The European synchrotron radiation sources and free electron lasers serve a broad scientific community with more than 30000 users. They play a vital role in most research fields from basic science in physics, chemistry and biology to applied areas in health, engineering, environment, cultural heritage and high-impact industrial applications. Rising international competition requires the European facilities to coordinate and combine complementary strengths and capabilities.
The increasing complexity of technology and a shorter life cycle require the photon sources to open up innovation to their partner facilities, users and industrial suppliers to promote creativity, novelty and resource efficiency. LEAPS facilities have capitalized on one of the final Horizon 2020 grants to launch a pilot project called LEAPS-INNOV. This project effectively demonstrates the benefits of collaborative technological advancements. By pooling resources and leveraging each facility’s strengths, they co-fund the grant for the collective benefit of the entire community. As individual LEAPS members team up based on their unique strengths, it leads to smart specialization. All proposed developments have been identified in the ”LEAPS Strategy 2030”.
LEAPS-INNOV have already piloted cooperation with more than 50 European industrial partners. Impact demonstrated has been by socio-economic studies, More than 10 spin off companies ahve been created. Roadmap clearly demonstrating smart specialization.
