Criteria for selection of operations

Manual Operational Programme "Science and education for smart growth" 2014-2020 Version 1 Chapter 5 Annex 5.2. Criteria for selection of operations Approved by: Head of MA Date: 1. GENERAL DESCRIPTION Priority Axis No and Name Investment priority No and name 1. Research and technological development 1a. Enhancing research and innovation (R&I) infrastructure and capacities to develop R&I excellence, and promoting centres of competence, in particular those of European interest. Specific objective 1. Enhancing excellent and market-oriented research Name Brief description and justification of execution CREATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF CENTRES OF EXCELLENCE (CoE) The main objective of the operation is to increase the level and market orientation of the research activities of the leading research organizations in Bulgaria. To overcome the shortage of competitive and internationally recognized research complexes, meeting the requirements for modern infrastructure and a high level of research in areas of interest to the Bulgarian economy, OP SESG will support the creation and/ or development and upgrading of Centres of Excellence (CoE). These centres will create the best possible conditions for attracting highly qualified researchers to conduct top level research at European scale in the priority areas of Research and Innovation Strategy for Smart Specialisation (RIS3) and will improve significantly the potential for applied research, experimental development and innovations. 1 The Centres of Excellence will address the need for building modern research complexes, which are focused on the areas with the greatest potential to increase the competitiveness of Bulgarian economy. Developing the capacity for research and innovation The definition of Centre of excellence is described in the text of the Operational Programme Science and education for smart growth : top-level scientific complexes, in which the scientific studies are performed following the best world standards and practices. The performance of the CoE will be evaluated in terms of the quality, quantity and impact of their scientific production (e.g., the publications falling in top 10 % of the research publications in the respective research area). These complexes should have a critical mass of high level scientists, well-defined organizational structure and own research programme. 1

Manual Operational Programme "Science and education for smart growth" 2014-2020 Version 1 Chapter 5 Annex 5.2. Criteria for selection of operations Approved by: Head of MA Date: will open up opportunities for new partnerships with the business and for the creation of new businesses. The programmes for development of CoE will be evaluated with special focus on the proposed plans for development of original top-level scientific research in the priority areas of RIS3. Demarcation Operation activities must be implemented within four components (under four separate calls for grant applications) which correspond to the priority areas and/or sub-priorities of RIS3: Component 1: Mechatronics and clean technologies; Component 2: Informatics and ICT; Component 3: Industry for healthy living and biotechnology; Component 4: New technologies in creative and recreational industries. Demarcation and complementarity with the Operational Programme Innovation and Competitiveness 2014 2020 (OPIC): The support under OP SESG is aimed at developing the required infrastructure and human resources for the implementation of applied research in the thematic areas of the Research and Innovation Strategy for Smart Specialisation. The newly established and the modernised research infrastructure will be involved in research, leading to the creation and dissemination of publicly available knowledge in RIS3 areas, which in turn will serve as an incentive and scientific basis for the business to engage in innovation activity. OPIC will in turn intervene in support of the production of applied research and innovation with a view to creating or improving specific products and services in enterprises, as well as their commercialisation, using the developed capacity and the results of the applied research carried out in centres of competence and centres of excellence, higher education institutions and research organisations. 2

Manual Operational Programme "Science and education for smart growth" 2014-2020 Version 1 Chapter 5 Annex 5.2. Criteria for selection of operations Approved by: Head of MA Date: Demarcation and complementarity with Horizon 2020 Programme: OP SESG will ensure support for research capacity building of research organisations and higher educational establishments through modernisation of their equipment and creation of attractive conditions for researchers. As a result, a wider participation in Horizon 2020 can be expected. The modernisation of the research environment will lead to attracting world-class researchers who could attract additional grant funding from Horizon 2020. The interventions in OP SESG will facilitate the Bulgarian researchers to participate in the various European activities under Horizon 2020, such as JPIs, ERA-NETs and the Widening actions 2. The evaluation results from the competition in the Teaming action will be used in the process of selection of the centres of excellence, supported by OP SESG. At the programming stage, demarcation is required in terms of the development of partnership facilities, research centres, etc. OP SESG funding will only be available to such institutions at national level. Another opportunity to promote complementarity between the funds is to provide complementary or follow-up funding for projects that have already been supported under Horizon 2020. Duration 2016-2023 г. Specific territories targeted Republic of Bulgaria, other European Union (EU) Member States. Method of implementation Grant award under projects selection procedure in accordance with Art. 11, paragraph 1 of the Council of Ministers Decree No 107/10.05.2014 on laying down the procedure for financial grant award under programmes, financed by the ERDF, ESF, Cohesion Fund of the European Union and the EMFF for the period 2014-2 Interaction is allowed between European Structural and Investment Funds, Horizon 2020 and other research, innovation and competitiveness-related EU programmes (Guidelines for policy makers and implementing bodies) 3

Manual Operational Programme "Science and education for smart growth" 2014-2020 Version 1 Chapter 5 Annex 5.2. Criteria for selection of operations Approved by: Head of MA Date: Budget to (in Leva) 2. SPECIFIC ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Eligible beneficiaries (applicants and partners) 2020 200 000 000 BGN, distributed as follows: Component 1 70 000 000 lv Component 2 30 000 000 lv Component 3 70 000 000 lv Component 4 30 000 000 lv - Established Centres of Excellence; - Research institutes; - Higher education institutions and/or their primary units; - Bulgarian Academy of Sciences - Agricultural Academy - Other Public and private research organisations * - Non-for-profit organisations** and/or innovation clusters - Partnerships of public and/or private research organisations and/or higher education institutions and/or their primary units; - Consortia of public and/or private research organisations and/or higher education institutions and/or their primary units; *according to 1, т. 1 from Supplementary provisions of Scientific Research Promotion Act **all legal entities which are included in the non-for-profit organisations should be research organisation Important! Associated partners (as defined in 1 of the Supplementary Provisions of Council of Ministers Decree 107/10.05.2014) under this procedure are individual persons or legal entities and/or their associations, which are interested in the project implementation and participate in project activities, but do not spend from the project grant. Costs incurred by associated partners are not eligible for reimbursement under the operational programme. However, the planned costs made by the associated partners during the phase of application with a project proposal should be included in the total project cost/benefit analysis. It is not necessary the associated partners to be eligible beneficiaries 4

