While private sector research tends to capitalise on immediate gains in terms of satisfying customer demand, EUfunded projects focus more on the challenges of particular importance over the longer term. This focus will give Europe a competitive advantage, and will help shape the cloud ecosystem.

Funding has already been earmarked for cloud research under the new EU research programme Horizon 2020 running from 2014 until 2020. For cloud and software related projects, the Commission will call for research proposals addressing specific themes identified by expert groups and a stakeholder consultation as the most pressing challenges, or providing the greatest opportunities.

In 2014/2015, some €120 million will be available for research on advanced cloud computing infrastructure and services as well as on tools and methods for software development. Supplementary investment of €5 million during this period will help to intensify cooperation with Brazil and Japan on cloud computing topics.

To read more about the topic:

http://ec.europa.eu/digital-agenda/en/news/cloud-computing-horizon-2020