EARTO is the European Association of Research and Technology Organisations. Research and Technology Organisations (RTOs) are specialised knowledge organisations dedicated to the development and transfer of science and technology to help tackle the grand challenges confronting society.  The EARTO Innovation Prize is awarded, on the basis of an open competition adjudicated by an independent jury, to a member of EARTO in recognition of its contribution to an innovation of significant economic and/or social impact.The programme will feature a keynote speech by the President of EIRMA and Director of SOLVAY Future Businesses, Leopold Demiddeleer, and the publication of a report that EARTO has commissioned from Technopolis Group on the appropriate balance of public investment in "basic" and "applied" research. It will stress the need to take a systemic view of innovation, with adequate space for both curiosity-driven research and mission-oriented work, where the role of government is not just to fund research but to ensure that the links between the different actors and functions within the innovation system operate effectively. The report, which will derive consequences for Horizon 2020, will be presented by the Chairman of Technopolis Group, Erik Arnold.