New opportunities of regional /multilateral RTD cooperation The Southeast European (SEE) ERA-NET project YUINFO, Research and Education Networking in South East Europe, 14-3-2007 Dr. Nikos Sidiropoulos, WP5 leader, General Secretariat For Research and Technology, Ministry of Development in Greece
Coordination of national Programmes ERA-NET Nature shows us the way: Birds coordinating their efforts 71 % gain of efficiency 2
The Southeast European Era-Net consortium (I) Ministry of Education and Science in Albania Ministry for Education, Science and Culture in Austria Centre for Social Innovation in Austria, SEE-ERA.NET Co-ordinator Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bosnia and Herzegovina Ministry for Education and Science in Bulgaria Ministry of Science, Education and Sports in Croatia Ministry of Foreign Affairs in France Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique in France Ministry of Education and Science in Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 3
The Southeast European Era-Net consortium (II) Federal Ministry of Education and Research in Germany International Bureau of the Ministry of Education and Research in Germany Ministry of Development, General Secretariat for Research & Technology in Greece National Office of Research and Technology in Hungary Ministry of Education and Science in Montenegro Ministry of Education and Research in Romania Ministry for Science and Environmental Protection in Serbia Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology in Slovenia 4
1. The SEE-ERA.NET starting point: Austria Hungary Germany Greece France Bulgaria Slovenia Romania Croatia BiH Albania FYRo Macedonia Serbia Montenegro 14 countries 14 ministries & 3 funding agencies more than 70 inter-governmental agreements several thousands of institutional contacts Target Countries 1.400 projects funded (2002-2004, bilateral programmes) Aktive Programmes Planned Programmes 5
2. SEE-ERA.NET Transparency, Interactivity, Synergy Objectives of SEE-ERA.NET: integrating Southeast Europe into the European Research Area adding value to existing bilateral S&T agreements improving interregional research cooperation contributing to the EU-Balkan countries Action Plan in S&T, adopted at EU Ministerial Conference in Thessaloniki in 2003. These objectives will be met through: exchange of information and best practice on bilateral RTD activities needs analyses in the target countries support of policy dialogue and awareness raising in the EU identification of complementary approaches opening the existing nationally funded (bilateral) programmes: 6
3. SEE-ERA.NET Structure in Work Packages 1, 2 and 3 - Exchange of information, reports and analyses WP 1 provides analyses of the strengths and weaknesses of bilateral programmes targeting SEE National Office of Research and Technology in Hungary Ministry of Science, Education and Sports in Croatia WP 3 provides reports on bilateral activities at project level. A comprehensive project database has been developed. Ministry for Education and Science in Bulgaria WP 2 provides analyses of national research systems in SEE, including needs analyses. Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology in Slovenia 7
3. SEE-ERA.NET Structure in Work Packages 4, 5 and 6: Strategies and joint initiatives WP 4 defines strategic initiatives for joint future action (White Paper and Action Plan). International Bureau of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research in Germany WP 6 will explore variable geometry and work towards the establishment of a regional RTD programme. Ministry of Education and Research in Romania WP 5 s main objective is the launch of the first joint activity (multilateral Pilot Call) and the set-up of an evaluator s database. Ministry of Development: General Secretariat for Research and Technology in Greece 8
3. SEE-ERA.NET Structure in Work Packages 7 and 8: Communication, dissemination and project management WP 7 ensures active internal and external communication, dissemination, knowledge management and public relations throughout the project. Centre for Social Innovation in Austria WP 8 is dedicated to the overall project management, monitoring, coordination and financial control, whilst also maintaining the links to the European Commission. Centre for Social Innovation in Austria 9
4. Examples of Joint SEE-ERA.NET activities A comparative summary report (incl. SWOT-analysis and short explanation of the national research system) about the structures and procedures of existing bilateral RTD programmes targeting Southeast Europe Report on the national systems of research of all West Balkan Countries (incl. analysis of research priorities and programmatic activities) and a mapping of their main RTD stakeholders (mapping) Report on the specific RTD co-operation needs of the West Balkan Countries SEE-ERA.NET Project Database: Set of data on projects funded under bilateral RTD programmes in a common data-base and analytical assessment of these funded projects (incl. clustering) 10
