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Managing a European Project Elaine Groom & Patricia McCrory QUESTOR Centre, Queens University of Belfast

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Contents Very brief introduction to QUESTOR and our European Project experience What does winning an EU grant mean to you? Basic tips Managing everyones expectations Communications a key issue Some examples of issues from current projects

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QUESTOR Brief History Industry/University Co-operative Research Centre Founded in 1989, based on a successful US model Sustained industry membership partnered with academic research expertise in ten partner institutions: QUB, AFBI and others in UK, DCU and DkIT in Ireland, Germany, USA, Canada and now China QUESTOR leverages over 1.8M per year for research driven by the needs of member companies and organisations Funding: local, national and (increasingly) European sources

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An International Network of Partners and Members

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Applications for European Funding at May 2011 (need to update) Research for SMEs (CRAFT); IP; STREP; CA; Asia-Pro-Eco; Europe Aid; RoK; IEE; Marie Curie ITN & IAPP

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Shifting Your Perspectives Your success is. A grant to carry out your research or develop your product? A contract to deliver a defined piece of research or a prototype to the EU? Who are you.? The Scientific Coordinator The Project Manager Busy running a small company Begin with the right end in mind

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Planning for Success Build relationships Deadlines what, who, how, when Use templates where possible Collecting information specification of need Reporting Preparation of deliverable reports Project management software e.g. EMDESK What sort of a Coordinator will you be?

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Milestones, Deliverables and Deadlines Establish good rapport with your Project Officer and with NCPs Flag up possible issues early and discuss options for variation if needed Make sure your projects meets deadlines before the deadline Manage quality but dont be a perfectionist

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Managing Expectations Pilot plant (200,000)Pilot plant (20,000) Belgian Partner Investment 2.5M

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Key issue: communication Who, what, when, how, how often? Beware Email overload: Establish rules: For your information Immediate Action Required Please respond by Please file for future reference

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Managing Partner Diversity

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FP7 Marie Curie Initial Training Network Academic Partners: QUB, DCU, UDE, IWW, CRA (14 PhDs & 2 Post Docs) Industrial Partners: NI Water, TE Laboratories Ltd & QUESTOR Members Funding: 3.5M Dates: 1 st Dec. 2009 to 30 th Nov. 2013 www.atwarm.com Advanced Technologies for Water Resource Management Hosts: 7 Partners from QUESTOR Network

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ATBEST - Advanced Technologies for Biogas Efficiency Sustainability & Transport

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Successful outcomes depend upon A common vision Product / Process / Other What are the measures of success? Building trust and relationships teamwork Get to know your partners, meet early and often Ensure European dimension to the research works Managing expectations and shifting perspectives No magic formula Most of all - detailed planning and common sense

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Thank you for your attention http://questor.qub.ac.uk/ Contact Details: The QUESTOR Centre David Keir Building Stranmillis Road Belfast, BT9 5AG Tel: +44(0)28 9097 5577 e.groom@qub.ac.uk p.mccrory@qub.ac.uk