1 The EU Framework programme for Health research: Opportunities for International Collaboration Stéphane Hogan Head of Unit – Horizontal Aspects Health Directorate DG Research & Innovation European Commission National Taiwan University – Taipei, 19 March 2012

2 EU research policy Why ? l to improve quality of life and l to improve competiveness of Europe through collaboration How ? l by encouraging academia-industry collaboration l by enabling international collaboration l by pooling resources (funds for Framework Programmes) l by coordinating national research programmes

3 EU research policy The EU’s Framework Programmes (FP): l FP5 – 4 years ( ): €15 billion l FP6 – 4 years ( ): €20 billion l FP7 – 7 years ( ): €55 billion l Horizon 2020 – 7 years ( ): €80* billion (* European Commission proposal currently under debate)

4 FP7 budget ( ): € 55 billion = ~6% of public R&D investment in Europe

5 Collaborative research in the Health theme Budget: l €6 billion over 7 years ( ) l € m/year through calls for proposals, including Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI) Main policy drivers: l Improving health l Increasing competitiveness of European health- related industries and businesses l Addressing global health issues, including emerging epidemics

6 The Health Theme Three main activities ( “ pillars ” ) Activity 1: Biotechnology, generic tools & technologies for health Activity 2: Translating research for human health Activity 3: Optimising the delivery of health care cross-cutting issues: international cooperation, SMEs, child health, ageing populations, gender-related health issues Activity 4: Support actions & response to policy needs The Innovative Medicines Initiative

7 How does it work ? (1) From policy to funding the best research projects The policy for Health research is described in FP7 specific programme (available on CORDIS web site). Each year, a work programme is prepared by the EC staff, based on consultations of Advisory Group and Programme Committee. Then EC publishes calls for proposals to invite researchers to submit collaborative proposals for research projects. Next calls: 10 July 2012 (2013 budget)

8 How does it work ? (2) From policy to funding the best research projects Next calls: July 2012 (2013 budget) Researchers form consortia and prepare proposals Two-stage submission & evaluation process The best projects are selected on the basis of evaluation by panels of independent experts (peer review). After negotiation of a grant agreement, a project is normally funded for 2-5 years, with regular reporting.

9 Collaborative research l Minimum 3 partners from EU or associated countries è 27 EU Member States: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Rep., Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom. è Associated Countries: Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, FYROM, Iceland, Israel, Liechtenstein, Montenegro, Norway, Serbia, Switzerland, Turkey and the Faroe Islands. è In addition, researchers from anywhere in the world can participate and in many cases, these can be funded.

10 Features of FP7 Health in 2012 & 2013  more prominent priorities, i.e. focus on fewer areas  fewer, broader topics,  two-stage submission-evaluation  greater emphasis on innovation  especially through SME-targeted topics  and continued support of clinical trials  international cooperation with more strategic focus

priorities:  Ageing  Medical technologies  Rare diseases & Personalised medicine  Healthcare systems ~ €660 million Priorities for Health in 2012 & priorities:  the brain  Antimicrobial resistance  Comparative effectiveness (also cancer, cvd, neglected infectious diseases…) ~ €780 million (tbc) Cross-cutting priorities:  Innovation / SMEs  International Cooperation

12 Basic principles for calls & evaluation Peer review Equality of treatment Transparency Aim: to fund the best R&D proposals

13 Basic principles: l Annual calls for proposals (in two stages) l Evaluation by panels of independent experts overseen by Independent Observers l 3 criteria:  Science & Technology excellence  Implementation & Management  Potential Impact l Feedback: Evaluation Summary Reports (ESRs) Submission & evaluation

14 Outcome of calls in 2011 & 2012 HEALTH-2011-two-stage call:  1 st stage: ~780 proposals received => 221 passed  2 nd stage: 91 proposals short-listed, success rate: 41%  €495m awarded, on average €5.5 million HEALTH-2012-two-stage call:  1 st stage: over 1170 proposals received => 331 passed  2 nd stage evaluation ongoing… ~110 projects to be funded  >€600m to be awarded

15 Taiwan in FP7  19 participations across all themes in first 4 years  including 6 in Environment, 2 in Health and 3 in ICT.  in Health:  SILVER project with National Central University Small-molecule Inhibitor Leads Versus Emerging and neglected RNA viruses with leading European organisations: Leuven, Leiden, Oxford, SCIC, Milano, Pasteur, Leipzig, Heidelberg…  ASIAFLUCAP with Center for Diseases Control Health system analysis to support capacity development to respond to pandemic influenza in Asia with London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine…

16 Advice for applicants  Analyse the work programme carefully  Apply if you see a clear opportunity that fits your strategy  Find partners rapidly, but chose them carefully  Do not view EC grants only as a source of cash, but as a means to access know-how & resources from partners.  Participation in a FP project involves reporting duties – these need to be properly planned & resourced.  Use support structures:  National Contact Points (NCPs), Fit-for-Health, … eg: Taiwan NCP for Health

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18 Contacts & Information: FP7 Health web site: Participant portal: To register as an Expert: FitForHealth: EC projects database: Thank you National Contact Point (NCP) for Taiwan: