Collaborative R&D Support Service Invest Northern Ireland Collaborative R&D Support Service 28 October 2015 Joanne Coyle
Horizon 2020- How to Participate As a collaborative partner/co-ordinator or alone (SMEs only) Main Horizon 2020 programmes (all) SME Instrument (SMEs only/others as subcontractors) Fast Track to Innovation (all) Eurostars (innovation intensive SMEs) MSCA (all those with researchers) All calls to participate are competitions
Horizon 2020- SME Instrument SME applicants only - specific topics 4 cut off dates annually (25/11/15) Collaborations not required but permissible Stage 1: 50k lump sum + EEN mentoring Stage 2: Grant rate 70% (25% overhead) + EEN mentoring (Invest NI) 0.5m - 2.5m Stage 3: Guidance and support to access further funding e.g. Loans/investors Only one live application/project at any time
SME Instrument 3 Phases Phase 1: Concept and feasibility assessment Input: "Business Plan 1 (~ 10 pages) Activities: Feasibility of concept; Risk assessment; IP regime; Partner search; Design study; Pilot application, etc. Output: Elaborated "Business plan 2" Phase 2: R&D, demonstration, market replication Input: "Business plan 2 (~ 30 pages) Activities: Development, prototyping, testing, piloting, miniaturisation, scaling-up, market replication, research Output: "investor-ready Business plan 3" Phase 3: Commercialisation Facilitate access to private finance Support via networking, training, information, addressing i.e. IP management, knowledge sharing, dissemination Lump sum: 50k ~ 6 months 0.5-2.5M EU funding ~ 12 to 24 months NO DIRECT FUNDING
Technology Readiness Level Technology readiness level 6 or above
SME Instrument - Target Group Innovative, for-profit SMEs showing a strong ambition to develop, grow and internationalise Single company support possible or consortium of for-profit SMEs Highly competitive, market-oriented, EU dimension Other partners (universities, research institutes, large companies) can be involved as third parties (subcontractors) SMEs need to be established in the EU-member states or associated countries
SME Instrument - A recipe for success It's not about writing a good proposal It's about defining a good business proposition convincing the evaluators good fit with the topic
The Application Process / Scoring Register at EC Authentication Service and then get H2020 Participant Identification Code (PIC) For SME Instrument complete SME questionnaire Complete application form online. Results: 2 months (Phase I), 4 months (Phase II) Scored on Impact/ Excellence /Implementation Phase I Threshold score 13 out of 15 Phase II Threshold score 12 out of 15 Grant/Consortium agreement signed
Relevant Topics for 2016 & 2017 Supporting innovative SMEs in the healthcare biotechnology sector Cell technologies in medical applications Clinical research for the validation of biomarkers and/or diagnostic devices (Phase 2 only first cut off 2017) Accelerating market introduction of ICT solutions for Health, Well-Being and Ageing Well New business models for inclusive, innovative and reflective societies Open Disruptive Innovation Scheme Accelerating the uptake of nanotechnologies advanced materials or advanced manufacturing and processing technologies by SMEs
Horizon 2020- Fast Track to Innovation 2 year pilot launched in 2015 Aimed at 'innovation actions' close to market with EU collaborative partners (3-5; max 5!) Approx. 1-2 million per project (max. 3 million) 60% of funding to industry partners or majority of partners Encourage new industry participants. Bottom-up driven logic (within Societal Challenges/Industrial Lead) Continuously open call with three cut-off dates per year - 01/12/15
Success rates Phase I SME Instrument 12.5% above threshold, 68% of those that passed threshold were funded (UK 73 successful) Phase II SME Instrument 26% above threshold, 43% of those that passed threshold were funded (UK 16 successful) Fast Track to Innovation (first call) 269 proposals, 48 above threshold, 16 funded
SME Instrument - Feedback Too project focussed, not enough on business opportunity Description of company not convincing (why would company succeed and not competitor?) No information on competing solutions Innovation content too low; product exists already on the market (just incremental improvement) Initial ideas, no proof of existing commercialisation concept ( TRL far too low) Just try and see!
