What is an NCP Roles and responsibilities Sources of Information for NCPs CAAST-Net Plus is funded by the European Union s Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP7/2007-2013) under grant agreement n 0 311806. This document reflects only the author s views and the European Union cannot be held liable for any use that may be made of the information contained herein. caast-net-plus.org George Baroutas FORTH/PRAXI Network 4 th February 2017
Outlook The role of NCPs, services Sources of Information Partner search facilities NCPs systems 2
NCP system in Horizon 2020 Mission: Highly professional support services operating nationally will form an essential component of Horizon 2020 implementation. By spreading awareness, giving specialist advice, and providing on-the-ground guidance, they will ensure that the new programme becomes known and readily accessible to all potential applicants, irrespective of sector or discipline. 3
What is an NCP system A National Contact Points (NCPs) system is national structure/network established and financed by governments of the EU member states and associated countries, as well as of ICPC, to support the promotion of the EC main funding instrument for Research and Innovation 4
The NCPs NCPs form the main structure for providing guidance, practical information and assistance on all aspects of participation in H2020 NCPs give personalized support on the spot and in proposers own languages 5
National Contact Points for Horizon 2020
Guiding Principles for NCPs Guiding principles for setting up the NCPs system in H2020 have been agreed by representatives of all countries involved Described in: «Minimum standards and Guiding principles for setting up systems of National Contact Points (NCP systems) under Horizon 2020» http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/data/supp ort/20131125_ncp%20minimum%20standards.pdf 7
Key principles and minimum standards for NCPs (1) NCPs guarantee transparency and equal access to calls under Horizon 2020 Confidential information that comes into the possession of NCPs is treated accordingly NCPs must be free from conflicts of interest between their NCPs activities and the rest of their professional activities Service should be accessible by e-mail and phone during working hours, with appropriate back-up arrangements 8
Key principles and minimum standards for NCPs (2) NCP should be fully conversant with the objectives, principles and content of that programme part for which they are the nominated specialist (NCP) NCPs should be knowledgeable about all aspects of Horizon 2020, beyond their specialist area. NCPs should be ready to participate actively in transnational networks. 9
Tasks of an NCP Information & awareness raising on H2020 Assisting Advising Training Signposting 10
Informing, awareness raising Organise information and promotional activities infodays (thematic or generic on H2020) special seminars newsletters dedicated web sites (for providing info on H2020) promotional material for H2020 use of social media 11
Assisting NCPs support researchers and organisations (in particular new actors and SMEs, to increase their participation in Horizon 2020, by: Assisting participants choose the most appropriate topic Explaining the scope and the modalities of funding schemes applied in Horizon 2020 Assist in partner search activities notably by using internet based tools and thematic networks Create links with other cooperation networks, European Enterprise Network partnership services for SMES etc. choosing the proper topic. 12
Advising NCPs offer advise on administrative procedures, rules and other participation modalities such as: Role and responsibilities of participants in a consortium Rights and obligations of participants Cost handling and reporting Ethical rules and gender issues How to handle IPR Legal & Financial issues (in cooperation with L&F NCP) Management structures 13
Training Organise courses and training sessions on Horizon 2020 for researchers, intermediaries and information multipliers to ensure high quality of advice Organise workshops for specific target groups (SMEs, universities, business organisations, women in science etc) Organise training seminars on specific topics (legal aspects, modalities for participation, financial rules etc) 14
Signposting and cooperation Signpost to other business support network services related to internal market, technology transfer, IPR or regional development - (examples include EEN, EIB, Structural Funds, other thematic networks and initiatives, or other international multilateral platforms) Signpost to national funding agencies, programmes and networks 15
Sources of Information for NCPs Participant Portal NCP peers (own personal Networks) The projects of the NCP Networks and their tools!! The European Commission Project Officers 16
Participant Portal PP (1) The PP is the single gateway to funding-related interactions between applicants and the E.C. It provides information related to open or forthcoming calls for H2020 17
Participant Portal PP (2) Find H2020 & FP7 reference documents: legal documents Commission work programmes model grant agreements guides for specific actions and horizontal issues 18
NCP Networks Peer NCPs on each thematic area (NCP Networks) o NCPs in each thematic area form the NCP Network. othese NCPs receive official information and training from E.C. On a continuous basis o They can provide assistance and advise 19
The projects of the NCP Networks Receive funding from the EC as NCP Networks to improve the support offered the development of tools and the implementation of training and networking activities such as: Information days and specific trainings Twinning and staff exchange Participation in brokering activities Funding is available in some cases for NCPs in ICPC countries as well Partner search tools 20
E.C. Project Officers In each thematic priority there is one (or more) appointed E.C. project officer for the NCPs The EC Officer can assist by pointing to additional information or by clarifying unclear issues The EC Officer can liaise and introduce the NCP to the NCP Network or other relevant networks / initiatives The EC Project Officer can answer to specific queries related to their thematic priority (queries with regards to the work programme) 21
Partner Search An important pre-requisite for a promising funding application is a suitable and appropriate consortium of project applicants Project consortia must have a minimum of three partners from three Member States or Associate countries, but this is usually not enough as these are complex project and demand an amagalmation of different skill sets NCPs are the main channels in the search for partners 22
