The aim of BRIDGIT 2 (Bridge the gap between standardization, research and innovation communities) is to overcome the barriers between the standardization world on the one hand and on the other the European research and innovation community.

Standardization should become an integral part in the research and innovation lifecycle and will thereby foster the integration of the research and innovation community into standardization. By the project the awareness of researchers and innovators about the possibility of using standardization as a tool for market deployment or for the transfer of the project results from research programs (like Horizon 2020 or the upcoming Horizon Europe) will be increased. In order to do so, the knowledge about standardization and its role in supporting research and innovation has to be improved in the relevant communities by the national standardization bodies and the CEN-CENELEC Management Center.

As a part of the activities to working towards the achievement of these aims, CEN-CENELEC along with EU/EFTA are co-financing BRIDGIT 2. This is carried out by AFNOR (France), ASI (Austria), ASRO (Romania), BDS (Bulgaria), DS (Denmark), NEN (Netherland), NSAI (Ireland), UNE (Spain) and UNI (Italy) under the lead of DIN (Germany) and with the support from CCMC.
To improve the relationship of research, innovation and standardization, five actions are planned within BRIDGIT 2:

1. Increasing the capacity of CEN and CENELEC Members

The engagement of CEN and CENELEC Members with enhanced capabilities with the research and innovation community (especially by participating in Horizon 2020 actions) will be increased as well as their commitment in doing so with the help of e. g. mentoring programs and webinars.

2. Engagement of R&I community

Assessment of national research and innovation communities will be conducted to bridge the gap between national standards bodies, researchers and innovators. To doing so, higher support and stronger communication of the national standardization bodies with their local research and innovation community will be established.

3. Role of standardization in Framework Programs

The role of standardization in European research and its position as systematically market deployment tool for innovative technologies will be assessed. With these results, advises for the upcoming framework program FP9 will be given.

4. Tools repository for R&I community

To translate the expressed needs of the research and innovation communities, several flexible and digital tools which provide all relevant information about standardization will be developed.

5. Dissemination and outreach

The awareness of standardization within the research and innovation community will be raised by several national events and a large European conference to maximize the impact and visibility of the project results and developed tools. Also other communication channels will be used to inform interested bodies about the project and its progress.

Project duration

December 2017 - February 2020 (deadline has been extended)

Project funding

This project is co-funded by the European Commission and EFTA under the specific agreement number: SA/CEN/GROW/E:FTA/OOQ/2017-09.