Horizon 2020: An Introduction Ian Holmes H2020 Bioeconomy National Contact Point 17/05/2018
Content What is H2020? Post EU Referendum How H2020 works Getting started The Proposal and its evaluation
What is Horizon 2020? The biggest EU Research and Innovation programme ever, nearly 80 billion of funding available over 7 years (2014 to 2020) The goal is to ensure Europe produces world-class science, removes barriers to innovation makes it easier for the public and private sectors to work together in delivering innovation. Emphasis on excellent science, industrial leadership and tackling societal challenges
The Three Pillars of Horizon 2020 Excellent Science European Research Council ERC) Future and Emerging Technologies (FET) Marie-Skłodowska- Curie Actions Research Infrastructures Industrial Leadership Leadership in Enabling and Industrial Technologies (LEIT) o Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) o Nanotechnologies o Advanced Materials o Biotechnology o Advanced Manufacturing and Processing o Space Access to risk finance Innovation in SMEs Societal Challenges 1. Health, demographic change and wellbeing 2. Food security, sustainable agriculture and forestry, blue growth and the bioeconomy 3. Secure, clean and efficient energy 4. Smart, green and integrated transport 5. Climate action, environment, resource efficiency and raw materials 6. Europe in a changing world - inclusive, innovative and reflective societies 7. Secure societies - protecting freedom and security of Europe and its citizens
What is a National Contact Point (NCP)? The network of National Contact Points (NCPs) is the provide guidance, practical information and assistance on all aspects of participation in Horizon 2020. Feedback to/from EC on work programmes Guidance on choosing topics and instruments Advice on administrative procedures and contractual issues Support with the application process (workshops and 1-2-1) Feedback on draft proposals Some feedback on results Follow @UKH2020_Sustain for updates Ian.holmes@innovateuk.gov.uk
UK National Contact Points Innovate UK NCPs: Legal and financial advice for all sectors Stephen Alexander NCP-Rules@innovateuk.gov.uk Advanced manufacturing and processing Craig Sharp NCP-AdvMan@innovateuk.gov.uk Climate action, environment, resource efficiency, raw materials Ewa Bloch NCP-Environment@innovateuk.gov.uk Food security, sustainable agriculture, blue growth, bioeconomy Ian Holmes NCP-Food-Bio-Marine@innovateuk.gov.uk Health, wellbeing and demographic change Jerome de Barros Jerome.DeBarros@innovateuk.gov.uk ICT and future and emerging technologies Georgios Papadakis NCP-ICT-FET@innovateuk.gov.uk Nanotechnologies and advanced materials NCP-Nanotech@innovateuk.gov.uk Secure societies Helen Almey NCP-Security@innovateuk.gov.uk Space Catherine Holt NCP-Space@innovateuk.gov.uk Transport NCP-Transport@innovateuk.gov.uk Non Innovate UK NCPs: Funding for researchers European Research Council NCP erc-uk@bbsrc.ac.uk Marie Curie Actions NCP mariecurie-uk@bbsrc.ac.uk Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) Enterprise Europe Network contact@enterpriseeurope.co.uk Research infrastructure Katie Lambert RINCPUK@stfc.ac.uk Widening participation among EU states Gabriela Nava SWAFS&WPNCP@esrc.ac.uk Science with and for society Tony Whitney Anthony.Whitney@beis.gov.uk Inclusive, innovative and reflective societies Energy Sean Nolan challenge6ncp@esrc.ac.uk Kerry Young and Helen Fairclough mail@euenergyfocus.co.uk Social science and humanities Sean Nolan xcutsshncp@esrc.ac.uk
POST EU REFERENDUM
No Risk of UK as a Potential Partner From European Commission, instructions to evaluators: Until the UK leaves the EU, EU law continues to apply to and within the UK, both when it comes to rights and obligations. This includes the eligibility of UK legal entities to participate and receive funding in Horizon 2020 actions. Experts should not evaluate proposals with UK participants any differently than before.