4. Examples of Joint SEE-ERA.NET activities Opening the existing nationally funded (bilateral) programmes SEE-ERA.NET Joint Call (pilot phase) 2006/2007 Launching of the Call: November 30, 2006 Deadline for proposals: March 31, 2007 All the 14 countries have confirmed their participation with national financial contributions 11
The Pilot Joint Call is a joint call for research project proposals; aims at fostering the multilateral programme approach by supporting R&D projects and fulfilling general SEE-ERA.NET aims; builds on ongoing bilateral programmes and goes along with a number of preparatory and accompanying activities aiming at strengthening the integration of the WBC into the European Research Area (ERA); is considered a test for the second Joint Call foreseen in 2008/2009; focuses on pilot (short term) R&D projects and feasibility studies. 12
The concept of the Pilot Joint Call (PJC) is based on three elements: Preparatory Measures to be implemented in 2006/2007 the Pilot Joint Call (PJC) to be implemented in 2006/2007, going along with Accompanying Measures to be implemented in 2007. Preparatory measures Pilot Joint Call Accompanying measures Second Joint Call 2006 2007 2008 13
Preparatory Measures (in 2006-2007): precursory measures towards the PJC in 2006/2007 and the second Joint Call in 2007/2008. Instruments: Top down procedure: SEE-ERA.NET Steering Board suggests and decides on the projects. awareness raising: giving R&D an appropriate place in the national strategies of the WBC and in the activities of relevant international organisations; information dissemination / training: e.g. road show for the promotion of the planned Pilot Joint Call, training of science managers in the WBC; thematic workshops according to the thematic priorities of the Pilot Joint Call policy development/policy co-ordination (workshops of policy makers and decision makers, internships of WBC science managers in ministries or agencies of partner countries) 14
Preparatory measures towards the Pilot Joint Call SEE-ERA-NET information days in most of the participating countries SEE-ERA.NET NCPs training workshop in Greece, November 23-24, 2006 3 brokerage events (thematic conferences for researchers), in Ohrid, FYROM, 4-7, Feb 2007, Food, Agriculture and Biotechnology Belgrade, Serbia, 12-14, Feb 2007, Information and Communication Technologies Przno, Montenegro, 5-8, Feb 2007, Environmental Technologies 15
Pilot Joint Call (implemented in 2007/08) Bottom up procedure: The RTD entities are invited to submit proposals. The Joint Call (pilot phase) 2006/2007 is the best example of Joint SEE-ERA.NET activities SEE-ERA.NET partner countries provide national funding for multinational research teams through the Joint Call for Proposals. All the 14 countries have confirmed their participation with national financial contributions 16
Main Characteristics of the Pilot Joint Call The design of the call was based on research on the priorities and needs of the Western Balkan countries with a view to their better integration into the European Research Area The INTAS electronic web based tool (Call Managment System) supports the central administration Set-up of the SEE-ERA-NET evaluator s database. Joint project applications reviewing system, where the assessment procedures of the review system will be transparent, fair and dedicated to scientific excellence Joint funding strategy: including a joint virtual and a real common pot. Funding mechanisms are open to donations from other stakeholders in the West Balkan countries. Mix of bottom up and top down procedures Pilot Joint Call s external monitoring and evaluation from independent expert 17
Administration of the budget The implementation (co-funding) of the Pilot Joint Call will be realised by a virtual common pot (VCP). Because of legal restrictions in some of the SEE-ERA.NET partner countries, the budget of the VCP will be administered decentralised by each co-funding partner itself, but based upon a standard procedure of joint decision process to be agreed upon by the participating SEE-ERA.NET cofunding bodies. This decentralised VCP would have to respect the principle of juste retour, i.e. national contributions would only be made according to the actual national participation (national financing would only be assigned to research teams of the respective country) 80% of the total national contribution to the overall pilot activity would be allocated to the VCP of the PJC. 18
