FP7) including more than 80 within the "information and communication technology" theme in the Cooperation programme.

We can also be proud of the 23 successful applicants for ERC grants, working in Inria's Project-Team. A great achievement which confers a prime status on us in the field of computer science and mathematics in Europe. These results put the spotlight on the diversity and originality of our researchers' projects and work.

In addition to European programmes, we also undertake some direct activities with partners in neighbouring countries. We have recently set up two joint project teams, one with the CWI, a Dutch research institute, the other with the Italian university of Bologna. And we are proud to be contributing, with 23 other European partners, to the major project of ICST knowledge and innovation community, EIT ICT Labs.

The EIT ICT Labs proposal was selected in December 2009. What is the situation with it today?

Jean-Pierre Banâtre: EIT ICT Labs has entered its active phase, with in particular the arrival in September 2010 of Willem Jonker to run it and the setting up of the steering board on which Jean-Luc Beylat from Alcatel Lucent and I are the French representatives. Lastly, Bruno Le Dantec (Inria) is heading the French node. More progress, the premises of the Paris "co-localisation" site on avenue d'Italie host several activities. Mention could be made of the LINCS joint laboratory, dedicated to research in the internet of the future, involving Inria, the French Telecoms Institute, Paris 6 university, Alcatel Lucent and Orange, together with the "technology transfer centre" and the "mobile services initiative", both run by Inria.

What about upcoming new projects?

Jean-Pierre Banâtre: The major project currently starting is the preparation for the next Framework Programme of the European Community which will cover the period from 2014 to 2020, with a first call in late 2013. It involves helping to define new European directions. This forward-looking deliberation should make it possible to determine which tools and initiatives need to be launched in promising sectors for European development, such as that of flagship initiatives in future and emerging technologies (FET flagship initiatives). New public-private partnership initiatives could also provide a response to the major issues of the day: development of the internet of the future, energy management, etc. We are involved in current thinking with much interest.

Keywords: Europe Partnerships ERC EIT ICT Labs ICT Labs

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