Top Management Programme 18 th May 2006 Amanda Crowfoot Director UK Research Office T: E:

Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council Economic and Social Research Council Medical Research Council Natural Environment Research Council Arts and Humanities Research Council UK Research Office Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils

Mission UKRO’s mission is to promote effective UK participation in EU- funded research programmes, higher education programmes, and other related activities by: supporting sponsors and subscribers through early insight and briefing on developments in European programmes and policies; disseminating timely and targeted information on EU funding opportunities; providing high quality advice, guidance and training on applying for and managing EU projects; exchanging information between the UK research and higher education community, the Institutions of the European Union, and other countries participating in EU programmes. UK Research Office

Services Web site: Tailored Information Services: Enquiry service Annual visit from an UKRO European Advisor Specialist training courses and information events Annual conference for European officers Meeting room in Brussels National Contact Point for FP Mobility programmes Monthly British Council European RTD Insight publication UK Research Office

Current Issues FP7 decision making FP7 ‘simplification’ –Financial Aspects –Legal Aspects –Programme Management Frontier Research and the European Research Council (ERC) Marie Curie Programmes Monitoring non-Framework programmes European Institute of Technology (EIT) Full Economic Cost – implications in Europe Top Management Programme

FEC and European Funding FP operates on a shared-cost principle ‘Cost models’ as mechanisms for cost sharing TRAC could have meant move from AC to FC in FP6 UKRO/UUK project on implications of move Detailed follow-up project on costs and benefits of EU participation See FP7 Rules of Participation proposal includes changes to: –Grant forms –Cost models –Cost reimbursement Top Management Programme

Preparing for FP7 Develop a European Strategy Raise your institution’s profile: –Make contact with local MEPs –Identify/foster key Commission contacts –Produce promotional materials –Maintain a Brussels presence –Ensure networking of researchers/research managers/policy makers Identify reliable formal and informal contacts/sources of information Participate in consultations Promote participation of staff as experts Top Management Programme

Benefits of Participation Internationalisation of research Benchmarking performance in European context Range of project types (multi-disciplinary, industrial) Networking opportunities – research and teaching Opening up new opportunities Mobility of staff and students Research capacity Pan-European university networks Links to third ‘stream’ activities Top Management Programme

Further Information UKRO FP7 Pages CORDIS FP7 Pages ERC Website Your Voice in Europe – Consultations web page Information Sources