Joint Programming Initiatives (JPIs)

Joint Programming is a structured and strategic process whereby Member States agree, on a voluntary basis and in a partnership approach, on common visions and Strategic Research and Innovation Agendas (SRIA) to address major societal challenges. After the development of a common vision and the launch of the SRIA common activities of each Joint Programming Initiative (JPI) can be implemented including e.g. joint calls, so-called fast track activities, knowledge hubs, task forces etc.

The Joint Programming-process is led by the Member States. The competence of Member States and regions over their choice of research and innovation policies and related allocation of resources is fully recognised. Therefore, participation of Member States is voluntary and is carried out according to the principle of variable geometry. The Commission is invited to act as a facilitator by providing ad-hoc and complementary measures to support the JPIs. The Commission regularly reports to the Council and the European Parliament on the progress and results of the JPIs.

State of play

The following ten JPIs have been established since 2008:

• JPND  - EU Joint Programme - Neurodegenerative Disease Research
• FACCE JPI  - Agriculture, food security and climate change
• JPI HDHL  - Health, food and prevention of diet related diseases
• JPI Cultural Heritage  - Cultural Heritage and Global Change: a new challenge for Europe
• JPI AMR - The microbial challenge - An emerging threat to human health
• JPI Climate  - Connecting Climate Knowledge for Europe
• JPI MYBL - More Years, Better Lives - The Potential and Challenges of Demographic Change
• JPI Urban Europe - Urban Europe - Global Challenges, Local Solutions
• JPI Water - Water Challenges for a Changing World
• JPI Oceans - Healthy and Productive Seas and Oceans

Criteria

In 2016 the High-Level Group agreed on a process and criteria to be used to ensure that sufficient information is provided to the GPC to compose an informed advice to the Competitiveness Council about whether to support a new JPI or maintain an existing JPI.
Link to the "Report of the GPC Implementation Group 3 Monitoring and evaluating"

Funding sources

National funds are the main funding sources of the JPIs. Additionally, European funds are available for specific JPIs depending on benefits envisaged, structuring effect of European funds and a clear European dimension ("European added-value").

National funds could be either competitive funding allocated to specific joint calls or in-kind contributions of research organizations directed to jointly agreed specific activities. Member States may also take advantage of European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) to support the participation in activities in a JPI.

More information

• JPIs achievements brochure of all 10 Joint Programming Initiatives
• JPIs factsheets of all 10 Joint Programming Initiatives
• Joint Programming pages of the European Commission