Getting Involved in Horizon 2020 Dr Alex Berry, European Advisor 15 December 2015, Royal Holloway alexandra.berry@bbsrc.ac.uk
Agenda UKRO Horizon 2020 an overview H2020 the basics of participation H2020 getting involved
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Horizon 2020 An Overview
Horizon 2020 overview The EU's funding programme for research and innovation Runs for seven years from 2014 2020 Almost 80 billion of funding Structured around three pillars including a wide range of different funding schemes Covering the entire cycle from research to innovation from basic research to bringing ideas to the market Focus on societal challenges EU society is facing (e.g. health, clean energy, food security, integrated transport) Opportunities for individual researchers and groups of researchers, including individual grants, funding for European collaborative research, mobility, close to market activities
Horizon 2020 Structure Excellent Science Industrial Leadership Societal Challenges European Research Council (ERC) Future and Emerging Technologies (FET) Marie Skłodowska- Curie Actions (MSCA) Research Infrastructures Leadership in Enabling and Industrial Technologies (LEIT) - ICT, NMBP, Space Access to Risk Finance Innovation in SMEs Health and Wellbeing Food security Transport Energy Climate action Societies Security Widening Participation; Science with and for Society, Mainstreaming of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) and ICT, Fast Track to Innovation European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) EURATOM Joint Research Centre (JRC)
A Work Programme? Two-year programmes setting out Horizon 2020 funding opportunities they explain what is funded (topics, grant schemes) and the expected policy impact Developed by the European Commission Consultation happens via advisory boards, Member State Programme Committee Calls for proposals give details on the timeline (deadline, evaluation, results) and the eligibility criteria http://ec.europa.eu/research/partici pants/portal/desktop/en/funding/ref erence_docs.html#h2020-workprogrammes
Horizon 2020 The Basics of Participation
Participant Portal http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/portal/desktop/en/home.html
H2020 is it for me? Variety of instruments available (individual grants, funding for collaboration, prizes ) What is the scale of funding required? What form of funding do you need? Does your project idea have European Added Value (required in most cases)?
H2020- What are you looking for? Money to do your own thing? Bottom up opportunities: ERC, FET open (with collaborators), MSCA (ITNs, IFs) Chance to get involved? Become a partner on a collaborative project Chance to lead a big project? Coordinate a collaborative project Chance to collaborate with industry to see an innovative idea take off? Partner/coordinator of a collaborative project particularly at the market readiness end of the continuum Capacity building opportunity? MSCA (ITNs, IFs) Knowledge exchange? MSCA (RISE, ITNs), collaborative projects (innovation actions) Scope potential collaboration opportunities for the future? COST www.cost.eu Mobility? MSCA (IF, RISE)
Who is eligible? All 28 EU Member States (MS) Overseas Countries and Territories linked to the MS Anguilla, Aruba, Bermuda, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Curaçao, Falkland Islands, French Polynesia, Greenland, Montserrat, New Caledonia, Pitcairn Islands, Saba, Saint Barthélémy, Saint Helena, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Sint Eustatius, Sint Maarten, Turks and Caicos Islands, Wallis and Futuna Associated Countries: Norway, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Turkey, Israel, Moldova, Switzerland (partial association Pillar 1 + SEWP + Euratom), Faroe Islands + Tunisia and Ukraine pending approval) Third countries (whether they can receive funding depends on GDP/list in WP) BRIC no longer automatically eligible for funding
H2020 - Types of Action Research and innovation actions (RIA)/ Innovation actions (IA) Coordination and support actions (CSA) SME instrument ERA-NET Cofund actions European Joint Programme (EJP) Cofund actions Pre-Contractual Procurement (PCP) actions Public Procurement of Innovative Solutions (PPI) actions Prizes Traditional multi-national, multi-partner collaborative projects Actions consisting primarily of accompanying measures, e.g. standardisation, dissemination, networking SMEs only research can be subcontracted to HEIs Programmes run by network of national funders in specific field, part-funded by the EU from Horizon 2020. Issue calls for proposals in their own funding regimes. Action designed to support coordinated national research and innovation programmes Public sector buys R&D to steer development of its solutions to its needs Public sectors acts as launching customer/early adopter/first buyer for innovative products and services All or nothing specific competitive calls content varies plus ERC frontier research actions and training and mobility actions
H2020 - Funding Basic model for research projects 100% eligible direct costs + Flat rate of 25% of total eligible direct costs, not including subcontracting, for indirect costs (overheads) Basic model for innovation projects 70% eligible direct costs + Flat rate of 25% of total eligible direct costs, not including subcontracting, for indirect costs (overheads) For non-profit legal entities involved in innovation projects: 100% direct costs Same model applies for ERC and for Coordination and Support projects Some calls different e.g. inducement prizes Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions unit costs
Process Apply through Research and Innovation Participant Portal Relevant templates will be provided under the Submission Service for each topic, inc. structure, page limits, etc. Will need to create ECAS account (through register button at top of Participant Portal home page Coordinator initiates process, gives partners access Deadlines are absolute Can submit unlimited no. of times up until the call deadline
