Association of European Research Establishments in Aeronautics (EREA)

EREA would like to help smaller companies, startups & scale ups (SMEs) overcome their limited access to Research and Technology Infrastructures (TIs). This in light of the European Innovation Acts wider aim to foster competitiveness through helping smaller companies, startups & scale ups to access the market and properly develop relevant technologies.

Both Research Infrastructures (RIs) and Technology Infrastructures (TIs) represent a core asset for European research, strategic autonomy and competitiveness. Whilst RIs have been widely supported in the past by the Commission, also through the notable set-up of ESFRI, a dedicated supporting strategy for TIs, which represent a main asset for the competitiveness goals of Europe, still is at the beginning.

EREA welcomes the EC initiative to prepare a new Aviation & Aeronautics Strategy for Europe and strongly supports the ambition to reinforce Europes competitiveness, technological sovereignty, resilience and global leadership while accelerating the green and digital transition. Aviation is a strategic sector for Europe, essential for mobility, industrial competitiveness and technological sovereignty.

EREA, the association of European Research Establishments in Aeronautics welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback on the European Commission's White Paper On options for enhancing support for research and development involving technologies with dual-use potential. The attached feedback provides the considerations of EREA members on the options described in the European Commissions White Paper.