According to a Science | Business article, there have been many criticisms towards the creation of the European Innovation Council (EIC), as part of the future Horizon Europe research program. Indeed, the risk of duplicating the functions and activities of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) was sustained.
Research Director-General Jean-Eric Paquet, on the other hand, defended the EIC, denying any possible competition with the EIT, which is equally envisaged in Horizon Europe and considered a key player capable of achieving remarkable results. The two innovation agencies will offer different services to researchers and companies, with a view to cooperation.
The EIC is expected to receive 10.5 billion euros, about 11% of the 94.1 billion euros allocated to Horizon Europe for the period 2021-2027. The EIT, whose funding under Horizon 2020 amounts to 2.4 billion euros, will get 3 billion with the new research program, according to the Commission’s proposal.