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Research and innovation

Public-private partnerships in transport research

Aim of partnerships

Partnerships between the EU and industry intend to bring project results closer to the market and improve the link between research and societal growth.

Public-private partnerships take the form of Joint Undertakings (JUs), European Technology Platforms (ETPs) or Contractual public-private partnerships (cPPPs).

Joint Undertakings

Through these partnerships with the private sector, the EU pools Europe’s resources to tackle the biggest challenges, support competitiveness to deliver high quality jobs, and encourage greater private investment in research and innovation.

More information about Joint Undertakings

Shift2Rail Joint Undertaking

Shift2Rail JU brings together industry, SMEs and research centres, aiming to help create a Single European Railway Area.

The partnership drives advanced research and innovation solutions that deliver more competitive and resource-efficient European rail.

Shift2Rail website

Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking

FCH JU is a public-private partnership between the European Commission, Europe's fuel cell and hydrogen industry and research organisations

Its aim is to accelerate the market introduction of fuel cell and hydrogen energy technologies in Europe to help achieve a carbon-clean energy system.

FCH JU website

Clean Sky 2 Joint Undertaking

Clean Sky 2 JU develops innovative technologies to reduce aircraft CO2 emissions and noise levels by 2050.

The partnership brings together SMEs, research centres universities and industry, creating a very wide and innovative network. It has more than 600 participating entities in 24 countries. 

Clean Sky 2 website 

SESAR Joint Undertaking

SESAR JU is developing solutions to fundamentally change air traffic management in Europe. 

The partnership brings together over 100 separate organisations - airport operators, air navigation service providers (ANSPs), manufacturers and industry - to deliver on a Single European Sky.

SESAR website

European Technology Platforms

European Technology Platforms (ETPs) are industry-led stakeholder fora that develop short to long-term research and innovation agendas and roadmaps for action at EU and national level to be supported by both private and public funding.

European Road Transport Research Advisory Council (ERTRAC)

ERTRAC represents a wide range of industries and services in the road transport sector. It improves coordination between European, national, regional public and private road transport research activities. It also creates synergies by networking and clustering research and innovation capacities.

ERTRAC website

European Rail Research Advisory Council (ERRAC)

ERRAC gives all major rail stakeholders the opportunity to help evolve the European rail sector and make it more competitive, by fostering increased innovation and guiding research efforts at European level. It also helps shape a favourable funding landscape for railway research and innovation.

ERRAC website 

Advisory Council for Aviation Research and innovation in Europe (ACARE)  

ACARE brings together European public and private stakeholders to radically improve aeronautics and air transport in Europe. ACARE's roadmap outlines the strategic directions to enable Europe to remain a global leader, whilst fulfilling societal and environmental needs.

ACARE website

Waterborne Technology Platform

The Waterborne Technology Platform aims to transform the sector into a zero-emission mode of transport. The partnership ensures coordination amongst stakeholders to realise this goal as soon as possible, by developing knowledge, technologies and solutions together and speeding up investments in research and innovation.

Waterborne TP website

Alliance for logistics innovation through collaboration in Europe (ALICE)

ALICE offers opportunities for all different kind of stakeholders operating in the logistics sector to collaborate. Its aim is to reach efficient logistics and supply chain operations and support implementing Horizon 2020 in the area of logistics.

ALICE website

Contractual public-private partnerships (cPPPs)

cPPPs help to tackle societal challenges, including climate change, and to support energy and resource efficiency, and to boost digital innovation and security. 

They also have an impact on the the global technical lead of European based industry, economic growth and creation of new high-skilled jobs in Europe.

The EU contributes financially - with €7.1 billion in Horizon 2020 - while the industry is also committed to leverage further investments in research and innovation, work on cutting-edge technologies and ensure the competitive edge of the European industry.

More information about cPPPs

European Green Vehicle Initiative (EGVI)

EGVI brings together 82 members from industry, research institutes and academia. It aims to accelerate the research, development and demonstration needed to transition to greener road transport and boost the innovative strength and competitiveness of the European economy.

EGVI website

Factories of the Future (FoF)

Factories of the Future brings together organisations active in production technologies research, development and innovation.

It aims to strengthen Europe’s industrial competitiveness and sustainability.

FoF website