Accompanying measures Top down procedure: SEE-ERA.NET Instruments Steering Board suggests and decides on the projects. information dissemination on the PJC (Internet, specific events, WP 7); information dissemination on ongoing multilateral projects (i.e. FP 6-projects) to foster docking of institutions from WBC (WP 5, WP 7 activities); awareness raising (f. e. in participating SEE-ERA.NET countries and related thematic ERA-Nets), by all partners; summer schools/training camps in a specific scientific field (training of scientists and at the same time possibility for partnering); should be held in a WBC and be open to participants of all countries participating in the PJC (remark: bottom-up-approach ) brokerage events (partnering of scientists of different partner countries for future networks and research projects - FP 7 projects or future SEE-ERA.NET projects); science management training (EU rules and regulations, etc.); supported by the EC-Joint Research Centre; status seminars of the supported networks, pilot projects etc. and thematic workshops to foster wider networking. 19
Accompanying measures The top-down accompanying measures should deal with horizontal issues of the co-operation with the WBCs, should be supported by all members of the Subcommittee and should be open to participation of institutions from all countries participating in the PJC. Examples for potential accompanying measures could be: Management training for science administrators from the Western Balkan countries International conference on evaluation and benchmarking A workshop dealing with integration of SMEs into the SEE-ERA.NET Joint Calls A workshop dealing with practical aspects of the DIASPORA issue Deadline for the accompanying measures proposals March 31, 2007 20
Administration of the budget Different model: real common pot (RCP), to which every involved partner country/agency contributes financially regardless of the nationality of the future funded project teams. 20% of the national contributions would be dedicated to such a RCP for the funding of accompanying measures with no regard to the juste retour principle since these activities are in the interest of all participating SEE-ERA.NET partners. Furthermore, if possible, contributions of additional partners and international organisations (such as the JRC and foundations) could be used for accompanying measures. 21
The PJC Overview s Structure What kind of projects will be funded? Who is funded? What does the funding cover? How to submit applications Decision-making procedure Roadmap Further information and counselling 22
What kind of projects will be funded? Research projects: conducted by a project consortium with at least three participants from three different countries (at least one from a Western Balkan country) Network projects: conducted by at least five partners from three different countries (two from Western Balkan countries) Summer Schools: conducted by a project consortium with at least three participants from three different countries (at least one from a Western Balkan country) In which Thematic Areas Within the area of Food, Agriculture and Biotechnology the sub area Sustainable production and management of biological resources from land, forest and aquatic environments Within the area of Information and Communication Technologies the sub area Applications Research Within the area of Environment the sub area Environmental Technologies 23
Who is funded? Applications for project funding may be submitted by legal RTD entities eligible according to the national regulations of the participating countries This funding scheme targets at institutional collaboration: private persons may not apply The overall budget of this call is 830.000 Euros 24
What does the funding cover? The National Funding Bodies will promote the projects by providing non-repayable grants. Expenditures have to be actual, economic and necessary Indicative budget per project will be 20.000 euros for a period of maximum 9 months Mainly expenses for mobility of researchers will be covered 1). In addition expenditure for the following types are eligible for grants: staff for the implementation of events and investigations of feasibility Cost of events and meetings, e.g. rental of venue, logistics Physical resources, e.g. consumables, printing costs, small equipment, etc. 1) Except Romania only covering mobility expenditures. 25
How to submit applications As the application will be completely based on electronic submission, please see the following website for a detailed description of the application process and the necessary forms: http://www.see-era.net/pjc Applications should describe in as much detail as possible the objectives and the measures of the intended project. Deadline for proposals: March 31, 2007 26