Report on UK/EU Negotiations Following withdrawal from the Union, the UK will continue to participate in the Union programmes financed by the MFF* 2014-2020 until their closure (excluding participation in financial operations which give rise to a contingent liability for which the UK is not liable as from the date of withdrawal). Entities located in the UK will be entitled to participate in such programmes. Participation in Union programmes will require the UK and UK beneficiaries to respect all relevant Union legal provisions including co-financing. Accordingly, the eligibility to apply to participate in Union programmes and Union funding for UK participants and projects will be unaffected by the UK s withdrawal from the Union for the entire lifetime of such projects. https://ec.europa.eu/commission/sites/beta-political/files/joint_report.pdf *Multi-annual Financial Framework BEIS Q&A Published
Horizon 2020 is Open to the World From the Horizon 2020 OnLine Manual: Horizon 2020 is Open to the World. This means that participants from all over the world, regardless of their place of establishment or residence, can participate in most of the calls of Horizon 2020 Collaborative projects: carried out by consortia of organisations working together on specific research & innovation areas. A consortium must include at least 3 participants from 3 different EU Member States or Associated countries. In addition to these three partners, any legal entity from anywhere in the world can be included in the consortium. From HM Government: the Treasury will underwrite funding for approved Horizon 2020 projects applied for before the UK leaves the European Union
How it works
Calls for Proposals A Work Programme is published every two years for each theme and can be found on the Participant Portal You can search the entire Horizon 2020 Work Programme using keys words to find suitable calls for proposals individually called Topics The 2018-2020 work programmes are currently available on line. However, most are being revised prior to the 2019 calls for proposals http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/portal/desktop/en/funding/refere nce_docs.html#h2020-work-programmes-2018-20
Societal Challenge calls and topics in the context of H2020 Challenge-based, and open to innovative proposals Calls are not prescriptive They don t outline the expected solutions, or the approach to be taken to solve it Emphasis on impact, each topic has an impact statement Explain how you will address these impacts Need different disciplines and sectors to succeed - Horizontal issues such as sustainability, climate, gender are intrinsic to all projects
How to read the calls - Call Title This is the problem to be addressed - Specific challenge This explains the reason for the challenge - Scope This provides some insights to possible approaches / solutions It is not very prescriptive Look for acronyms, legislation, specific countries, other EC initiatives It will indicate the expected size of the project e.g. Euro 3 million - Expected impact: This is what the project must deliver Justify how your approach is the best way to achieve these impacts
Contribution to focus area(s) The EC has identified a number of cross cutting focus areas. Some topics will have additional letters and must ensure they contribute to the relevant focus area theme. 'Building a low-carbon, climate resilient future' (LC) 'Connecting economic and environmental gains - Circular Economy' (CE) 'Digitising and transforming European industry and services' (DT) E.g. DT-SFS-14-2018: Personalized Nutrition
Types of Action Collaborative Projects Research and Innovation 100% funded (RIA) 2 stage TRL 3-5 Innovation Actions 70% funded (100% NFP)(IA) single stage TRL 5-7 Coordinated Support Actions 100% funded (CSA) Must have at least 3 EU countries in consortium* Emphasis on expected impact and Market exploitation Industry participation, especially SMEs is vital *could be an issue post Brexit!
Evaluation Three Criteria each scored out of 5: Excellence Impact Quality and Efficiency of the Implementation not required in Stage 1 of two stage Threshold is 10/15 (8/10 for Stage 1 of two stage) Proposals over threshold are ranked with the top ones funded until all budget is allocated For two stage proposals, aim is to allow proposals equal to 3x the budget through from Stage 1 to Stage 2 For Innovation Actions, Impact is weighted 1.5 times when proposals are ranked
Proposal evaluation Remotely out by independent external experts (3 or 5) (with ) Some will be academic peers Others cover business / social impacts or other areas of topic Award Criteria: (Experts) Excellence Impact Quality and efficiency of the implementation
Working with Industry Industry participation is vital for a strong proposal This is how IMPACT will be achieved SMEs are essential 4 th evaluation criteria, could be the tie breaker! When you see a topic you like; Think UK industry before contacting your academic network If you don t bring industrial partners, someone else will! Use Networks
Ian Holmes H2020 Bioeconomy National Contact Point NCP-Food-Bio-Marine@innovateuk.gov.uk Twitter - @UKH2020_Sustain