Regional Programme for Improving Networks of Excellence in the SEE region

JRC Annual Event Scientific Support to the Danube Strategy Regional Programme for Improving Networks of Excellence in the SEE region Anita Tregner-Mlinaric JRC Annual Event Scientific Support to the Danube Strategy, October 27-28, Ulm, Germany Anita Tregner-Mlinaric META Group October 27-28, 2015 Maritim Hotel, Ulm, Germany

META Our Mission META is the premier international investment & advisory group, with pioneering integrated approach to foster knowledge-intensive entrepreneurship at macro & micro scale. META addresses policy decision makers and civil servants, committed in fostering regional competitiveness leveraging on innovation and entrepreneurship; entrepreneurs keen to start up or further develop a new company; researchers, interested in exploiting their research results; and early stage investors looking for fresh and high potential deals. The company s mission is to make Knowledge to Market process effective and profitable!

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Background Western Balkan countries face profound challenges in building a research base and in turning it into new knowledge to be used and absorbed at local level and regional. General Access to state of the art knowledge and to modern research facilities and better use of R&D results are critical needs to be addressed by a new set of integrated policies exploiting the potential of networks. The impact of publicly funded research on innovation and competitiveness in the countries of the Western Balkans remains limited. R&D organizations and performers lack of critical mass to invest in the actions needed to exploit excellence with key players abroad and to use results at regional and member state levels. The capability to create benefit from the spillovers of international co-operation in the R&D field is also influenced by the lack of linkages between public research organisations (PROs) and front runners in the private sector in most of the region. Several countries are still completing their requirements for the negotiations of chapter 25 of the EU Acquis Communautaire on Science and Research.

The region and the international dimension SEE COUNTRIES AND R&I DIASPORA REGIONAL INITIATIVES Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia are all showing progress in the area of research and innovation. Majority of challenges are still similar: funding resources depending on the public sector and heavily cut. Research infrastructure are outdated, no approach in place to keep researchers in the country as well as to attract talents from abroad. The Smart Specialisation Strategy approach still in its embryonic stage. The engagement of diaspora is mentioned by all the countries. However, in reality, there is no evidence of the diaspora being mobilised and results achieved through that cooperation. Strategic frameworks such as Danube Region Strategy (EUSDR), WBC-INCO.NET as well as SEE 2020 Strategy are important opportunities for strengthening regional cooperation, engaging stakeholders and promoting the most appropriate policy set for networks of excellence in the region taking full advantage by the European/international outreach. EU PROGRAMMES In SEE region, there are discrepancies in terms of participation to EU programmes when compared to EU 15 Member states. The same observed when comparing EU 15 to EU 13 countries. As in EU 13 countries, the lobbying component is non-existent. As H2020 has placed the excellence threshold even higher, it will be even more challenging for SEE countries to take the place in the EU club of excellence.

Overview of FP7 participation Number of projects EU contribution received (in Meuro) Albania 35 2.4 Bosnia and Herzegovina 45 3.1 The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 105 11.5 Montenegro 52 4,2 Serbia 314 62,9 Croatia 317 59 Total 861 134,1

Overview of H2020 participation (SME instrument- 1st phase) Submitted proposals Funded Albania 1 0 Bosnia and Herzegovina 0 0 The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 1 0 Montenegro 0 0 Serbia 11 1 Croatia 10 0 Total 24 1 Slovenia 76 5 Estonia 34 5 SME Instrument Total 2169 200

JRC Annual Event Scientific Support to the Danube Strategy Regional Programme for Improving Networks of Excellence (NOE) in the SEE region Anita Tregner-Mlinaric JRC Annual Event Scientific Support to the Danube Strategy, October 27-28, Ulm, Germany Challenges and objectives

Regional challenges NoE responses Accelerate a shift towards a more knowledge intensive economy leveraging on the existing knowledge base; Catch-up with a vision of innovation at 360 not just limited to the technological one; Increase impact of R&D activities at country and regional level; Overcome fragmentation and achieve critical mass needed to better benefit from the international dimension; Increase attractiveness for talents and better profile R&D outputs form the region; Upgrade the skillset of researchers. Improving access to modern research facilities and funds for mission-driven research; Coordination of investments and optimized the use of resources; Specialization in order to generate a critical mass in the research sector is required. By Topping up members activities; Creating support infrastructure; Promoting long term cooperation; Encouraging R&D results exploitation; Boosting visibility at regional, EU and international level; Engaging diaspora.

