Dr. Margaretha Mazura (EMF) ICT Day Opportunities to participate in EU ICT research projects San...

Dr. Margaretha Mazura (EMF)

ICT DayOpportunities to participate in EU ICT research projects

San José, 16 February 2010

Principles of EU Research Funding in ICT: Practical Tips

• ICT - Information and Communication Technologies - is a Theme

for research and development under the programme “Cooperation”

implementing the Seventh Framework Programme (2007-2013)

• FP7 is the main EU instrument supporting R&D

• Total budget: over € 50 billion. Most part is spent on grants to

research actors all over Europe and beyond

• Grants determined on the basis of calls for proposals and a peer

review process

1.1 ICT in FP7

Basic Information (1)

• ICT Work Programme

• The WP defines the priorities for calls for proposals

• The work programme is updated on a regular basis

• Latest version: WP 2010 (July 2009)

• Next version: in preparation; will be officially presented at the ICT 2010 conference

• WP Structure: Focus on a limited set of:

• Challenges (RTD challenges)

• Research Objectives

• Target Outcomes

Basic information (2)

• Basic principle of funding in FP7-ICT is co-financing.

• The maximum EC contribution depends on the funding scheme, the legal status of the participants and the type of activity.

• The standard reimbursement rate for R&D activities is 50% of the eligible costs :

• and up to 75% of the eligible costs for non-profit public bodies, SMEs, research organisations, higher education establishments

:

• For demonstration activities: 50% of the eligible costs.

• For other activities (consortium management, networking, training, coordination, dissemination etc.): up to 100% of the eligible costs

Basic information (3)

Call title: ICT call 6

• Call identifier: FP7-ICT-2009-6

• Date of publication: 24 November 2009

• Deadline: 13 April 2010

• Indicative budget: EUR 286 million

• Topics called:

• Challenges

• Objectives

• Funding schemes

Calls for Proposals

The European Commission funds ICT research by selecting project proposals submitted in response to a ‘Call for proposals’

Basic information (4)

Implementation of Calls

Call title: ICT call 7

To be published at the ICT 2010 conference, 27-29 September

Forecast:

New challenges, e.g Factories of the Future; PPP

???

?

What makes a proposal successful?

The proposed project

• corresponds to the priorities of the call and the priorities the Unit in question considers important

• is innovative and of high scientific quality

• has a convincing consortium: partners are competent for the activities suggested; they are a good “mix”; they have clear roles

• is well written so that evaluators from all cultural, educational and business backgrounds can understand it

Success factors (1)

Practical steps to a successful proposal

No clear description of progress beyond State-of-the-ArtMain criterion for research projects: explain HOW the project will go beyond.

“Fuzziness” of work plan description not convincing in terms of impact and excellence: to remedy, make a clear plan on WHO does WHAT WHEN WHY for WHOSE benefit?

Inconsistencies or incoherencies: A good idea at the beginning is not followed through in the work packages not convincing in terms of management.

Common pitfalls (1)

Practical steps to a successful proposal (2)

MAIN REASONS FOR FAILURE

• Incomplete or not complementary consortium or “decorative” partners

not convincing in terms of quality of consortium; clarify roles!

• Lack of exploitation opportunities description not convincing in

terms of impact and/or sustainability; give measurable indicators!

• And increasingly: Value for money!

MAIN REASONS FOR FAILURE (2)

Common pitfalls (2)

Practical steps to a successful proposal (3)

• Suitable (meets identified needs: yours and the target group’s !)

• Manageable (big enough to cover all necessary competences, small enough to being manageable)

• Appropriate (it is the most efficient way of tackling the subject and implementing the work)

• Relevant (tackles the WP’s and call’s objectives and EU policies)

• Transferable (sustainable and potentially usable by other target groups)

Tips and tricks (1)

Practical steps to a successful proposal (4)

MAKE YOUR PROPOSAL SMART:

Step 1: Check what the Commission REALLY wants

Check if this REALLY falls into your and the partners’ competences

Step 2: Read the guidelines for proposers, but almost more important

Read the guidelines for evaluators!

Step 3: Write! Use the “3 C”: clear, concise, consistent

Step 4: Ask outsiders to read the project and comment!

Ask colleagues not involved to “evaluate” it!

Tips and tricks (2)

Practical steps to a successful proposal (5)

HOW TO INCREASE THE CHANCE FOR SUCCESS:

Thank You

Margaretha MazuraSecretary gerneal, EMFE-mail: mm@emfs.eu

www.pro-ideal.eu Training modules: www.pro-ideal.eu/training