Manual Operational Programme "Science and education for smart growth" 2014-2020 Version 1 Chapter 5 Annex 5.2. Criteria for selection of operations Approved by: Head of MA Date: Requirements to beneficiaries (applicants and partners) (if applicable) under the operational programme or under this procedure. Applicants for grants and partners of applicants for grants must be research and knowledge dissemination organisations within the meaning of paragraph 15, point ee of the Framework for State aid for research, development and innovation (2014/C 198/01) (Framework). Research and knowledge dissemination organisation or research organisation means an entity (such as higher education institutions or research institutes, technology transfer agencies, innovation intermediaries, research-oriented physical or virtual collaborative entities), irrespective of its legal status (organised under public or private law) or way of financing, whose primary goal is to independently conduct fundamental research, industrial research or experimental development or to widely disseminate the results of such activities by way of teaching, publication or knowledge transfer. Where such entity also pursues economic activities, the financing, the costs and the revenues of those economic activities must be accounted for separately. Undertakings that can exert a decisive influence upon such an entity, for example in the quality of shareholders or members, may not enjoy a preferential access to the results generated by it. Public support will be provided when a commitment was made together with timely mandatory introduction of relevant precise traceability system, that the infrastructure will be used almost exclusively for non-economic activities, under the terms of the Framework for state aid for research, development and innovation. Where a research organisation or research infrastructure is used for both economic and non-economic activities, the research infrastructure must be used almost exclusively for a noneconomic activity. The economic use must be purely ancillary, that is to say, it must correspond to an activity which is directly related and necessary for the operation of the research 5

Manual Operational Programme "Science and education for smart growth" 2014-2020 Version 1 Chapter 5 Annex 5.2. Criteria for selection of operations Approved by: Head of MA Date: infrastructure or intrinsically linked to its main non-economic use, and it must be limited in scope. For the purpose of the present requirements, the Managing Authority (MA) will consider this to be the case if the economic activities consume exactly the same inputs (such as material, equipment, labour and fixed capital) as the non-economic activities and the capacity allocated each year to such activities does not exceed 20 % of the respective overall annual capacity of the infrastructure. A legal entity may apply with no more than one project proposal under a component 3. The performance of the CoE will be evaluated in terms of quantity, quality and impact of their research output (as publications within the top 10 % of scientific publications in the relevant scientific field). These complexes must have a critical mass of researchers at a high level, well-defined organizational structure and strategy, and their own research programme. In organizational terms, applicants must already have or plan to accept: - Policy and rules on intellectual property; - Policy and rules for the exploitation and commercialization of research results, incl. structure for the transfer of knowledge and technology; - Written rules for institutional implementation of The European Charter for Researchers and The Code of Conduct for Recruitment of the EC; - Administrative capacity for project implementation. Eligible activities I. Activities related to creation of CoE and providing equipment for them to conduct almost exclusively independent R&D&I: 1. Creation of new or substantially modernizing existing specialized research infrastructures; 2. Purchase and modernization of equipment necessary for the 3 According to art. 2 and 1, p. 3 of the additional provisions of Council of Ministers Decree 107/10.05.2014 6

Manual Operational Programme "Science and education for smart growth" 2014-2020 Version 1 Chapter 5 Annex 5.2. Criteria for selection of operations Approved by: Head of MA Date: implementation of the cetner s research programme. II. Activities within the CoE related to carrying out independent R&D&I for more knowledge and better understanding, including joint R&D&I where the research organisation or research infrastructure takes part in effective collaboration, under the terms of the Framework for State aid for research, development and innovation (2014/ C 198/01). 1. Carrying out research at the highest international level in the priority areas of RIS3; 2. Introduction of new research, training and educational methods in the practice of CoE; 3. Attracting top researchers and top specialists to conduct research at a high level in the priority areas of RIS3; 4. Providing specializations in leading scientific centres abroad of highly qualified researchers; 5. Establishment of strategic partnerships and joint research programmes with leading European research centres; 6. Participation in international and transnational research networks and programmes/partnerships, which ensure a high level of international visibility and scientific connectivity; 7. Conducting specializations for the participating researchers, including a high level of exchange and mobility; 8. Development of sustainable funding sources and working conditions, including the development of sustainable partnerships with business and carrying out joint projects with private investors. III. Activities related to wide dissemination of research results on a non-exclusive and non-discriminatory basis, including through lectures, open-access databases, open publications or open-code software as well as knowledge transfer activities, where they are conducted either by the research organisation or research infrastructure (including their departments or subsidiaries) or jointly with research infrastructure, or on behalf of other such entities, under the terms of the Framework: 7