Relevance with the SEE 2020 Strategy SEE 2020 Strategy Boost competitiveness and job creation, and underscore the European perspective of the region s future. The Smart Growth pillar aims at promoting innovation and fostering knowledge-driven economy. R&D and I is a strategic dimension of the Smart Growth Pillar. WBRIS SEE 2020 builds upon the regional R&D strategy for innovation, the Western Balkans Regional R&D Strategy for Innovation (WBRIS) and in launching a regional platform on research and innovation, WISE (Western Balkans Research and Innovation Strategy Exercise). WISE WISE promote regional collaboration and implement the Regional R&D Strategy for Innovation, being at the same time the coordinator of R&D and Innovation dimension of the SEE 2020. Within the WISE facility, four programmes have been proposed: i) a Research Excellence Fund; ii) a Networks of Excellence initiative; iii) a technology transfer programme; and iv) an early stage startup programme. NOE The Regional Programme on NoE aims at creating the conditions to strengthen the quality and impact of the research carried out in the region by mobilising the appropriate resources (human, physical and financial) needed to be relevant at international level and to contribute to competitiveness. The NoE programme will facilitate research mobility within the region and outside, training of researchers and scientists and access to co-operation programmes and partnerships.

NOE proposed actions Proposed actions build and leverage from the existing infrastructure and research and innovation frameworks ( smart specialisation ) providing target groups with: further mobility and learning opportunities; a platform for networking and better exploiting donors programmes; a consistent framework for marketing the regional R&D excellence. Actions have been conceived to create synergies with the other three programmes in the WISE Facility and to offer opportunities for specialisation and for opening up to the international dimension.

NOE set of Actions Regional actions (multilateral operations); Components Horizontal actions (NoE Platform); Top-up actions (bilateral cooperation). Long term outcomes An increase in quality of R&D outputs and impact, More effective exploitation of international donors and H2020, Improved knowledge exchange with the international R&D community and the private sector Increased traction toward talents and members of the diaspora.

3 Pillars Top Up Actions Regional Actions Horizontal Actions Grants for mobility schemes for researchers and PhD students (bidirectional); Vouchers to use R&D and testing infrastructures abroad. Fellowships for participants to international multilateral projects to further develop R&D results abroad (outside the «region»); Grants for cross border research teams to host researchers from other countries outside the «region» (6-12 months); Vouchers to participate to conferences abroad. Vouchers to prepare proposals to R&D&I programmes financed by international donors (EC and others). Activation of 3 NoE bridgheads abroad and Diaspora Research Hubs abroad; Training on use of R&D results at international level, communication and marketing of R&D results; Challenge based competition to award the best regional teams/projects involved in NoE; Web-platform to market regional excellences, facilitate matchmaking and access to support.

NOE Platform Brussels Hong Kong (Tokyo) Anita Tregner-Mlinaric NOE JRC WISE Annual Event Scientific Support to the Danube Strategy, October 27-28, Ulm, Germany Washington NOE Annual Event (Presentations, Publications, Useful resources) Supporting Web platform SEE region's International Offices and Diaspora Hubs Governance Communication, Visibility, Matchmaking, Outreach

Timeline Bridgehead Brussels Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Diaspora research hubs Bridgehead in Washington Web Platform Training actions Challenge competition Regional fellowships Grants to host researchers Vouchers to prepare proposals Voucher to present abroad Bilateral vouchers to access infrastruct. Bilateral schemes

Programme duration Previous experience at EU level showed that 4-5 years duration of the NoE contract is too short for substantial and sustainable integration. As a yardstick one could use that it takes 2 to 3 successive projects with sharing of personnel and equipment, building cohesion and experiencing mutual benefit thus becoming real partners, building mutual trust and appreciation, common working modalities, and finally a true sense of belonging together. Time for building a true integrated partnership would be from 6 to 9 years (assuming project duration of some 3 years). The duration of 7 years proposed by the WBRIS is compatible with this lesson learnt.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Audit The WISE Facility will monitor and evaluate the daily operation of the overall programme. M&E will take place based on indicators described in the NoE Programme. Where activities are funded by the donors community, their own requirements for M&E and Audit will be embedded in the implementation mechanisms. RCC will be in charge of the overall coordination of the monitoring and evaluation.

