Spreading Excellence and Widening Participation in Horizon 2020

Transcription

1 Spreading Excellence and Widening Participation in Horizon 2020 Annamaria Zonno 24/03/2014, Brussels DG RTD, Unit B5, Smart Specialisation for Growth Research and

2 Background Currently national / regional disparities in research excellence and innovation performance, hamper competitiveness, business growth and employment creation. Simultaneously, a number of countries are experiencing low participation in the EU FP; Disparities due to structural issues, such as: insufficient national RTDI investment, insufficient capacities and reduced access to international networks. Problems need to be primarily addressed at national and regional level and through other instruments, such as Cohesion Policy funding. Horizon 2020 will also take relevant action under the separate specific objective "Spreading Excellence and Widening Participation"

3 Overview of measures under WIDESPREAD in H2020 Actions subject to calls for proposals: - Teaming (Call: WIDESPREAD ) - Twinning (Call: TWINN-2015) - Transnational cooperation of NCPs (Call: WIDESPREAD ) - ERA Chairs (Call: WIDESPREAD ) Total Budget for WIDESPREAD in H2020 ~ 800 million

4 WIDESPREAD : Teaming Aims at the creation of new (or upgrade of existing) Centres of Excellence through a teaming process with a leading research intensive institution in Europe (or a consortium of research intensive institutions). Who can participate? Beneficiaries are Universities or Research Centres located in Member States/regions, that are identified as low performers in terms of research and innovation Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Repuplic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta, Polan, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia The coordinator Leading research-intensive institutions from EU countries 1 or more project partner How long? First phase lasts 12 months. Second phase 5-7 years

5 Stage 1- TEAMING project proposal should entail: The long-term science and innovation strategy of the future Centre based on a SWOT analysis. The project deliverable will be a business plan for the Centre. Focus on improve scientific capabilities (new approaches, new research avenue, increased mobility WIDESPREAD will not support infrastructure or large equipment

6 WIDESPREAD : Teaming- 1 stage On the content proposal: Should demonstrate the potential of Future Centre should be connected to new or existing clusters Has to include national and regional authorities' commitments to invest in infrastructure and equipment (ESIF) A properly functioning service-oriented administration Education and training system able to provide human resources needed

7 WIDESPREAD :Teaming 2014 Call first stage First stage implementation All funded Business Plans from Stage 1 will undergo an indepth evaluation by an international high-level expert panel proposals will be selected for the second stage Framework Partnership Agreement will be signed with participants 7

8 WIDESPREAD :Teaming (3) Call 2014 ("First Stage"): Budget: 11.85M Call deadline: 17 September 2014 Project Size: per proposal Expected number of applications: ~ Expected number of proposals to be funded: ~ 30 Project Duration: 12 months Deliverable: Business Plan for a Centre of Excellence (CoE) 2016: Framework Partnership Agreement (TBC) ("Second Stage") Budget: ~ M Project Size: 15-20M per proposal Expected number of applications: ~30 (all business plans submitted under Stage 1) Expected number of proposals to be funded: ~ 5-6 Project Duration: 5-7 years Funding for: Substantial support for the start-up and implementation phase of the CoE Type of action: Specific Grant Agreement established under a Framework Partnership Agreement (TBC) and implemented as a Coordination and Support Action

9 WIDESPREAD :Teaming (4) Next Call (budget ~ 170 M): July 2017 (for budgetary year 2018): Calls ("First Stage") 2020: Framework Partnership Agreement ("Second Stage") Total Budget for teaming in H2020: ~ 270 M 9

10 Call for Twinning SCOPE: Aims at significantly strengthening a defined field of research in an knowledge institution through linking with at least two internationallyleading counterparts in Europe. SCHEME DESCRIPTION: Proposals will have to outline the scientific strategy for stepping up and stimulating scientific excellence and innovation capacity in a defined area of research as well as the scientific quality of the partners involved in the twinning exercise. A link of the twinning activity with the national or regional Smart Specialisation Strategy where the contracting institution is located is desirable. Only the institution located in the Low Performing country/region is expected to sign the Grant Agreement with the Commission with a minimum participation of two additional partners from two different Member States or Associated Countries (a Consortium agreement will be required from all parties involved).

11 Call for Twinning 2015 Who can participate? Beneficiaries are Universities or Research Centres located in Member States/regions, that are identified as low performers in terms of research and innovation Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Repuplic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta, Polan, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia Signs the grant agreement At least two internationally Leading counterparts

12 Call for Twinning 2015 (2) Budget: ~ 64 M Call publication date: 2 July 2014 Call deadline: 2 December 2014 Project Size: 1 M per proposal Expected number of applications: ~ Expected number of proposals to be funded: ~ Project Duration: 3 years Funding for: short term staff exchanges; expert visits and short-term on-site or virtual training; workshops; conference attendance; organisation of joint summer school type activities; dissemination and outreach activities Type of action: Coordination and Support Action Next Call in 2018 with budget ~ 47 M Total Budget for Twinning in H2020: ~ 100 M

13 Call ERA Chairs SCOPE: The ERA Chairs actions will support universities or other eligible research organisations to attract and maintain high quality human resources and implement the structural changes necessary to achieve excellence on a sustainable basis. An ERA Chair holder should be an outstanding researcher and research manager in the given field of research, with a proven record of effective leadership. They should establish their own team and help the research organisation to significantly improve its research performance and to be more successful in obtaining competitive funding. DEADLINE: BUDGET: 33.6 Mil. Euro

14 Call ERA Chairs The proposal Research organisations shall submit a proposal aimed at fostering excellent research. This should include arrangements for compliance with ERA priorities, better use of the installed research capacity and/or a description of the necessary investments in facilities and infrastructures. Interactions with national or regional authorities to coordinate actions and mobilise support, including, where relevant, from European Structural and Investment Funds, are a must.

15 Call ERA Chairs deadline 15/10 The ERA Chairs may be in any domains of research and innovation addressed under the Treaty. The Chair should have a full-time position within the organisation/university, professor or similar. The appointment of an ERA Chair holder must follow an open and merit-based recruitment process. The position of the ERA Chair holder must be open to all EU and non-eu nationals. The grant will cover the appointment of the ERA Chair holder and a number of team members The grant is not a measure to fund research per se. Max contribution from the EU of EUR 2.5 million. Lower amounts possible Research organisation means a non-profit making organisation which carries out scientific or technical research as its main objective

16 Call for Twinning 2015 Who can participate? Beneficiaries are Universities or Research Centres located in Member States/regions, that are identified as low performers in terms of research and innovation Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Repuplic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta, Polan, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia ERA Chairs are open to EU and non EU nationals

17 Thank you for your attention