Manual Operational Programme "Science and education for smart growth" 2014-2020 Version 1 Chapter 5 Annex 5.2. Criteria for selection of operations Approved by: Head of MA Date: 1. Distribution and transfer of research results which are product of the participants in the CoEamong the academic community and the business of international and national level; Note: All profit made from distribution and transfer of research results must be re-invested in the main (noneconomic) activities of the CoE. and other related non-profit activities necessary to make CoE fully operational. Important! A. The investments in infrastructure/equipment must be at least 75 % of the total ERDF support under the OP, to ensure a significant development of the research infrastructure. Isolated renovations of buildings with limited impact on the quality and quantity of the performed research will not be eligible. B. Providers of products and services, necessary for the realization of the intervention activities, will be selected under the terms of the Public Procurement Act or of Council of Ministers Decree No 118/20.05.2014 in order to ensure that the purchase of equipment and provision of services will be carried out under market conditions and that no any indirect aid could be transferred to the contractors. C. In case the beneficiary implements not only non-economic but also economic activities (such as renting out facilities or laboratories to enterprises, providing services to enterprises or performing research awarded pursuant to a contract, or activities related to organisation and management of CoE which are not awarded under the terms of point B), financing, costs and revenues incurred from these economic activities will be reported separately, and the capacity allocated each year to such activities will not exceed 20 % of the respective overall annual capacity of the infrastructure. 8

Manual Operational Programme "Science and education for smart growth" 2014-2020 Version 1 Chapter 5 Annex 5.2. Criteria for selection of operations Approved by: Head of MA Date: Eligible target groups Researchers, entrepreneurs, innovators, lecturers, doctoral students, post-doctoral researchers, young researchers, graduate students, research participants, university students, school students Minimum amount of aid (in Leva, if applicable) in operation 20 000 000 BGN investment in research infrastructure and equipment Maximum amount of aid (in Euro, if applicable) in operation Co-financing by the beneficiary (if applicable) Compliance with regulations regulating state aid (if applicable) Component 1 70 000 000 BGN Component 2 30 000 000 BGN Component 3 70 000 000 BGN Component 4 30 000 000 BGN Not required According to Art. 107, paragraph 1 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union any aid granted by a Member State or through State resources in any form whatsoever which distorts or threatens to distort competition by favouring certain undertakings or the production of certain goods shall, in so far as it affects trade between Member States, be incompatible with the internal market. Under this operation eligible applicants and beneficiaries are only research and knowledge dissemination organisations or research organisations within the meaning of paragraph 15, point ee of The Framework for State aid for research and development and innovation. When the applicants and beneficiaries practice simultaneously activities with economic and non-economic purpose, the ratio of both type of activities, their costs, financing and revenues must be separated effectively in order to avoid cross-subsidization. Applicants and beneficiaries compliance with this requirement will be verified by the Managing Authority during the application stage, during the implementation of the project and during the whole life-cycle of the equipment and activities than have been purchased under the terms in the Guidelines for Applicants. Public support will be provided to activities with almost exclusively non-economic character, i.e. economic activity 9

Manual Operational Programme "Science and education for smart growth" 2014-2020 Version 1 Chapter 5 Annex 5.2. Criteria for selection of operations Approved by: Head of MA Date: related to supply of products and services and/or the result of the activity on the market will not exceed 20 % of the respective overall annual capacity of the infrastructure. The compliance to this requirement will be monitored by the Managing Authority during the implementation of the project and during the whole life-cycle of the equipment and activities than have been purchased under the terms in the Guidelines for Applicants. Requirements for beneficiary will be included in the Guidelines for Applicants and the grant award contracts, to guarantee that no indirect State aid will be transferred to the providers of products and services necessary for the realization of project activities, as well as to enterprises that award to beneficiaries pursuant to a contract scientific research or scientific research services, or carry out jointly with beneficiaries collaboration projects. Beneficiaries compliance with these requirements will be verified by the Managing Authority during the evaluation stage, during the implementation of the project and during the whole life-cycle of the equipment and activities than have been purchased under the operation under the terms of the Guidelines for grant applicants. The beneficiaries must simultaneously meet the following requirements: A) The main activity of the beneficiary must be noneconomic, the infrastructure activity must be almost exclusively non-economic and separate (separable) from the economic activity, in case the beneficiary carries out such activity and in case the beneficiary also has economic activity, both types of activities and the costs, financing and revenue related to them could be clearly separated; B) The respective project activity must be exclusively with non-economic character, i.e. economic activity related to supply of products and services and/or the result of the activity on the market must not exceed 20% of the respective overall annual capacity of the infrastructure; C) It must be traceable that the eligible costs are allocated 10

Manual Operational Programme "Science and education for smart growth" 2014-2020 Version 1 Chapter 5 Annex 5.2. Criteria for selection of operations Approved by: Head of MA Date: namely to the activities described in A) and B). All concepts in the present criteria have the meaning as pointed out in the definitions in the Framework for State aid for research, development and innovation. Based on the above and on the compliance of the operation with the applicable conditions and requirements of Section 2 of the Framework, the intervention is public funding of almost exclusively non-economic activities and hereof it does not include State aid within the meaning of Art. 107, para. 1 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. Eligible costs Costs related to activities in paragraph I: Costs for consulting services related to the preparation and/or completion of documentation for application for financial support, incl. notarial services and other fees; Costs for consulting services related to the preparation of an investment project; Costs for organization and management; Costs for construction and assembly works; Costs for the purchase and modernization of equipment necessary for the implementation of research programmes; Costs for the purchase of not built-up and built-up immovable property are permissible up to 10 percent of the total eligible expenditure for the operation; Costs related to activities in paragraph II: Costs for the elaboration and adoption of: - Policy and rules on intellectual property; - Policy and rules for the exploitation and commercialization of research results, incl. structure for the transfer of knowledge and technology; - Written rules for institutional implementation of The European Charter for Researchers and The Code of Conduct for Recruitment of the EC; Costs for organization and management; 11

