InJoy&Train FAFB Information Day 16 November, 2007 SMEs in FP7 Tigran Arzumanyan

FAFB Information Day, 16 November CAPACITIES PROGRAMME Research for the benefit of SMEs OBJECTIVES The aim is to strengthen “innovation capacity” of SMEs and their contribution to development of new technology based products and markets. The programme will help SMEs outsource research, increase their research efforts, extend their networks, better exploit research results and acquire technological know-how, bridging the gap between research and innovation. Projects must render clear exploitation potential and economic benefits for the SMEs involved.

FAFB Information Day, 16 November WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?  Representing 99% of all enterprises in Europe, they contribute more than two thirds of European GDP and provide 75 million jobs in the private sector. They are therefore key to implementation of the renewed Lisbon strategy for economic growth and employment.  Research for SMEs is a bottom-up scheme: the projects may address any research topic across the entire field of science and technology.  The EU Member States have earmarked a total of € 1336 million for funding SME research support over the duration of FP7.

FAFB Information Day, 16 November WHAT WILL BE FUNDED? 1. Supporting SMEs outsourcing research activities –This support aims at SMEs or SME associations in need of outsourcing research to providers of research services ('RTD performers') such as universities, research centres or other, more specialised SMEs.

FAFB Information Day, 16 November Implemented via two distinct schemes  Research for SMEs - targeting mainly low to medium technology SMEs with little or no research capability, but also high-tech SMEs who need to outsource research to complement their core research capability. Projects aim at creating new knowledge or producing results with clear potential to improve or develop new products, processes or services for the participating SMEs.  Research for SME associations - targeting associations which act on behalf of their SME members to identify and address common technical problems and to promote the effective dissemination and take-up of results.

FAFB Information Day, 16 November Developing and coordinating support to SMEs at national level  In the long-term perspective, it is expected that national and regional research programmes for SMEs establish common objectives and evaluation methods for trans- national research cooperation with a significant added value to Community support for the benefits of SMEs.

FAFB Information Day, 16 November ACTIVITIES IN THE PROJECT  Research and technological development activities (RTD)  Demonstration activities (DEMO)  Other activities (OTHER)  Management activities (MANAG)

FAFB Information Day, 16 November CONSORTIUM  SME participants: At least three independent SMEs, established in three different Member States or associated countries.  RTD performers: At least two RTD performers which must be independent from any other participant and which can come from any country. Examples of RTD performers are universities, research organisations and industrial companies, including research performing SMEs.  In addition, Other enterprises and end-users may participate by making a particular contribution to the project. They must also be independent from any other participant.

FAFB Information Day, 16 November RECOMMENDATIONS FOR RESOURCES AND DURATION The size of the consortium should typically be between 5 and 10 participants. The overall budget of the project should typically be between € 0.5 million to € 1.5 million and the duration of the project should normally be between 1 and 2 years. If a project deviates from these recommendations a justification is required.

FAFB Information Day, 16 November CALCULATION OF THE EC CONTRIBUTION  The European Community will provide a financial support to the project which covers only part of the total costs. The SME participants will therefore have to contribute with own resources, in cash or in- kind, to the project. The EC contribution is based on upper funding limits for individual activities: Research and technological development activities: maximum of 50 % of the eligible costs. However, for SMEs, non-profit public bodies, secondary and higher education establishments, and research organisations: a maximum of 75 %. Demonstration activities: maximum of 50% Management and other activities: maximum of 100%  One important rule for the calculation of the EC contribution applies: In order to achieve the aim of promoting the outsourcing of research and demonstration activities, the financial support to the project will be limited to 110% of the total amount of the subcontracting to the RTD performers (price to be invoiced by RTD performers to SMEs).

FAFB Information Day, 16 November ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SOURCES  National Contact Persons  Seventh Framework Programme:  SME TechWeb

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