This document summarizes a presentation about Joint Programming Initiatives (JPIs) given by Dr. Pamela Byrne. JPIs are a new concept that involve member states collaborating voluntarily on common strategic research agendas to more effectively address major societal challenges. The presentation outlines what JPIs are, why they are needed given the fragmented state of European research funding, and how they will operate through common governance structures and strategic research agendas. An example JPI on "A Healthy Diet for a Healthy Life" is provided to illustrate how JPIs aim to tackle grand challenges through long-term visions and coordinated research among member states.

1. Joint Programming
“Working together to tackle
common challenges more effectively “
Dr. Pamela Byrne,
National Contact Point for Theme 2: Food, Agriculture and
Fisheries, and Biotechnology
FP7-Environment - National Information Day
Wednesday 6th October 2010
Hilton Dublin Airport Hotel, Ireland

2. • What are JPI’s?
• Why do we need JPI’s?
• How will JPI’s operate?
• Case study – “A healthy diet for a healthy life”
Copyright ©Pamela Byrne 2010

3. “Member States working together
to tackle major societal
challenges more effectively “
Copyright ©Pamela Byrne 2010

4. What are JPI’s?
• Brand new concept to address lack of collaboration
& coordination between national public R&D
programmes
• JPI’s involve
– MS engaging on a voluntary & on a variable geometry
basis
– the development & implementation of a common
strategic research agenda based on a common vision on
how to address major societal challenges
Copyright ©Pamela Byrne 2010

5. What are JPI’s?
• Requires combining resources
– selecting or developing the most appropriate instrument(s);
– collectively monitoring & reviewing progress
• Recognise the importance of existing activities & initiatives
• Recognise the need for a new & more strategic approach
• Calls for MS to increase their collaboration
• Recognise the competence of MS over the choice of R&D
policies & the related allocation of resources
Copyright ©Pamela Byrne 2010

6. Identifying themes for Joint Programming
• Creation of a High Level Group on Joint Programming (GPC) to
identify Joint Programming themes
• Ireland represented by Dept. of Enterprise, Trade & innovation
• Criteria used to identify themes:
– Effective commitment of MS
– Theme is focused and addresses a European / Global challenge
– Clear & realistic objectives can be set
– Clear added value to existing situation in research funding
– Relevant stakeholders have been involved
– Potential of generating benefits for European citizens / competitiveness
and of increasing efficiency and impact of public R&D financing by
involving the key public initiatives in the area
Copyright ©Pamela Byrne 2010

7. The Process …
• Consultation of stakeholders by MS
Thru’out • Proposals to GPC
2009
• Identification of Joint Programming Themes by GPC
End 09 • Adoption by Council
End 09 – • C’ion proposal for Council recommendation on basis of themes identified
May 10
• Council adopts recommendation & launches selected initiatives
2010
•Interim management structures, development of Vision, pooling of resources
… by end etc.. by interested MS & facilitation by C’ion
2010 •Implementation begins
Copyright ©Pamela Byrne 2010

8. In summary JPI’s are designed to
→To tackle common European “grand challenges”
→To pool national research efforts & build on the
experience of existing national programmes
Copyright ©Pamela Byrne 2010

9. Why do we need JPI’s?
If we agree that:-
• Science & technology must contribute to solving major
societal challenges
• Benefits of R&D are not currently optimised due to
compartmentalisation of public funding in the EU
• National research programmes are important … but they are
NOT equipped to tackle major European societal problems
alone
Then JPI’s can be a process to deal with these issues
Copyright ©Pamela Byrne 2010

10. Why do we need JPI’s?
• Total sum of funding for STI in EU27 + EC which
equates to approx. €90 billion (Source: ERA Key figures
2007, EC)
• 85% of public funding for STI in the EU is
uncoordinated
• Duplication & fragmentation of research effort
“Europe's research landscape is deeply
compartmentalised”
Copyright ©Pamela Byrne 2010

11. How will JPI’s operate?
• All will differ slightly but all have appropriate
Governance Structure
• Common Framework currently being
developed
• C’ion provide funding under Co-ordination &
Support Action to support management of JPI
Copyright ©Pamela Byrne 2010

12. How will JPI’s operate?
Implementation
Strategic
Common Vision of Strategic
Research Agenda
Research Agenda
Copyright ©Pamela Byrne 2010

13. Examples of JPI’s – “Grand Challenges”
• Alzheimer’s & other neurodegenerative diseases
• Agriculture, Food Security & Climate Change
• Cultural Heritage
• Antimicrobial resistance
• Water challenges for a Changing World
• A Healthy Diet for a Health Life
Copyright ©Pamela Byrne 2010

14. Case study
“A Healthy Diet for a Healthy Life”
The grand challenge…
• In 2008, across the EU 27, 59% of adult men
and 48% of adult women were either
overweight or obese (Source: IASO – Overweight and Obesity in the EU)
Decrease in life expectancy
Increase in health costs
Copyright ©Pamela Byrne 2010

15. Case Study
“A Healthy Diet for a Healthy Life”
The vision of the JPI “A healthy diet for a healthy life” is:
“By 2030 all Europeans will have the motivation,
ability and opportunity to choose a healthy diet
from a variety of foods, have healthy levels of
physical activity and the incidence of diet-
related chronic diseases will have decreased
significantly”
Copyright ©Pamela Byrne 2010

16. Case Study
“A Healthy Diet Healthier diets & reduced
incidence of diet-related
diseases
for a
Policy-making; effective communication
Healthy Life” & knowledge and technology transfer
Full operation of European Research Area:
full cooperation & collaboration in research
Determinants of Diet-related chronic
Diet and food
diet and physical diseases
production
activity
Safe & Sustainable Foods
Identification of joint activities, improving research infrastructure,
harmonising research standards, curricula, providing access to infrastructure,
databases, cohort studies, …
National food & nutrition programmes; EU & regional funding
Copyright ©Pamela Byrne 2010

17. Within Ireland
• National Steering Group – DAFF; SFI; MI; Forfas; EI;
HRB & other stakeholders incl. academia
• Members of the Management Board
• Next management meeting in Ireland in November
• Consultation on Vision has been taking place
• Irish nominations to the Scientific Advisory Board of
the JPI
Copyright ©Pamela Byrne 2010

18. Thank you for your attention
Dr. Pamela A. Byrne,
NCP FP7 Theme 2 FAFB
pamela.byrne@agriculture.gov.ie
Copyright ©Pamela Byrne 2010