Manual Operational Programme "Science and education for smart growth" 2014-2020 Version 1 Chapter 5 Annex 5.2. Criteria for selection of operations Approved by: Head of MA Date: Personnel remuneration costs of: scientific and technical expertise, including doctoral students, young researchers, leading researchers and top specialists to conduct research at a high level, engineers, laboratory assistants, technicians and other support personnel directly involved in the project; Costs for training of laboratory assistants, engineers and young researchers and specializations in the leading scientific centres abroad; Costs for training aiming to increase the administrative capacity to develop and implement projects under European and international programmes and on business orders; Cost for personal exchange between the reserachersteam, performing the project s scientific programme, and leading research centres in Europe; Travel and subsistence costs for participation in specializations, international conferences, thematically related to the project; Costs for the purchase of materials and consumables used in the project and research activities; Costs of ongoing maintenance (incl. overheads): the maximum amount of costs must not exceed 5 % of the total eligible project costs; Costs related to activity III: Costs of publication of scientific articles; Costs for protection and exploitation of intellectual property; Costs for exploitation and commercialization of research results, incl. structure for the transfer of knowledge and technology; Costs for organizing seminars and conferences, dissemination of the results, and others, provided that they are directly related to the project; Costs for publicity and visualization up to 1 percent of the total eligible costs; 12

Manual Operational Programme "Science and education for smart growth" 2014-2020 Version 1 Chapter 5 Annex 5.2. Criteria for selection of operations Approved by: Head of MA Date: Other types of eligible costs: Costs for non-recoverable VAT; Insurance costs for the tangible fixed assets acquired as a result of the activity; Auditing costs. Costs for consulting services under the terms of the Framework for State aid for research, development and innovation are eligible only if the contractor is selected via an open, transparent, non-discriminatory and unconditional bidding procedure under the terms of the Public Procurement Act or of Council of Ministers Decree No 118/20.05.2014, in which each interested economic operator has the opportunity to participate, in order to eliminate a potential State aid. 3. INDICATORS Output indicators 70 new researchers in supported entities 100 researchers working in improved RI facilities four newly built infrastructure complexes in CoE 40 joint research projects developed between CoE and business Result indicators Share of scientific publications among top 10 % most cited in RIS3 priority areas - 4 % Public expenditure on R&D (GOVERD plus HERD) financed by business enterprises as % of GDP 4. MANAGING AUTHORITY Name Structural Funds and International Educational Programmes Directorate General Ministry of Education and Science 13

MC.SESG.З.3.4.221015 final CRITERIA AND METHODOLOGY OF PROJECT PROPOSALS ASSESSMENT ON OPERATIONAL PROGRAMME SCIENCE AND EDUCATION FOR SMART GROWTH 2014-2020 Selection procedure in term of defined period for tender Creation and development of Centre of excellence (CoE) Priority Axis 1: Research and technological development Specific objective 1: Enhancing excellent and market-oriented research Operation 1: Creation and development of Centre of excellence (CoE) 1

MC.SESG.З.3.4.221015 final I. Criteria for assessment of administrative compliance and eligibility of project proposals 1.1 Criteria for assessment the administrative compliance of project proposals submitted electronically under the procedure. Criteria YES NO N/A The project proposal has been submitted via the e-platform for electronic services of Information 1. system for management and monitoring of the EU funds in compliance with the approved Application Form template. 2. The project proposal is signed by electronic signature in accordance with the Guidelines for Applicants 3. All sections, relevant to the procedure of the Application Form, are filled in 4. The project proposal is written in Bulgarian. 5. 6. The budget is submitted in accordance with the required format and the values are shown in Bulgarian leva (BGN). Declarations.. to the Guidelines for Applicants are filled in and signed with electronic signature by all persons representing the applicant notwithstanding the type of representation jointly or separately and/or in other way). (Separate check-list for each declaration follows below). 7. Declaration for separation of non-economic activity from the economic activity of the applicant Annex ХХХ to Guidelines for Application is filled in and signed with universal electronic signature by a person authorized to represent the applicant. 2

MC.SESG.З.3.4.221015 final 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. In cases where the applicant is jointly represented by several persons these data should be filled in and the declaration should be signed with universal electronic signature by each of them or this person of them who is authorized by a notary certified power of attorney from the rest of the persons authorized to represent the applicant. Current legal standing certificate of the applicant is attached, issued by the relevant court or the Registry Agency not earlier than 3 months before the date of sending the project proposal scanned copy, signed with universal electronic signature by the applicant (when the applicant is a non-profit legal entity). Either Articles of Association or Memorandum of Association is attached as a proof of the main activity of applicant scanned copy (when the applicant is a non-profit legal entity). Protocol of Establishment and a document certifying the authorization for the person/s representing the relevant applicant are submitted (applicable to all applicants except non-profit legal entities) scanned copy. Structural Regulation or other Rules of Procedure, Articles of Association or other Rules that settle the fulfilment and financing of activities (applicable to academic specialized units of the Bulgarian academy of Sciences and experimental laboratory and research institute under the provisions of art. 60 of the Administration Act) scanned copy. Document, issued by the National Agency for Assessment and Accreditation for verification of the last valid assessment for institutional accreditation (applicable only for higher education institutions/faculties to the higher education institutions according to Higher Education Act) scanned copy. 3

