Article 2 Definitions

For the purpose of this Regulation, the following definitions shall apply:

1. 1..

   F1‘ innovation ’ means the process, including its outcome, by which new ideas respond to societal or economic needs and demand and generate new products, services or business and organisational models that are successfully introduced into an existing market or that are able to create new markets and that provide value to society;

2. 2..

   ‘Knowledge and Innovation Community’ (KIC) means an autonomous partnership of higher education institutions, research organisations, companies and other stakeholders in the innovation process in the form of a strategic network, regardless of its precise legal form, based on joint mid- to long-term innovation planning to meet the EIT challenges and contribute to attaining the objectives established under Regulation (EU) No 1291/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council ^f1 (‘Horizon 2020’);

3. 3..

   ‘ co-location centre ’ means a geographical area where the main knowledge triangle partners are based and can easily interact, providing the focal point for the KICs’ activity in that area;

4. 4..

   F2. . . . .

5. 5..

   ‘ partner organisation ’ means any organisation which is a member of a KIC and may include, in particular, higher education institutions, research organisations, public or private companies, financial institutions, regional and local authorities, foundations and non-profit organisations;

6. 6..

   ‘research organisation’ means any public or private legal entity which undertakes research or technological development as one of its main objectives;

7. 7..

   ‘higher education institution’ means a university or any type of higher education institution which, in accordance with national legislation or practice, offers degrees and diplomas at masters or doctoral level, irrespective of its denomination in the national context;

8. 8..

   ‘degrees and diplomas’ means qualifications resulting in masters or doctorates awarded by participating higher education institutions in the context of higher education activities undertaken in a KIC;

9. 9..

   ‘ Strategic Innovation Agenda ’ (SIA) means a policy document outlining the priority fields and the long-term strategy of the EIT for future initiatives, including an overview of planned higher education, research and innovation activities over a period of seven years;

10. 9a..

    F3‘ Regional Innovation Scheme ’ (RIS) means an outreach scheme targeted at partnerships between higher education institutions, research organisations, companies and other stakeholders, in order to foster innovation across the Union;

11. 10..

    ‘ Stakeholder Forum ’ means a platform open to representatives of national, regional and local authorities, organised interests and individual entities from business, higher education, research, associations, civil society and cluster organisations, as well as other interested parties from across the knowledge triangle;

12. 11..

    ‘ KIC added-value activities ’ means activities carried out by partner organisations or KIC legal entities, if applicable, contributing to the integration of the knowledge triangle of higher education, research and innovation, including the establishment, administrative and coordination activities of the KICs, and contributing to the overall objectives of the EIT.