Electronic Partners Search Systems These are tools to assist applicants, researchers & enterprises to: Find partners to create a consortium Advertise their expertise to improve chances of participating in a consortium They are developed by the projects of the NCP Networks and are the most commonly used tools used for Partner Search 23
Partner Search Facilities - CORDIS European Commission provides a tool that includes all the participants under H2020 projects 24
NCPs in Horizon 2020 National NCP Coordinator Legal and Financial aspects SMEs Access to Finance* European Research Council 'Future and Emerging Technologies'; 'Marie Curie actions on skills, training and career development'; 'European research infrastructures; 'Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)'; 'Nanotechnologies, advanced materials and advanced manufacturing and processing'; 'Space'; 'Health, demographic change and wellbeing'; 'Food security, sustainable agriculture, marine and maritime research and the bio-economy'; & 'Biotechnology'; 'Secure, clean and efficient energy'; 'Smart, green and integrated transport'; 'Climate action, resource efficiency and raw materials'; 'Inclusive, innovative and secure societies'; Security' Joint Research Centre 25
Partner Search Facilities - Information and Communication Technologies Thematic Network of ICT: http://ideal-ist.eu/ Project idea distributed to over 85,000 international contacts in the ICT programme Unique quality labelled partner search tool to connect newcomers and experienced researchers Helps you submit EOIs to other proposer s projects 26
Partner Search Facilities - Nanotechnologies, advanced materials and advanced manufacturing and processing Thematic Network of NMP: www.nmpteam.com An on-line database where labs and companies can post their Partner Search / Offer; 1 300 registered users from 61 countries 325 partner offers 46 partner requests Validated by NCPs (each NCP for their country / sub-theme) Free access to all with contact details (of NCP also) 27
Partner Search Facilities - Space Thematic Network of Space: www.b2match.eu/h2020spacetour An on-line database that contains All the brokerage events for the sector Infodays Cooperation profiles 28
Partner Search Facilities - Health, demographic change and wellbeing Thematic Network of Health: http://www.fitforhealth.eu/ Searching for a cooperation profile (field of expertise or project idea) Submitting a cooperation profile 29
Partner Search Facilities - Secure, clean and efficient energy Thematic Network of Energy: http://www.c-energyplus.eu/ 30
Partner Search Facilities - Smart, green and integrated transport Thematic Network of Transport: transport.ideal-ist.eu/ Searching for a cooperation profile Submitting a cooperation profile 31
Partner Search Facilities - Europe in a changing world inclusive, innovative and reflective societies Thematic Network of Socio-economic Sciences and Humanities: http://www.net4society.eu/ Information News Events Partner search tool Submitting a cooperation profile Detailed profile with short description of the proposal for specific call 32
Partner Search Facilities - Climate action, environment, resource efficiency and raw materials Thematic Network of Environment Partner search tool: https://www.nks-umwelt.de/partneringtool Cooperation profile catalogue created by the NCP network: http://www.irc.ee/envncp/ 33
Partner Search Facilities - Secure societies - protecting freedom and security of Europe and its citizens Thematic Network of Security: http://www.security-research-map.eu/ Searching for a cooperation profile or project idea Submitting a cooperation profile 34
Partner Search Facilities - Food security, sustainable agriculture, forestry and bio-economy Thematic Network of Food Currently being set-up / available soon at www.ncp-biohorizon.net 35
!BACK! to the operation of the NCP System Each Member State / Associated Countries and ICPC country are responsible for the selection of the hosting organisation(s) for their own NCP system In order to ensure the coherence and overall operational consistency, a co-ordination mechanism should be put in place This mechanism should be a light, non-bureaucratic, easy to co-ordinate and cost efficient 36
NCPs a system with flexibility and diversity The NCP systems in the different countries show A wide variety of architectures, from highly centralised (All NCPs are affiliated to one organization) to decentralised networks (Scattered thematic NCPs) A number of very different actors, from ministries to universities, RTOs and special agencies to private consulting companies flexibility to each country to establish a tailormade NCP structure 37
NCPs in 3rd Countries in Horizon 2020 Each country can adopt any structure to facilitate the dissemination of information about Horizon 2020 This national structure is not necessary to be communicated to the EC, but there is no harm in doing so Matching the European NCP structures betters your chances for enhanced service provision (getting the right information to the right people on time) as these are models that have been tested for quite some time no YOU SHOULD INVEST IN IT!!! 38
Tips Lessons learnt Be careful who you appoint / Be careful who you send to the Commission Make sure the NCP is fully aware of what is expected its real support through service provision Dedicate resources to making noise promote country capabilities/strengths Networking with EU and continental counterparts matters 39
Search for your NCP The contact details of your national H2020 National Contact Point or those of your potential partner's country are available on the Participant Portal. http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/portal/desktop/en/ support/national_contact_points.html 40
How to create an NCP system The Ministry that would like to host the NCP should write a formal letter of appointment The formal letter should be sent through the Ministry of Foreign Afairs of the interested country to the European Commission Delegation of your Country, or if there is no Delegation, directly to the European Commission Directorate-General for Research and Innovation European Commission, ORBN 2/65 B-1049 Brussels - Belgium 41
Thank you caast-net-plus.org CAAST-Net Plus Building bi-regional partnerships for global challenges CAAST-Net Plus is funded by the European Union s Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP7/2007-2013) under grant agreement n 0 311806. This document reflects only the author s views and the European Union cannot be held liable for any use that may be made of the information contained herein. Constantine Vaitsas FORTH/PRAXI Network 29 May 2015