13. A notary certified power of attorney is attached, which authorizes one of the persons representing the applicant to sign with universal electronic signature the project proposal and the Declaration for separation of non-economic activity from the economic activity of the applicant (Annex ХХХ) scanned copy (applicable in cases when the applicant is represented jointly by more than one person). 14. The applicant has submitted only one project proposal under this procedure. 15. All additionally required documents by the Guidelines for Application are attached. MC.SESG.З.3.4.221015 final 1.2. Assessment and eligibility criteria of the applicant Criteria: YES NO 1. The applicant is: - Established Centre of Excellence or - Research institute or - Higher education institution and/or its primary unit or - Bulgarian Academy of Sciences or - Agricultural Academy or - Other Public or private research organisation * or - Non-for-profit organisation** and/or innovation cluster or - Partnership of public and/or private research organisations and/or higher education institutions and/or their primary units or - Consortium of public and/or private research organisations and/or higher education institutions and/or their primary units. *according to 1, p. 1 from Supplementary provisions of Scientific Research Promotion Act 4

**all legal entities which are included in the non-for-profit organisations should be research organisation MC.SESG.З.3.4.221015 final 2. The applicant is a legal entity whose main objective is research and/or innovation, technological and experimental development and dissemination of their results through lectures, publications or technologies transfer. 3. The applicant is domiciled in Bulgaria. 4. The applicant is directly responsible for implementation of project activities rather than act as an intermediary. 5. 6. The applicant is not the object of unfulfilled reimbursement as a consequence of a previous decision of the Commission by which a particular aid is identified as illegal and incompatible with the Common Market. The applicant does not fall under any of the conditions listed in the general criteria for non-eligibility of applicants in point...of the Guidelines for Application for this procedure and that is stated with the signed and attached declaration. 7. The applicant is not found in bankruptcy or in ongoing bankruptcy proceedings 8. The applicant is not in liquidation proceedings (applicable to legal entities only). 9. The applicant has not been and is currently not in grant refund procedure 1.3. Criteria for assessing the eligibility of the application No Criteria: YES NO 5

1. The project duration does not exceed 72 months 2. MC.SESG.З.3.4.221015 final The project focuses on the following RIS3 priority area (depending on the specific call, one of the following areas is shown): Mechatronics and clean technologies; Informatics and information and communication technologies; Industry for healthy living and biotechnology; New technologies in creative and recreational industries. 2.1. The applicant has not submitted another project proposal under this call for proposals. 3. The value of the infrastructure/equipment eligible costs in the application is not less than EUR 10 million 4. The project activities are implemented on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria and the EU 5. The project contains only activities which are eligible under this procedure 6. 7. 7.1. 7.2. The project activities affect only applicant s non-profit activity and have almost exclusively non-profit character To what extent does the project proposal contribute to achieving the specific objective in the corresponding investment priority of the operational programme: The relation between the project proposal and the investment priority is described in a precise, accurate and detailed way The project proposal corresponds to the purpose of the grant scheme, as described in the specific objective n 1 of priority axis n 1 in the operational programme 7.3. The activities proposed in the project proposal are integrated and coordinated 7.4. The objectives and tasks of the project are clearly structured and justified. 6

8. MC.SESG.З.3.4.221015 final The applicant provides a R&D strategic development programme for 10 year, in accordance with the model template shown in the Guidelines for Application. 9. Existence of a detailed schedule of planned public procurement as foreseen in the Guidelines for Application. 1.4. Criteria for assessing the eligibility of costs No Criteria: YES NO 1. The project contains only costs eligible under this procedure. 2. The costs for infrastructure/equipment are at least 75 % of the total support under the project proposal. 3. 4. 4.1. 4.2. The activities described in the project proposal have not been and are not subject of EU support or other national public funding. Is the applicant a partner in another project proposal under this call or appears (as applicant or partner) under another component (for CoEs/CoCs)? IF YES The applicant does not apply or is not a partner in another project proposal for the activities described in the current project proposal. The project proposal clearly identifies the costs/equipment (if any) which could overlap or which create a risk to be duplicated in the case when different project proposal (as main beneficiary and/or as partner) are selected for cofinancing by the OP. The project proposal also provides a description of an accounting system, which would be able to segregate the costs related to each co-financed project. 7

MC.SESG.З.3.4.221015 final 5. All costs for consulting services are deemed to be spent under contractor who is selected by way of open, transparent, non-discriminatory and unconditional bidding procedure under the terms of the Public Procurement Act or of Council of Ministers Decree No 118/20.05.2014, in which each interested economic operator has the opportunity to participate in order to eliminate potential State aid. 8

MC.SESG.З.3.4.221015 final II. Criteria for technical and financial evaluation ASSESSMENT OF THE PROJECT PROPOSALS (PP) AND OF THE SCIENTIFIC POTENTIAL OF THE CANDIDATE RESEARCH ORGANISATIONS Evaluation criteria I. EVALUATION OF THE PROJECT PROPOSALS (PP) Maximum number of points 100 points Section from the application form 1. Evaluation of the proposed structure of CoE 0-6 p. - The leading organization has made a preliminary research for potential partners, based on which it has selected the main members of the application. Synergy/complementarity between the leading organisation and its partners is demonstrated. Relevant business(es), (i.e. business(es) active in the relevant R&D priority area) is/are chosen as associate partner(s) 6 p. - The leading organization has made a preliminary research, based on which it has selected the main members of the applicant organization. There is a demonstrated synergy/complementarity between the organization and its partner(s) 2 p. - The leading organization has not made a preliminary research to select the main members of the applicant organization and/or has not demonstrated synergy/complementarity between the organisation and the chosen associate partner(s) 0 p. 2. Evaluation of the programs for research and development in priority area [mention clearly the RIS3 area subject of the call] 6 0 36 p. 9