Governance The WISE Facility will supervise the implementation of the program and provide overall coordination of day to day activities. The WISE Supervisory Board will be responsible for the detailed design, implementation, monitoring, update and evaluation of the Networks of Excellence Programme. The WISE Approval Committee, (up to five persons, composed of members of the regional and international scientific community and the private sector with expertise in the selected field; individuals will serve for a limited period of time (i.e. two years). Selection of scientific research projects: An international peer review panel appointed for the specific call for proposals will recommend projects.

NOE set of Actions Regional actions (multilateral operations); Components Horizontal actions (NoE Platform); More effective exploitation of international donors and H2020; Improved knowledge exchange with the international R&D community and the private sector; Long term outcomes An increase in quality of R&D outputs and impact.

Multilateral Horizontal Suggested Fellowships for participants to international multilateral projects to further develop R&D results abroad (outside the «region») Vouchers to use R&D and testing infrastructures abroad Activation of a bridgehead in Brussels Training on use of R&D results at international level, communication and marketing of R&D results Vouchers for proposal preparation Activation of bridgeheads abroad Vouchers to participate to conferences abroad Grants for hosting diaspora members (6-12 months) Regional Excellence Award (for applicants to ERC grants) Web-platform to market excellences and facilitate matchmaking Challenge based competition to award the best regional teams/projects involved in NoE Support to research diaspora hubs in Selected countries (Germany, Canada, UK, Sweden, Norway, USA)

Challenges Specific objectives Results Accelerate a shift towards a more knowledge intensive economy Achieve the critical mass needed to better benefit from the international dimension Increase impact of R&D activities at country and regional level Increase attractiveness for talents and better profile R&D outputs form the region Promoting cross fertilization among disciplines Catch-up with a vision of innovation at 360, not just limited to the technological one Promoting long term cooperation along RIS3 areas of intervention Encouraging R&D results exploitation Establishment of cooperation and links with innovation clusters Upgrade the skillset of researchers Achieving visibility at international level Cross-sectorial contamination and cooperation across industries More competitive service sector Market / challenge driven approach embedded into the international dimension Improving impact of country specific policies toping them up with the trans-national dimension Accelerate the attitude towards Exploitation of research results and impact of research Engaged diaspora Increased impact of R&D providing a first answer against fragmentation of efforts and allowing a faster contamination of the skillset each researcher should have A favourable eco system for researchers and talents in place and fostering brain gain and an entrepreneurial attitude within the researcher community Regional excellence promoted

Cornerstones Consistency with smart specialization strategies (if available) and with the objectives of the programme, including sustainability and impact ((renewable energy, aquaculture, and marine culture fields technologies (nanotechnology and biotechnology, domains in which the region shows a higher scientific performance); International orientation (including integration with international consortia); Access to knowledge and physical infrastructure (a human resources and physical infrastructure strategy for the network, including the sharing of research facilities, tools, and platforms and a common strategy for modernizing existing equipment and for increasing staff mobility and exchanges); Effective integration of education, training, and research; Scale of critical mass and excellence of participants; Dynamic turnover of researchers with equal opportunities for participating countries.

Opportunities within 2014-2020 EU Programmes Under the H2020 programme, opportunities for engagement into EU measures for spreading excellence and widening of participation are envisaged in a specific set of actions: The Teaming action (associating advanced research institutions to other institutions, agencies or regions for the creation or upgrade of existing centres of excellence) will support the establishment of new scientific networks, links with local clusters and opening up access to new markets; Twinning will help strengthen a defined field of research in an institution through linking with at least two internationally-leading counterparts in Europe; The ERA Chairs support for universities and other research institutions to attract and maintain high quality human resources and implement the structural changes necessary to achieve excellence on a sustainable basis; The Policy Support Facility to improve the design, implementation and evaluation of national/regional research and innovation policies. It will offer expert advice to public authorities atnational or regional level; Supporting access to international networks for excellent researchers and innovators who lack sufficient involvement in European and international networks. This will include support provided through COST; Administrative and operational capacity of transnational networks of National Contact Points will allow financial and technical support and ensure the flow of information between them and the Horizon 2020 implementation bodies.

MIRRIS Webinar 22 nd October 2015 Support action aiming at: 1) Profiling R&I performance in ERA and Framework Programmes of New Member States; 2) Proposing actionable solutions to improve performances and participation to H2020. More at www.mirris.eu updated Reports on EU13 participation to ERA MIRRIS is funded under FP7 SSH and is implemented by a consortium of 11 leading organizations under the coordination of META Group.

