Graphene Receives €1bn

The European Commission selected graphene in January 2013 as one of its European technology flagship projects. Consequently, it will receive EUR 1 000 000 000 in funding over the next ten years. Graphene is a two‐dimensional carbon structure that is thick, elastic and stronger than diamond. The objective is to develop graphene and related layered materials from an initial state of raw potential. They will reach a stage where they advance multiple industries. They will lead to a new generation of devices that are durable, fast and lightweight.

The management of the Graphene Flagship is divided into two phases. The first phase lasts 30 months under the 7th Framework Programme from 01/10/2013 to 31/03/2016. It has total funding of EUR 54 000 000 from the European Commission. The second phase begins on 01/04/2016 under the Horizon 2020 programme. The European Commission is expected to allocate EUR 50 000 000 per year to this phase. The aim of the first phase is to develop an operational structure and a viable proposal for a large‐scale project. The project is estimated to have an annual budget of EUR 100 000 000 over 10 years.

This Flagship is led by Professor Jari Kinaret from the Chalmers University of Technology. A strategic advisory board supports the management team. Its members include European Nobel Laureate Sir Andre Geim (Chairman), Albert Fert, Klaus von Klitzing and Sir Kostya Novoselov. The board also includes the industrial representative Tapani Ryhänen from Nokia and two representatives of the global graphene research community. Wolfgang Bosch from the European Commission and Karin Markides serve on the board. The project involves 74 partners from 17 countries. It includes representatives from the European Commission.

The Graphene Flagship established a European school called Graphene Study. The school aims to build an integrated community and to create direct communication channels between early career researchers and the academic community. Its focus is on graphene research and applications. The school contributes to the ongoing development of the Flagship.