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Decision-making procedure (I) Assessment of proposals will be carried out as an international peer review process. The final approval of a project will be made by a committee representing Ministries and/or agencies from all participating SEE- ERA.NET members. 30
Decision-making procedure (II) Applications assessment criteria: Scientific quality of the work plan (relevance, originality). A special weight will be applied to this criterion. Innovative potential of the expected project results or networking or docking activities for future utilisation or co-operation International competitiveness of participating research groups in the field(s) of the proposal Feasibility of the project (appropriateness of the methodology, budget and timetable) Level of collaborative interaction between the groups and added value of the consortium Training aspects, if applicable Involvement of young scientists Sustainability 31
Decision-making procedure (III) Additional points will be granted in the cases that the project supports : Regional co-operation among the West Balkan Countries Southeast European capacity building Brain Gain and re-integration measures for mobile scientists from the Western Balkan Countries 32
Roadmap 31 March 2007, deadline for the projects applications and ideas for accompanying measures. Until today 1060 registrations April-May 2007, Evaluation of proposals, 2 reviewers per application June 2007, Subcommittee s meeting for the approval of the evaluation processes. Final selection of proposals and accompanying measures September 2007, start of the selected projects May 2008, end of the selected projects 33
5. Future Joint SEE-ERA.NET activities Enlargement of the SEE-ERA-NET (Cyprus, Turkey, Italy) Conference in the European Parliament in June 2007 Conference-brokerage event dedicated to the partnering of high-tech SMEs of the SE Europe and their intergation into the SEE-ERA-NET (Thessaloniki Oct. 2007) Phase 2: SEE-ERA.NET Joint Calls (main phase): Regional Programme for the Co-operation with South-East Europa (ReP-SEE) building on the experience of the PJC and widening the activities of SEE-ERA.NET targeting the Innovation triangle : (Higher) Education Research Innovation inviting additional stakeholders, such as regional partners, the European Commission 1. Joint RTD (Joint Call) 2. Accompanying Measures 3. Young Scientist Programme 4. Innovation Programme 34
6. Political strategy papers, lobbying on EU level: conference in the European Parliament in February 2005, organised by Greece, Austria and Slovenia EU Presidency conference European University Association, in February 2006 In view of the success of the SEE-ERA.NET (the European network for integration of WBC into the ERA) project in establishing a sustainable network... IX Conference of European Ministers of Education Strengthening Education in Europe, March 2006... support of the Southeast European Era-Net (Final Communiqué) J Potocnik: SEE-ERA.NET should feed into the Steering Platform for Research, June 2006 35
Summary Three years of SEE-ERA.NET SEE-ERA.NET is a European Commission s networking project for the integration of the Southeast European countries into the European Research Area SEE-ERA.NET is a network of 14 ministries and 3 agencies in 14 European countries that includes all Western Balkan countries and works directly on the level of policy makers SEE-ERA.NET provides new perspectives for scientists and already existing networks in Southeast Europe by opening up a European-wide perspective for scientific cooperation and funding 36
Summary Three years of SEE-ERA.NET SEE-ERA.NET is strategic and operational input target region of the 6 th and 7 th Framework Programme of the European Commission SEE-ERA.NET partner countries provide national funding for multinational research teams through the Joint Call for Proposals SEE-ERA.NET puts forward a reviewing system for research projects where the assessment procedures are transparent, fair and dedicated to scientific excellence SEE-ERA.NET is a long term project of 5 years duration and will develop scenarios for a sustainable cooperation beyond 2009 37
Where to get more information: All the necessary information can be found on the SEE-ERA.NET website: www.see-era.net In case of further questions please contact your SEE-ERA.NET National Contact Point 38
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION Dr Nikos Sidiropoulos Ministry of Development, General Secretariat for Research & Technology, International S & T Cooperation Directorate Bilateral Relations Division tel: +30 210 7458119 fax: +30 210 7714153 email: nsid@gsrt.gr 39