Dr. Margaretha Mazura (EMF)

ICT DayOpportunities to participate in EU ICT research projects

San José, 16 February 2010

Principles of EU Research Funding in ICT: Practical Tips

• ICT - Information and Communication Technologies - is a Theme

for research and development under the programme “Cooperation”

implementing the Seventh Framework Programme (2007-2013)

• FP7 is the main EU instrument supporting R&D

• Total budget: over € 50 billion. Most part is spent on grants to

research actors all over Europe and beyond

• Grants determined on the basis of calls for proposals and a peer

review process

1.1 ICT in FP7

Basic Information (1)

• ICT Work Programme

• The WP defines the priorities for calls for proposals

• The work programme is updated on a regular basis

• Latest version: WP 2010 (July 2009)

• Next version: in preparation; will be officially presented at the ICT 2010 conference

• WP Structure: Focus on a limited set of:

• Challenges (RTD challenges)

• Research Objectives

• Target Outcomes

Basic information (2)

• Basic principle of funding in FP7-ICT is co-financing.

• The maximum EC contribution depends on the funding scheme, the legal status of the participants and the type of activity.

• The standard reimbursement rate for R&D activities is 50% of the eligible costs :

• and up to 75% of the eligible costs for non-profit public bodies, SMEs, research organisations, higher education establishments

:

• For demonstration activities: 50% of the eligible costs.

• For other activities (consortium management, networking, training, coordination, dissemination etc.): up to 100% of the eligible costs

Basic information (3)

Call title: ICT call 6

• Call identifier: FP7-ICT-2009-6

• Date of publication: 24 November 2009

• Deadline: 13 April 2010

• Indicative budget: EUR 286 million

• Topics called:

• Challenges

• Objectives

• Funding schemes

Calls for Proposals

The European Commission funds ICT research by selecting project proposals submitted in response to a ‘Call for proposals’

Basic information (4)

Implementation of Calls

Call title: ICT call 7

To be published at the ICT 2010 conference, 27-29 September

Forecast:

New challenges, e.g Factories of the Future; PPP

???

?

What makes a proposal successful?

The proposed project

• corresponds to the priorities of the call and the priorities the Unit in question considers important

• is innovative and of high scientific quality

• has a convincing consortium: partners are competent for the activities suggested; they are a good “mix”; they have clear roles

• is well written so that evaluators from all cultural, educational and business backgrounds can understand it

Success factors (1)

Practical steps to a successful proposal

No clear description of progress beyond State-of-the-ArtMain criterion for research projects: explain HOW the project will go beyond.

“Fuzziness” of work plan description not convincing in terms of impact and excellence: to remedy, make a clear plan on WHO does WHAT WHEN WHY for WHOSE benefit?

Inconsistencies or incoherencies: A good idea at the beginning is not followed through in the work packages not convincing in terms of management.

Common pitfalls (1)

Practical steps to a successful proposal (2)

MAIN REASONS FOR FAILURE

• Incomplete or not complementary consortium or “decorative” partners

not convincing in terms of quality of consortium; clarify roles!

• Lack of exploitation opportunities description not convincing in

terms of impact and/or sustainability; give measurable indicators!

• And increasingly: Value for money!

MAIN REASONS FOR FAILURE (2)

Common pitfalls (2)

Practical steps to a successful proposal (3)

• Suitable (meets identified needs: yours and the target group’s !)

• Manageable (big enough to cover all necessary competences, small enough to being manageable)

• Appropriate (it is the most efficient way of tackling the subject and implementing the work)

• Relevant (tackles the WP’s and call’s objectives and EU policies)

• Transferable (sustainable and potentially usable by other target groups)

Tips and tricks (1)

Practical steps to a successful proposal (4)

MAKE YOUR PROPOSAL SMART:

Step 1: Check what the Commission REALLY wants

Check if this REALLY falls into your and the partners’ competences

Step 2: Read the guidelines for proposers, but almost more important

Read the guidelines for evaluators!

Step 3: Write! Use the “3 C”: clear, concise, consistent

Step 4: Ask outsiders to read the project and comment!

Ask colleagues not involved to “evaluate” it!

Tips and tricks (2)

Practical steps to a successful proposal (5)

HOW TO INCREASE THE CHANCE FOR SUCCESS:

Thank You

Margaretha MazuraSecretary gerneal, EMFE-mail: mm@emfs.eu

www.pro-ideal.eu Training modules: www.pro-ideal.eu/training