«Dual-use» clusters & EU funding programmes: Regional support model

Transcription

1 «Dual-use» clusters & EU funding programmes: Regional support model Ziga Valic, EU Affairs Advisor International conference on Dual-Use Technologies & RIS3 Strategies in Europe Seville, October 2015

2 Presentation outline Photonics cluster OPTITEC ID card Areas of strategic activities Advantages of dual-use R&D for clusters & their members European funding for (dual-use) R&D projects: Key challenges for SMEs? Cluster s role in EU funding programmes Regional support model for SMEs Services provided State of play Conclusions & recommendations 2

3 ID CARD Creation: 2000 Type: Nonprofit association Members: 200 Employees: 11 Membership diversity: Industry, laboratories and universities Headquarters: Marseille, Provence-Alpes-Côte d Azur (PACA) region, France Key mission: Promotion of optics & photonics activities in the south of France 3

4 Key priorities 4 areas of strategic activities GREEN PHOTONICS INDUSTRIAL PROCESS AND AGRO-FOOD MARKET SECURITY & SURVEILLANCE SCIENTIFIC & MEDICAL INSTRUMENTATION Photonic, key enabling technology Increase production of renewable energy [PV industry, Lightings] Waste sorting and treatment Analyse of pollutants [ in air, water and soils ] In-process control in Agrofood industry Optical devices for manufacturing Integrated systems of surveillance Optical instrumentation for satellite observation Transport and traffic safety Medical imaging & instrumentation Cancer diagnosis devices Instrumentation for large scientific projects (ELT, ITER ) 4

5 Why should clusters & their members take advantage of «dual-use» R&D? R&D in general is seen as a vital part of every company wanting to develop its market position. «Dual-use» R&D enables companies to: - Diversify activities and focus on multipurpose technologies; - Identify competitive strengths; -Increase efficiency through downstream and upstream cooperation; -Improve awareness and understanding of the structure and dynamics of civilian and defence sector. 5

6 European funding for (dual-use) R&D projects: Key challenges for SMEs? Language barrier; Lack of «European culture/spirit»; Shortage of information and knowledge about funding opportunities; Lack of visibility among potential European partners; Complexity of funding process. 6

7 Cluster s role within the EU funding programmes: Facilitating and fostering SMEs participation Action Collective Horizon 2020 : joint initiative launched by Optitec in collaboration with regional clusters Pégase (aerospace) & Risques (disaster resilience management); Funded by the Regional council of Provence-Alpes-Côte d Azur (PACA) and the French State; Dedicated exclusively to SME members; The objective is twofold: To support and guide members through the process of settingup/participating in European projects; To raise the profile of member companies at the EU level. 7

8 Action Collective Horizon 2020 : Services provided Customised monitoring & analysis of European funding opportunities (Horizon 2020, COSME, Eurostars ) ; Information dissemination: monthly newsletter, dedicated Twitter account and customised notifications; Thematic workshops (SME Instrument, relevant H2020 calls); Facilitating partner search and consortium building; Representing members interestvis-à-vis the European institutions, various stakeholder organisations and European partners; Support by specialised consultants during the preparation of application. 8

9 Action Collective Horizon 2020 : State of play 21 members participating 11 European projects submitted 5 projects selected: - 3 projects SME Instrument Phase 1-1 project SME Instrument Phase 2-1 Project Clean Sky Consolidated relationship with the Region(s) and European partners facilitates the search for H2020/ESIF synergies. 9

10 Conclusions & recommendations Need to ensure continuous and adequate access to information; Reach out to the regional ecosystem and foster organisation of info-days/coaching/b2b events; Help your companies identify the right opportunities within H2020; Encourage joining forces with other competent actors from relevant sectors; Keep the competent regional bodies up-to-date; Consider setting-up a support scheme for SMEs. 10

11 MARSEILLE BRUSSELS OFFICE (HEADQUARTERS) OPTITEC Mr Ziga VALIC Technopôle de Chateau Gombert 38, rue Joliot Curie Marseille cedex 13 - France Provence-Alpes-Côte d Azur EU-Office 62, rue du Trône 1050 Brussels Tél. : +33 (0) Fax : +33 (0) ziga.valic@pole-optitec.com