What is a proposal? Proposal preparation and submission Dr. Corina ABRAHAM-BARNA Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions National Contact Point
Ice-breaker: Constellation exercise 3 aspects to consider: - Organisation type, e.g. universities, SME, industries, research center, association, etc. (cluster formation) - Motivation for participation (quantify your amount of motivation by selecting one of 4 corners) - H2020 Experience How many proposal have you prepared? (line-up with your colleagues according to the number of proposals from 0 to x)
It s not sufficient to have a good idea But it is important to organize the proposal preparation in an excellent way
We will talk about: 1.Topic identification: decoding a call 2.Designing and structuring 3.Consortium building 4.Proposal drafting
1. Topic identification: decoding a call
Look for suitable calls in the Participant Portal Horizon 2020
H2020 Funding Opportunities Open, Closed, Forthcoming Calls for Proposals
Call search Identify your call
Advanced Search for Topics Filter International Cooperation
Identify your topic!
Select the right topic Search not only on your specific domain You can find opportunities in different pillars of Horizon 2020
Topic description Topic conditions and documents
The idea behind this: Lisbon treaty, EU Strategy 2020 Legal basis texts Horizon 2020 Work programme Topics 2016-2017 Arbeitsprogramme Calls 7 years run-time Generally bi-annual Generally annual calls Spezifisches Programm, Rahmenprogramm Horizont Topics 2020 Projects Generally 24-60 months
12 facts you need to know about Horizon 2020 proposal preparation I 1. An overview of scheduled calls can be found in the respective work programme & on the Funding Opportunities site of the Participant Portal 2. Proposal submission always in response to calls for proposals only 3. Typically calls open on an annual basis 4. There is no one single date of all calls opening
12 facts you need to know about Horizon 2020 proposal preparation II 5. A call is at least open for 3 months (full proposal) 6. The majority of the calls for proposals are top down: topic descriptions describe very detailed what the planned project has to pursue 7. The structure of a proposal is fixed through a template 8. The proposal always consists of a part A and part B
12 facts you need to know about Horizon 2020 proposal preparation III 9. Proposal structure of Part B is oriented towards the evaluation criteria 10. One-stage or two-stage proposal submission (depends on the area) 11. Online proposal submission only 12. Time to grant in general max. 8 months, thereof max. 5 month for evaluation
The Work Programme
What information do thematic work programmes provide you with? Introduction Overview of the scheduled call(s) Description of the topics Call Key data Opening date, deadline indicative budget per Topic/Call one-stage/two-stage procedure indicative date for evaluation outcome & grant signing Budget
Decoding a call text: Once you have found your topic Topic Identifier Specific challenge Scope Example: SFS-39-2017: How to tackle the childhood obesity epidemic? Specific challenge: Childhood obesity is one of the most serious public health challenges of the 21st century and its prevalence has increased at an alarming rate in the last decades. The main problem is that overweight and obese children are likely to remain obese in adulthood and more likely to develop noncommunicable diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular diseases at a younger age. An integrated EU approach to help reduce the impact on health of poor nutrition, excess weight and obesity is a political objective. A wide range of factors interacting at various levels are known to be associated with obesity. Overweight and obesity, as well as their related diseases, are largely preventable. Starting from an early age, diet and lifestyle have a strong impact on health throughout life. Therefore, the prevention of childhood obesity needs to be given a high priority. [ ] Scope: Within the context of improving the health of citizens and promoting sustainable economic growth, the main objective is to reduce childhood obesity and its comorbidities effectively.
