BILAT USA 2.0 · Bilateral Coordination for the Enhancement and Development of S&T Partnerships between the European Union and the United States of America

The US Government and the European Commission with the Member States have nurtured their research and innovation systems to be highly productive, driven by excellence and geared towards answering societal needs and increasing economic productivity. It is well documented that increased international cooperation between science powerhouses is a global trend, and that this trend is accelerating with the rise of new science powers. International cooperation in research and innovation has the potential to multiply the return on investment gained from domestic public expenditure.The project will stimulate bilateral cooperation between the USA and the European Research Area (ERA) and increase the value of outcomes from this cooperation. The project will be developed across six work packages (supporting the EU-US STI policy dialogue, raising awareness about research and innovation opportunities, fostering innovation partnerships, enhancing EU-US research partnerships, communicating and disseminating information, managing the project) to directly increase performance on specific research issues (e.g. mobility and exchange, innovation aspects) and common challenges (e.g. environment, health).Building on the outcomes of the BILAT USA and Link2US projects BILAT USA 2.0 aims at supporting the work undertaken by the bilateral EU-US Joint Consultative Group (JCG), the Strategic Forum for International S&T Cooperation (SFIC) and other high-level policy bodies (e.g. EU-US Energy Council) by facilitating the dialogue between the policy level and the level of the research and funding organisations and the private sector (SMEs and industry). BILAT 2.0 seeks to enhance transatlantic cooperation by connecting the relevant partners and stakeholders, and by communicating the priorities and decisions taken on the policy level. Moreover, BILAT USA 2.0 will support stakeholders in developing programmes according to the priorities set on policy level. BILAT 2.0 will strengthen networks between innovation actors to better understand the innovation framework, e.g. by developing a knowledge base for innovation but as a unique and digital access and exchange platform.