Commission launches work on major research and innovation missions for cancer, climate, oceans and soil

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Today the European Commission launched the work on five major research and innovation missionsthat will be part of Horizon Europe, which is the next framework programme (2021 – 2027) and has a proposed budget of €100 billion. The European research and innovation missions aim to deliver solutions to some of the greatest challenges facing our world, including cancer prevention and treatment, climate change, healthy oceans, carbon-neutral smart cities and healthy soil and food.  At the occasion of the Informal Council for Research Ministers in Helsinki, Finland, Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation, Carlos Moedas, announced the appointment of five prominent experts to chair the mission boards: Ms Connie Hedegaard, Professor Harald zur Hausen, Mr Pascal Lamy, Professor Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz and Mr Cees Veerman. Among their tasks will be to identify and design the missions as well as propose specific targets and timelines. Also today, Professor Mariana Mazzucato, Special Advisor for Mission Driven Science and Innovation to Commissioner Moedas, presented a new report “Governing Missions in the European Union“, which outlines the conditions of making missions a success. Commissioner Moedas said: “I am excited to see the mobilisation of such high-profile people to help us solve our generation’s biggest challenges through research and innovation missions. The missions will be in good hands with the commitment, drive and leadership that these outstanding individuals will bring. The new report from Professor Mazzucato, who has already been such a decisive source of inspiration, will give us further insights into how we make the missions a success.”  

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