Decoding a call text: Once you have found your topic Indicative budget Expected Impact Type of action Proposals should focus primarily on specific target groups in the young (e.g., during pregnancy and foetal development, in infants, toddlers, most vulnerable groups in children, adolescents). To better understand the complex interactions between the factors influencing obesity in individuals and populations, it is necessary to combine the approaches and expertise from different disciplines. [ ] The Commission considers that proposals requesting a contribution from the EU of up to EUR 10 million would allow this specific challenge to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude the submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts. Expected impact: In the effort to tackle the childhood obesity epidemic, proposals should show how some, or all, of the following impacts will be achieved: Provide an understanding of which factors are involved and how they influence the childhood obesity epidemic. Provide innovative, efficient, effective, scientific evidence-based and ready-to-use tools, strategies and/or programmes to improve sustainable and healthy dietary behaviour and lifestyles in children. [ ] Type of action: Research and innovation action
2. Designing and structuring
Produce a first outline of your idea > Write preliminary 2-3 pages about your: > objectives > target group > major steps (work packages) > intended consortium (countries, types of organisations) > Internal reality check: Use it as a first base to discuss with potential partners > External reality check: Consult with market actors check their understanding and interest. Profit from their feedback to decide whether to take your idea forward
How to write a convincing abstract Title/ACRONYM Objective The aim of the proposal is to The key research ques5on/challenge is to Background/ short description Conformity with the call and work programme. Why bother? What problem are you trying to solve? Is it a European priority? Could it be solved at Na5onal level? Is the solu5on already available? Why now? What would happen if we did not do this now? Why you? Are you the best people to do this work? Results/impact Expected results - what will come out of the project? Who will use the results? Why do the people interested in the results should use the results? How are you planning the transfer of results? What will be changed? Post project situa5on
3. Consortium building
Design and invite your consortium Be selective make an appealing choice! Stay consistent keep to your objective & target group Do not cover the EU map artificially make a fitting choice Explore alternatives early, but be ready to change plan change/renounce a country if you do not secure THE right partner Keep your partners motivated - agree on a working method for the proposal phase, make a plan for their contributions Remember not a team with different stars, but a stellar team.
As you know In EU-collaborative funded projects, you need at least three organizations from different EU Member States or Associated countries, after this minimum number you can involve Third Countries But Keep in mind that it s not just a matter of quantity but of also of QUALITY!
Type of participation Coordinator Grant agreement Beneficiaries Partner organisations Third parties
Type of participation Beneficiar ies Beneficiaries Coor dinat or Coordinator Partn ers Partner organisations Third parties Third parties
The coordinator The Coordinator is the only contact point between the Commission and the Consortium The Coordinator is the one who signs the GA with the Commission NET4SOCIETY 27 th -28 th of January 2010
The coordinator The Coordinator can (in different forms and extents) centralize the general responsibilities however pay attention to: Presentation of reports and deliverables to the Commission; Management, minutes and appointment of the chairman for the General Assembly and th Executive Committee, follow-up of their decisions. Transmission of all documents and information related to the project to and between wp leaders and other beneficiaries Holding pre-financing and transfer of the contribution to the beneficiaries. NET4SOCIETY 27 th -28 th of January 2010
The Beneficiary Role of the beneficiary Performing work, monitoring, respond to consortium requests Identify the responsible person for the project Give all necessary information Participate to project meetings Ensure that its own representative can take decisions and vote Avoid and/or communicate other committments Agree with the ethical principles Promote equal opportunities NET4SOCIETY 27 th -28 th of January 2010
Third Parties Horizon 2020 distinguishes 4 basic types of thirdparty support: 1) the purchase of goods and services 2) subcontracts 3) work performed by linked third parties 4) other third-party contributions
4. Proposal drafting
Before you start key documents > Work Programme: background, topics and budgets > General annexes to the general Work Programme: list of countries, eligibility and admissibility conditions, evaluation criteria and procedure, scoring and thresholds, etc. > Submission forms and templates: essential forms and guides to draw up and submit your proposal > Guide to the submission and evaluation process Participant Portal
Structuring the proposal Part B
Thank you! #InvestEUresearch www.ec.europa.eu/research Participant Portal: http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/portal Contact: Communication@ServiceFacility.eu