MC.SESG.З.3.4.221015 final Evaluation of the 10-year's R&D strategic programmes for market-oriented research in the RIS3 priority area subject of the call for proposals When assessing the R&D strategic development programmes, experts keep in mind the priority of the specific objective as referred to in OP SESG, which is to promote centres of excellences which produce highlevel and market-oriented research in the RIS3 priority areas. That assessment shall be made on a scale from 0 to 4 and the number of allocated points distributed according to the following degree of compliance: 4 - excellent (10 points) 3 good (6 points) 2 average (3 points) 1 low (1 point) 0 unsatisfactory (0 points) [The following criteria will be clearly presented to candidates in the Guidelines for Application, as being part of the 10 years R&D strategic programme to be submitted] Evaluation of plans for researchers mobility and recruitment, incl. plan to attract leading researchers and plan for specializations in leading scientific centres abroad in the respective RIS3 priority area: The applicant has developed a plan for researchers mobility, and a plan for new recruitments. Competences gap analysis has been properly carried out, profiles required are identified, and the associated strategy to attract young talents and leading researchers is presented. The developed plans are realistic and consistent with the objectives of the project proposal 4 p. The applicant has not developed the described plans properly or the developed plans are not realistic and/or are not consistent with the objectives of the project proposal 0 p. 10 4 10

MC.SESG.З.3.4.221015 final Evaluation plans for international cooperation, incl. to build strategic partnerships and joint research programs with leading European research centres, and participation in international and transnational research networks and programmes/partnerships; The applicant has developed detailed plans for international cooperation, incl. to build strategic partnerships and joint research programs with leading European research centres, and participation in international and transnational research networks and programmes/partnerships. The developed plans are realistic and consistent with the objectives of the project proposal 5 p. The applicant has not developed the described plans or the developed plans are not complete, not realistic and/or are not consistent with the objectives of the project proposal 0 p. Evaluation of the plan for the development of sustainable partnerships with businesses and plan to carry out joint projects with private investors The applicant has developed a plan for sustainable partnerships with businesses and plans to carry out joint projects with identified businesses/private investors, and the developed plan and joint projects are realistic and consistent with the objectives of the project proposal 6 p. The applicant has developed a plan for sustainable partnership with businesses which is realistic and consistent with the objectives of the project proposal but joint projects and business/private investors are not identified yet 3 p. The applicant has not developed a plan for the development of sustainable partnership with businesses which is realistic and consistent with the objectives of the project proposal 0 p. Evaluation of the plan for dissemination and transfer of research results (incl. management of intellectual property rights) among the academic community and the business sector at international and national level; The applicant has developed a plan for dissemination and transfer of research results among the academic community and the business sector (incl. management of intellectual property rights) at 5 6 4 11

international and national level, and the developed plan is realistic and consistent with the objectives of the project proposal 4 p. The applicant has not developed a plan for dissemination and transfer of research results among the academic community and the business sector at international and national level, or the developed plan is not realistic and/or consistent with the objectives of the project proposal 0 p. Evaluation of the plan for risk management - The applicant has proposed a plan in which it has identified the relevant potential risks, has classified them by importance and has suggested appropriate measures for overcoming and/or management of those risks - 2 p. - The applicant has not identified the relevant potential risks or the potential risks are not classified and/or the measures for overcoming and/or management of those risks are not proposed or are not appropriate/convincing 0 p. Evaluation of the sustainability of the proposed monitoring system for key performance indicators The applicant has proposed a monitoring system that includes a full set of output and performance indicators in line and/or complementary to those described in the OP and contributing to the achievement of the specific objective, including the mandatory indicators, with quantified and realistic milestones and targets to 2020 5 p. The applicant has proposed a monitoring system that includes quantified, realistic and achievable milestones and targets to 2020 for the mandatory indicators only. Additional indicators proposed are not in line/complementary with those of the OP and/or their values are not clear and/or realistic 2 p. The applicant has not defined a sustainable monitoring system 0 p. 3. Evaluation of the economic impact of the research programme. 0 8 p. MC.SESG.З.3.4.221015 final 2 5 12

- The R&D programme's potential to reinforce the value chain and/or competitiveness of the country in the RIS3 priority area is fully elaborated. The potential for increase of business investment in public R&D (GOVERD plus HERD ) is clearly estimated, significant and realistic 8 p. - The R&D programme's potential to reinforce the value chain and/or competitiveness of the country in the RIS3 priority area is not fully elaborated. The potential for increase of business investment in the public R&D (GOVERD plus HERD ) is clearly estimated and realistic 4 p. - The economic impact of the R&D programme is not demonstrated or is not realistic 0 p. 4. Evaluation of the plan to use the newly built research infrastructure 0 10 p. MC.SESG.З.3.4.221015 final Plan to use the capacity of the newly built infrastructure The applicant has justified the use of 100 % of the capacity of the newly built infrastructure 6 p. The applicant has not justified the use of 100 % of the capacity of the newly built infrastructure 0 p. Plan for infrastructure use by persons/entities outside the organization receiving support The applicant has submitted a realistic plan for the use of the new infrastructure by people/entities outside the organization(s) that received support. Potential external users have expressed interest 4 p. The applicant has submitted a realistic plan for the use of the new infrastructure by people/entities outside the organization(s) that received support. Potential external users are identified but have not expressed interest yet 2 p. The applicant has not submitted a realistic plan for the use of the new infrastructure by people/entities outside the organization that received support 0 p. 5. Financing plan: cost-effectiveness and sustainability of the research infrastructure investment Analysis and assessment of the relevance of planned investments 6 4 0 18 p. 13

