When looking at innovation capabilities , Germany is amongst the front-runners in the world, according to different sources and studies. Also, many European countries are ranked in the top tier when it comes to innovation and competitiveness. Still, major players and business models in digital innovation and transformation seem to come from the United States.
The topic at hand is whether Europe can become a world leader in innovation and digital transformation in the future by uniting their efforts and pool their capabilities and resources e.g. in a joint institution to gain the top spot globally and also stay there in the upcoming decades. This paper tries to introduce a concept of how Europe can bundle their capabilities, as this poses a significant challenge for Germany as the innovation leader in Europe as well as for Europe in general, inheriting so many capabilities in e.g. Switzerland, Sweden or the United Kingdom. The paper lays out some definitional foundations, followed by a brief overview of institutions in Germany and Europe and then tries to introduce a possible solution how to unite resources and facilities to strengthen the European path to innovation leadership, followed by a conclusion.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1 Intro
- 1.1 What is innovation leadership?
- 1.2 Working definition
- 2 Current situation
- 2.1 Germany
- 2.1.1 Agency for Disruptive Innovation in Cybersecurity (ADIC)
- 2.1.2 Agency for Leapfrog-innovations (SprinD)
- 2.1.3 Cyber Innovation Hub (CIH)
- 2.1.4 CODE
- 2.2 Europe
- 2.2.1 Joint European Disruptive Initiative (JEDI)
- 2.2.2 EU institutions and initiatives
- 2.2.2.1 European Innovation Council (EIC)
- 2.2.2.2 European Research Council (ERC)
- 2.2.2.3 Research Executive Agency (REA)
- 2.2.2.4 European Defence Fund (EDF)
- 3 Possible solution
- 3.1 Outcomes
- 3.2 Concept, implementation, oversight
- 3.2.1 Concept
- 3.2.2 Implementation
- 3.2.3 Oversight
- 4 Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This concept paper aims to explore the idea of establishing a European equivalent to the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to foster innovation leadership in Europe. It analyzes the current innovation landscape in Germany and Europe, identifying existing initiatives and their shortcomings. The paper then proposes a potential solution, outlining its concept, implementation, and oversight.
- Innovation leadership in Europe
- Comparison of European and US innovation models
- Analysis of existing European innovation initiatives
- Proposal for a new European innovation agency
- Implementation and oversight strategies
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1 Intro: This introductory chapter establishes the concept of innovation leadership and provides a working definition. It sets the stage for the paper by highlighting the need for a European approach to fostering innovation, potentially through a DARPA-like agency.
2 Current situation: This chapter analyzes the current state of innovation in Germany and Europe. It examines various existing initiatives, including the Agency for Disruptive Innovation in Cybersecurity (ADIC) in Germany, the Joint European Disruptive Initiative (JEDI), and other EU institutions like the European Innovation Council (EIC) and the European Research Council (ERC). The analysis highlights both successes and shortcomings of these existing programs, laying the groundwork for the proposed solution.
3 Possible solution: This chapter presents a potential solution to the identified challenges: the creation of a new European agency, modeled after DARPA. It outlines the desired outcomes of such an agency, detailing its concept, implementation strategy, and oversight mechanisms. This section explores practical considerations for establishing and running the proposed agency.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Innovation leadership, European innovation, DARPA, technology policy, digital transformation, European Innovation Council (EIC), European Research Council (ERC), agency design, implementation strategy, oversight mechanisms.
Frequently Asked Questions: European Innovation Leadership - A DARPA-Inspired Approach
What is the main topic of this concept paper?
This paper explores the idea of creating a European equivalent to the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to boost innovation leadership in Europe. It examines the current innovation landscape, proposes a new agency, and details its implementation and oversight.
What are the key objectives of the proposed European agency?
The primary objective is to foster innovation leadership in Europe by supporting high-risk, high-reward research and development projects. This would involve identifying and addressing critical technological challenges and nurturing disruptive innovations.
What is the current innovation landscape in Germany and Europe as described in the paper?
The paper analyzes existing initiatives in Germany (e.g., ADIC, SprinD, CIH, CODE) and Europe (e.g., JEDI, EIC, ERC, REA, EDF). It highlights both their successes and shortcomings, emphasizing the need for a more comprehensive and coordinated approach.
How does the proposed agency compare to existing European initiatives?
The paper argues that while existing initiatives are valuable, they lack the focused, high-risk approach of DARPA. The proposed agency would fill this gap by concentrating on disruptive innovation with a more streamlined and potentially more effective structure.
What are the key components of the proposed agency's design?
The proposal outlines the agency's concept, implementation strategy, and oversight mechanisms. It addresses practical considerations such as funding, project selection, and accountability.
What are the anticipated outcomes of establishing this new agency?
The paper anticipates that the new agency will lead to significant advancements in key technological areas, strengthening Europe's competitiveness and innovation capacity on a global scale. Specific outcomes would need to be defined through further detailed planning.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The key themes include innovation leadership in Europe, a comparison of European and US innovation models, analysis of existing European innovation initiatives, the proposal for a new European innovation agency, and strategies for its implementation and oversight.
What are the chapter summaries of the concept paper?
Chapter 1 introduces innovation leadership. Chapter 2 analyzes the current innovation landscape in Germany and Europe, reviewing existing initiatives. Chapter 3 proposes a new European agency, detailing its concept, implementation, and oversight. Chapter 4 concludes the paper.
What are the keywords associated with this concept paper?
Innovation leadership, European innovation, DARPA, technology policy, digital transformation, European Innovation Council (EIC), European Research Council (ERC), agency design, implementation strategy, oversight mechanisms.
What is the intended audience for this concept paper?
The intended audience includes policymakers, researchers, and other stakeholders interested in fostering innovation and technological advancement in Europe. The academic nature of the text is clearly stated.
- Citar trabajo
- Stefan G. Raul (Autor), 2020, Innovation leadership. Is it time for a European DARPA?, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/907357
