Explaining Making of the SET-Plan

This chapter investigates the making of the SET-Plan, why it emerged and how it was shaped. Explanations are sought in the role played by the member-states, supranational EU institutions, non-state actors and international technology markets. The Commission initiated the Plan and selected technology priorities based on existing industry and research community networks. The governance system and initial selection of priorities reflected the widely diverging research and innovation interests among major member-states. The Plan was also motivated by prospects of new international business opportunities, but its technology priorities served mainly EU-internal political needs.