MC.SESG.З.3.4.221015 final Indicative budget for developing the Centre of Excellence covering development of research infrastructures and specialised equipment, training budget and budget for administration, including remuneration and operating costs of the Centre, for a period of 10 years: Indicative budget of the Centre is structured correctly, it is clear and complete 6 p. Indicative budget of the Centre is not structured correctly and/or is unclear or incomplete 0 p. Plan for financing the costs of maintenance and operation of infrastructure through other sources than the national and European budget (with own financing and/or funds originating from businesses, etc.) to ensure sustainability of the investment: The applicant has submitted a plan for financing the costs of maintenance and operation of the infrastructure with funds generated from own income and/or funds originating from businesses (i.e. resources other than national and EU budget); this plan is quantified with significant other resources identified and is realistic 6 p. The applicant has submitted a plan for financing the costs of maintenance and operation of the infrastructure with funds generated from own income and/or funds originating from businesses; this plan is quantified and realistic 3 p. The applicant has submitted a plan for financing the cost of maintenance and operation of the infrastructure with funds generated from own income and/or resources of the business but the submitted plan is not quantified and/or not realistic 0 p Cost-effectiveness: is each cost justified and clearly bound with one or more of the proposed project activities? Is the ratio between costs and expected results satisfactory? (i) There is a full compliance and logical link between activities and budget; (ii) The set amounts are in line with market conditions; (iii) The budget shows that spending planned resources is justified by the existing need and it is obvious from the budget that the optimal path is selected (costs / results / impact) to solve the problem and to provide the benefits sought 6 p. 6 6 6 14

The two first criteria (i) and (ii) above are fulfilled 2 p. Information provided is unclear for at least one of the above mentioned criteria 0 p. 6. Assessment of the scientific, administrative and management capacity of the project team. 0 17 p. Project Management Team - The applicant has the required administrative and management capacity (existence of teams for the management of the construction phase and of the operation phase of the research infrastructure), the nominated experts possess the necessary education, experience and qualification for the positions they occupy 6 p. - The applicant has partially the requisite administrative and management capacity, and has at its disposal declarations for commitment (availability) from external experts who possess education, experience and qualification necessary for the respective positions 4 p. - The applicant does not have the required administrative and management capacity, but has at its disposal declarations for commitment (availability) from external experts who possess education, experience and qualification necessary for the respective positions 2 p. - The applicant does not have management team, nor declarations for commitment (availability from experts who possess education, experience and qualification required) 0 p. Management Plan coordination mechanism, including management body (bodies), envisaged mechanisms for monitoring, coordination and progress assessment, impact assessment - The applicant has coordination mechanism, including management body/bodies, envisaged mechanisms for monitoring, coordination and progress assessment, impact assessment 5 p. 5 - The applicant's coordination mechanism, including management body/bodies, envisaged mechanisms for monitoring, coordination and progress assessment, impact assessment, is incomplete/unclear 0 p. Scientific project team 6 MC.SESG.З.3.4.221015 final 6 15

- The applicant has constituted a credible scientific team with appropriate mix of Bulgarian and international experts in the relevant fields of expertise, including from the business and application sphere - 6 p. - The applicant has partially constituted a credible scientific team with appropriate mix of Bulgarian and international experts in the relevant fields of expertise, including from the business and application sphere and has at its disposal declarations for commitment (availability) of identified external experts - 3 p. - The applicant has not constituted a credible scientific team with appropriate mix of Bulgarian and international experts in the relevant fields of expertise, including from the business and application sphere although it has at its disposal declarations for commitment (availability) of identified external experts - 0 p. MC.SESG.З.3.4.221015 final 7. Bonus points for projects short-listed in "Teaming" call The number of points obtained by ranking under "Teaming" 10 points 0 5 p. Threshold value = 70 points SUM = K1 II. EVALUATION OF THE SCIENTIFIC POTENTIAL OF THE CANDIDATE RESEARCH ORGANISATION 8. Evaluation of the scientific achievements of the organisations in the proposal field for the past five years (2011-2015). Publications of research team members in scientific journals and books refereed in SCOPUS or WoS in the RIS3 area of the proposal) over the last 5 years (2011-2015) 7 p. receives an applicant with more than 400 publications 5 p. receives an applicant with 300 to 400 publications 100 points 0 30 p. 7 16

MC.SESG.З.3.4.221015 final 3 p. receives an applicant with 200 to 300 publications 0 p. receives an applicant with less than 200 publications *The articles with more than 15 authors are excluded from the list Total number of citations of the research team in the last 5 years (2011 2015) in the RIS3 area of the proposal with excluded auto citations, according to SCOPUS or WoS 7 p. receives an applicant with above 4000 citations 5 p. receives an applicant with 2000 to 3000 citations 3 p. receives an applicant with 1000 to 2000 citations 0 p. receives an applicant with less than 1000 citations Number of Coordination positions in EU FP and Horizon 2020 projects in the respective area of research for the past five years (2011-2015) 5 p. receives an applicant with number of Coordination positions 5 or more 3 p. receives an applicant with number of Coordination positions between 3 and 4 1 p. receives an applicant with number of Coordination positions between 1 and 2 0 p. receives an applicant with number Coordination positions 0 Number of successful FP7 and Horizon 2020 projects and participations in COST actions 4 p. receives an applicant with number of participations above 10 2 p. receives an applicant with number of participations between 5 and 9 0 p. receives an applicant with number of participations less than 5 The innovation capacity of the organisation in the last five years (2011-2015) - The organization has developed above 20 joint innovation projects with businesses 7 p. - The organization has developed between 16 and 19 joint innovation projects with businesses 5 p. - The organization has developed between 11 and 15 joint innovation projects with businesses 3 p. 7 5 4 7 17

