On 17 August 2020, the Commission published an invitation in order to collect the interest of private and public entities in becoming a founding member of the new European Partnership on Rail Research and Innovation.

On the basis of the results achieved through the Shift2Rail project, and within the objectives set by the European Green Deal Investment Plan (EGDIP), the new partnership aims to transform rail’s system architecture, increasing emphasis on freight and digitalisation and enhancing focus on deployment of innovative solutions. For that purpose, several conditions need to be met, such as abiding by the fundamental principles of transparency, openness, long-term financial commitment, flexibility and complementarity with other Union’s initiatives, a limited duration and the possibility to achieve the objectives of Horizon Europemore effectively than the Union alone.

If interested, entities should send the Commission a letter no later than 1 October 2020, specifying their motivation, the purposes they want to pursue and the related procedures. Thereafter, following an overall examination taking into account, amongst other things, the entity’s know-how in rail research and innovation, the readiness to embrace multi-annual projects and a commitment of at least EUR 30 million net contribution, the Commission will contact the suitable entities no later than the end of the month.

Marco Stillo