Eurostars 2 Bottom up approach to calls Minimum of 2 partners across Europe International collaborative R&D project lead by a research performing SME Development of an innovative new product, process or service 2 calls annually - next deadline 18 Feb 2016 Maximum Grant 360,000 at 60% of eligible project costs (23% success rate) https://www.eurostars-eureka.eu
Eurostars SME Instrument FTI Purpose Support development of new products, processes and services Innovative technological solutions Ensuring best innovative ideas reach the market. Primarily business development Increase industry driven innovation projects with shorter time to market Thematic Connection Bottom up Mix top down (SC & LEIT) and bottom up Bottom-up within SC or LEIT Target Group Development Stage R&D performing SMEs Must do >50% of R&D project SMEs planning to commercialise very innovative products or services Primarily industry Till prototype development TRL 6 demonstrator level TRL 6 demonstrator level Consortium Time to contract 2 participants from 2 Eurostars countries R&D performing SME in lead Other participants welcome Single SME / consortium + SME 7 months Phase 1-3 months Phase 2-6 months Duration Up to 36 months Phase 1-6 months Phase 2-12-24 months 3-5 partners Industry majority eg 2/3, 3/5 Industry 60% share project budget 6 months 24-36 months Funding rate 60% National rules (Innovate UK) Funding amount On average 360k 70% 70% Phase 1-50k lump sum Phase 2-0. 5-2.5m Up to 3m Funded by National budgets plus EU EU EU Time to market 2 years after project completion Phase 2 immediately after completion 3 years from beginning of project
Invest NI H2020 Innovation Voucher Helping SMEs to work with a knowledge provider in their field to engage in Horizon 2020 SME applies directly to Invest NI 5000 voucher to support SMEs to, e.g., Understand structures Build consortia Prepare their contribution to proposals Voucher link
Invest NI Support for H2020 R&D Applications (Client Companies and Universities) Invest NI Project Definition Eligible Costs (circa 50% grant) Labour Consultancy Fees Legal Advice Travel
Non-Financial support Help to identify most appropriate funding scheme (e.g. H2020/ Innovate UK/ Invest NI) Advice on UK/EU funding rules/eligibility Find partners/support through: Enterprise Europe Network Brussels office (NICP) network for Horizon 2020 http://www.detini.gov.uk/nicp_guide.pdf
Invest NI EU R&D Liaison Service in Brussels EU Funding and Policy Information services Early Intelligence on EU calls EU R&D and Innovation Policy Monitoring (Brussels Bulletin) Project Development Support Partner searches Organisation of meetings with the EC, potential partners EU Networking activities & profiling the Region Farha Brahmi Relations with EC officials Build strategic links with other regions, networks Organise events to showcase NI expertise
InterTradeIreland support Horizon 2020 travel scheme North/South collaborators 500 for travel/accommodation within Ireland 350 for travel/ accommodation in Europe H2020 Support for resubmission of MSCA applications H2020 App H2020 Guide for arts, social sciences and humanities http://www.intertradeireland.com/horizon2020/ Contact: Carrie Small - carrie.small@intertradeireland.com
Relevant Contacts Dr Shirley Davey - Connected Health - s.davey@ulster.ac.uk Patricia McCrory - Health - p.mccrory@qub.ac.uk Dr Inmaculada Higueras - Arts/Humanities/Social Sciencesi.higueras@qub.ac.uk Dr Stefano Pozzi Mucelli - ICT - s.mucelli@qub.ac.uk Dr Joanne Coyle INI SMEs - joanne.coyle@investni.com Paul Matthews INI SMEs/ FTI - paul.matthews@investni.com Claire Griffin INI SMEs/FTI claire.griffin@investni.com Farha Brahmi INI Brussels tpfarha.brahmi@investni.com
What next? Talk to us about your research needs Think strategically, look medium to long term Successful participation is often a process so be prepared - join networks, be open to collaboration, come to information sessions Start early read the calls here: H2020 calls Register as an evaluator. Evaluator link
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