- The organization has developed between 5 and 10 joint innovation projects with businesses 1 p. - The organization has less than 5 joint innovation projects with businesses 0 p. MC.SESG.З.3.4.221015 final 9. Evaluation of the existing human research potential in the field of the project proposal 0 30 p. Number of Marie-Curie, Humboldt, Fulbright and Sciex fellowships for researchers during the last 5 years (2011 2015): 7 p. number of fellows above 7 6 p. number of fellows 6 to 7 4 p. number of fellows from 4 to 5 2 p. number of fellows from 1 to 3 0 p. number of fellows 0 Number of international awards (doctor honoris causa by foreign universities, awards by international organizations) and national awards (Pythagoras, awards of Union of Scientists) for scientific achievements during the last 5 years (2011 2015) 7 p. number of awards above 7 6 p. number of awards 6 to 7 4 p. number of awards 4 to 5 2 p. number of awards 1 to 3 0 p. number of awards 0 Number of current doctoral students 6 p. 6 p. receives an applicant with number of doctoral and post-doctoral students above 30 4 p. receives an applicant with number of doctoral and post-doctoral students from 20 to 30 2 p. receives an applicant with number of doctoral and post-doctoral students from 10 to 20 0 p. receives an applicant with number of doctoral and post-doctoral students below 10 7 7 6 18

Training and participation of students in international and/or European education schemes (Erasmus and bilateral agreements) 3 p. receives an applicant with number of trained students above 60 2 p. receives an applicant with number of trained students from 40 to 60 1 p. receives an applicant with number of trained students from 20 to 40 0 p. receives an applicant with number of trained students below 20 Number of researchers with background in the application sphere 7 p. receives an applicant with number of researchers with background in the application sphere above 100 5 p. receives an applicant with number of researchers with background in the application sphere from 70 to 99 3 p. receives an applicant with number of researchers with background in the application sphere from 40 to 69 0 p. receives an applicant with number of researchers with background in the application sphere below 40 10. Assessment of the type of use of the available scientific equipment. 0 20 Availability of technical and engineering staff to work with the equipment, training. The scientific organization has availability of technical and engineering staff qualified to work with the equipment, and who provides training and assistance for the research staff 7 p. The scientific organization has availability of only technical staff but not engineering staff to work with the equipment and/or who provide training and assistance for the research staff 3 p. The scientific organization doesn t have availability of technical and engineering staff to work with the equipment and to provide training and assistance for the staff 0 p. MC.SESG.З.3.4.221015 final 3 7 7 19

MC.SESG.З.3.4.221015 final Conditions for access to the equipment for external research organisations and businesses, including ones from abroad. The scientific organization has in place open and transparent access policies to the equipment for external research organisations and businesses, including ones from abroad. Auditable access cost basis, usage data (access requests, reasons in the case of decision to refuse access, etc.), proper service and maintenance contracts are available 6 p. The scientific organization has partially developed access policies to the equipment for external research organisations and businesses, including ones from abroad 3 p. The scientific organization has not developed access policies and/or not provided access to the equipment for external research organisations and businesses, including ones from abroad 0 p. Capacity for connection/involvement in pan-european research infrastructures. The scientific organization is connected/involved in pan-european research infrastructures and demonstrates capacity for further connection/involvement 7 p. The scientific organization is not connected/involved in pan-european research infrastructures, however it demonstrates a capacity for additional connection/involvement 3 p. The scientific organization is not connected/involved in pan-european research infrastructures and it has not demonstrated capacity for efficient connection/involvement in such structures 0 p. 6 7 11. Evaluation of the scientific quality of the associate partners 0-20 11.1. Analysis of the research and innovation capacity of the selected associate partners (Research organizations) Publications in scientific journals and books, refereed in SCOPUS and WoS for the last 5 years (2011-2015) 3 p. Number of publications above 250 0 10 3 20

MC.SESG.З.3.4.221015 final 2 p. number of publications between 125 and 250 0 p. number of publications less than 125 % of highly cited publications for last 5 years (2011 2015) 3 p. - % of highly cited publications above 15 % 2 p. - % of highly cited publications between 10 % and 15 % 0 p. - % of highly cited publications below 10 % *Publications in top 10 % of the respective area according to ESI in WoS Number of ERC grants 2 p. number of ERC grants above 2 1 p. number of ERC grants between 1 and 2 0 p. no ERC grants Coordination positions in EU Framework Programme (FP7) projects and Horizon 2020 2 p. - Number of coordination positions above 5 1 p. - Number of coordination positions between 3 and 5 0 p. Coordination positions below 3 11.2. Analysis of the research and innovation capacity of the selected associate partners (Business organizations). Investments in relevant project area 4 p. - partner has invested in the last 5 years above 5 % of its revenue in research and development activities 2 p. - partner has invested in the last 5 years between 3 and 5 % of its revenue in research and development activities 0 p. - partner has invested in the last 5 years less than 3 % of its revenue in research and development activities 3 2 2 0 10 4 21

MC.SESG.З.3.4.221015 final Existence of an innovation strategy, including existence of intellectual property policy and rules; - The partner has developed an innovation strategy, an intellectual property policy and rules 3 p. - The partner has not developed an innovation strategy, an intellectual property policy and rules 0 p. Participation in current and/or completed innovation projects (national and European) in the last five years (2011-2015). - The partner(s) has participated in 5 or more than 5 research and/or innovation projects with public research organisations/universities 3 p. - The partner has participated in less than 5 research and/or innovation projects with public research organisations/universities 0 p. 3 3 SUM = K2 Complex assessment: KO1 = K1 0.70 + K2 0.30 Threshold value in Complex assessment = 70 points 22