MIRRIS Webinar 22 nd October 2015 Road Map for mobilising reforms 1st Policy Dialogue: GAP analysis of the participation of the countries in EU research programmes Collection of experiences be used in the next step 3rd Policy Dialogue Aim: To translate the portfolio and the SWOT into a Roadmap for intervention 2st Policy Dialogue: Identify and select most appropriate intervention schemes A portfolio of tailored actions for prioritization

MIRRIS Webinar 22 nd October 2015 COMMON CHALLENGES 1. Understanding benefits for participation to FP7/H2020 2. ESIF/H2020 Synergy 3. Research Excellence Promotion 4. Brain drain 5. Mobility of reserchers, talent circulation 6. Skilled human capacity 7. Evaluation system 8. Involvement of private sector in ERA 9. Innovation drive and market oriented research

MIRRIS 3 rd Policy Dialogue-Kalkara, Malta 02 October 2015 For more info or contact: a.tmlinaric@meta-group.com www.mirris.eu info@mirris.eu

EOI Actions - EU Approach 1. Developing joint programmes for research activities towards a common research agenda (in many cases a consolidation of existing cooperation): 2. Pooling scientific equipment, joint use and/or development of (intermediate) research infrastructures: Collaborative research projects of an interdisciplinary and/or exploratory nature paving the way also for new complementary partnerships, new ideas, and for developing new fields and innovative approaches; Combining different, complementary fields and disciplines while at the same time letting the involved disciplinary areas also develop in their separate domains in a competitive way; Fostering excellence by internal and external competition and quality assurance; Ensuring critical mass for addressing ambitious complex challenges; Providing opportunities for comparative crossnational studies; Addressing challenges with a real transnational added value. Establishing common methodologies for the use of complex experimental facilities; Jointly agreed approaches for data collection and treatment; production of joint data sets; Developing joint databases, platforms, test-beds, etc; Searching for business models to ensure longterm sustainability and preparing related business plans.

EOI Actions - EU Approach 3. Providing a favorable environment for young researchers: 4. Offering transnational integrated advanced education and training activities: Building competences for a new generation of researchers by creating networks of young and advanced professionals and scientists through early stage participation in joint research and training activities; Supporting researcher mobility between partner centres and facilitating access to the best research equipment in Europe and elsewhere; Improving the opportunities for joining into EU projects and other transnational activities, thus providing international exposure at an early stage; Improving possibilities for publishing in top international journals, eventually together with world class scientists. Supporting International summer schools and attracting participants from all around the world. 5. Ensuring a science policy interface, including societal involvement and public awareness: Marketing excellence and research results to wider audiences; Developing platforms for user involvement; Organising outreach to the public and providing joint information tools, e.g. common web portal, newsletters...

Proposed Objectives Build on members approach; Reach out the international dimension while leveraging on exploitation of local talents and results; Reinforcing ties and cooperation with the innovation clusters in to further link research with businesses and markets; Making a better use of international programmes and engaging with the diaspora (knowledge, experience, networks and visibility).

SMART SPECIALISATION So far, there is still no evidence that the process of selection, prioritisation responds to the needs identified in the smart specialisation strategies of the countries and of the region, which are still in their embryonic stage. How many countries, in SEE region do have the necessary capacities and resources to complete an objective of leadership in niche markets related to these sectors? How many countries have profiled themselves against international competition when identifying their niche of specialization? How many RIS3 exercises have investigated the potential of contamination between knowledge domains instead of focusing in selecting winning sectors? How many stakeholders have questioned themselves about a specialization that will take place along applications, exploiting business segments, niches, or markets that require adaptation of general technologies to specific user needs?

Preconditions and Assumptions National governments, their agencies and research organisations have to work together at regional level to create a critical mass of actors and outputs and have to commit themselves and their budgets in continuing to support the programme. Agreement to prioritize research fields by combining strong regional research capacity with immediate economic potential, with the notion of smart specialization (concentration, to maximise the impact of investments). Risks: Project based approach rather than capability to implement a programme; resistance to change in the academic environment from researchers and unwillingness by senior PRO management to press for it; lack of integration of many Universities, making individual Faculties powerful to resist reform (increased focus on few selected areas, innovation and international dimension). Regional participation in EU Funded R&D programmes (FP7, HORIZON2020, COST and Eureka), along with access to the EU s Joint Research Center and to the provision for capacity building and training on EU-related policies provides mitigation opportunities as researchers are already aware and motivated to take part to international cooperation activities and used to excellence as selection factor.