Two-stage calls First stage: short form template; evaluates excellence criteria & relevance to topic impacts Can be short-turn around between first-stage results & second stage deadlines No substantial changes should be made at second stage, i.e. Conceptual basis / methodology changed Objectives significantly altered, particularly w.r.t. state of the art Expected impact no longer same as at Stage 1 Changes to budget / partnership not considered substantive changes on their own
Horizon 2020 Getting involved
Considering Topics within their Work Programme Read the topic in the context of the work programme Overarching introduction to H2020 WP Specific WP chapter introduction What are the relevant EU strategies and policies? Is there any cross over with other areas of Horizon 2020? E.g. Digital Security relevant to SC7, SC1, LEIT ICT Useful summary of Horizon 2020 areas in UKRO factsheets: https://www.ukro.ac.uk/subscriber/pages/factsheets.aspx
Interpreting the Topic Structure reflects challenge-based approach: Specific challenge: sets context, the problem to be address, why intervention is necessary Scope: delineates the problem, specifies the focus and the boundaries of the potential action, but without being overly prescriptive Expected impact: describes the key elements of what is expected to be achieved in relation to the specific challenge Evaluation (and therefore success) reflects this structure Example topic: Societal Challenge 2 (Food Security) - SFS-16-2017: Bee health and sustainable pollination Contact National Contact Points for advice
Questions to Think About What is the nature of the challenge posed by the topic? Are there any specific requirements in terms of: Particular stakeholder types Should project be industry-led? Is there an international (beyond Europe) component? Is the use of a specific data source mentioned? Any particular gender or RRI aspects? Does it specifically ask for SSH involvement? Does your proposal satisfy the impact requirement in the topic? What is the funding vehicle? TRL specified? What is the suggested budget window and what does it imply about consortium size / project duration?
Beneficiaries Participation in LEIT and Societal Challenges Participation options Coordinator = responsible for leading the project, managing the project finances and representing the Consortium vis-à-vis the Commission Partner = responsible for delivering its part of the project and managing its share of the funding Third parties: Sub-contractor = contracted by one of the beneficiaries to carry out specialised tasks that are not core project tasks Other third party = making available its resources to a beneficiary or in very specific cases carrying out parts of the work on behalf of a beneficiary
Co-ordinator or Partner? Co-ordinator Prepares and submits proposal Links with the Commission (is the only point of contact for the Commission) and the consortium members Organises scientific and project management meetings Maintains the Consortium agreement Administers EU financing, makes payments to partners Needs to keep record of how the financing is distributed Reviews reports to the Commission Monitors compliance of partners with grant agreement Responsible for management of grant amendments, extensions, non-performance of partners None of these tasks can be subcontracted! Partner Works on their work package(s) Submits reports to co-ordinator
Forming a Consortium? Think carefully if you have no management experience and no experience of EC funding (Small role in a project led by someone with prior experience may be the best first step) Project usually co-ordinated by Member or Associated State partner
What Should My Consortium Look Like? Normally - at least 3 legal entities from 3 different EU member states or Horizon 2020 Associated Countries Additional legal entities depending on project Strong emphasis on Innovation in Horizon 2020 where appropriate include non-academic sector partners e.g. SMEs Mention of international collaboration with e.g. BRIC doesn t guarantee funding Consider: Who you have worked well with before What your expectations are Budget, IPR, management issues as early as possible
Invited to Join a Consortium? Can be the easiest way to get involved BUT be sure that it is right for you What do you know about the consortium and its members? Do you know who is Co-ordinating it? Is the project appropriate for you? Are you happy with your proposed role? Are you happy with your proposed funding? Have you checked this with your organisation it is the organisation that will be the partner, not you The consortium can change up until the contract is signed (if successful)
Looking to Join a Consortium? Be focused and know what you want to do Find out who the key researchers are Take up all opportunities for contact Raise your profile Consider what your unique selling point is Attend EC Information days good networking opportunity Use networks and JPIs, ETPs etc to advertise your availability
How to Find Partners Existing contacts normally most suitable/effective FP7 Projects: http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/projects_en.html EU conferences (including events on the calls) and project evaluation European Enterprise Network European Technology Platforms: http://cordis.europa.eu/technology-platforms Commission websites including Participant Portal Partner searches: - NCPs - CORDIS - Enterprise Europe Network - Social Media? (Linked-in etc)
Meeting with Partners to Discuss Proposal Idea Can be invaluable to meet in person to talk through ideas with potential collaborators - use UKRO meeting room? Is there any resource to meet: From your institution From other sources of funding, e.g. BBSRC European Partnering Awards European Partnering awards are small awards for BBSRC grant holders covering travel and subsistence to meet with the aim of developing and submitting Horizon 2020 bids http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/funding/internationalfunding/europe.aspx
Becoming an Evaluator Sign-up as an expert Commission maintains a database of independent experts Need high level expertise in research or innovation in any scientific and technological field, including managerial aspects and industry expertise Have at least a university degree Have to be available for occasional, short-term assignments List of Horizon 2020 expert evaluators