The new EEA – enhanced opportunities for international R&D co-operation

Contents I.A brief presentation of the two new EEA financial mechanisms II.The EEA and international R&D co- operation III.How can The Research Council of Norway contribute? IV.What now? V.Facts and figures

I – A brief presentation of the two new EEA financial mechanisms

Two new financial schemes add to over 1,2 billion euro EEA expansion agreement commits Norway in contributing with approximately 1,2 billion euro during period, aimed for the new member states Funds are to be channelled through two different financial mechanisms  One is Norwegian, and is funded 100% by Norway  The other is an EFTA scheme in witch Norway contributes with 94,59 percent and the rest is financed by the other EFTA countries (Liechtenstein and Island)

The object of the schemes ”To contribute in lowering the economic and social differences in the European economic agreement area…” An additional goal for the Norwegian scheme is to strengthen co-operation with the new EU countries

Total annual grants PolandEUR 112 mill. Hungary EUR 27 mill. Czechoslovakia EUR 22 mill. Slovakia EUR 14 mill. Lithuania EUR 13 mill. Latvia EUR 11 mill. Spain EUR 9 mill. Greece EUR 7 mill. EstoniaEUR 6,5 mill. Portugal EUR 6,4 mill. Slovenia EUR 3,7 mill. Cypros EUR 1,0 mill. Malta EUR 0,7 mill.  1 Euro=8,3 NOK

Subjects in EEAs financial mechanism Environmental protection Sustainable development and the more effective use of resources Cultural heritage Evolve human resources through education and training and public services Strengthen local public services – democratic processes Health and childcare Academic research may be eligible for funding in so far as it is targeted by one or more of the priority sectors

Subjects in Norwegian financial mechanism The same sectors as in the EEA agreement, with the following priorities: Implementation of the Schengen agreement Conservation of the environment with focus on waste management and strengthening the administrative capacity and infrastructure Regional-politics (national and cross border activities) Technical support for implementation of the scheme

Mutual policies for the two schemes The funds are recipient managed – the countries will be responsible for development, proposal, and execution of projects and programs Each recipient country establish a Focal Point to manage funds and work as a national point of contact % net capital ratio is required from recipient countries Requirements are more precisely described in respective rules and procedures, and guidelines Priorities for different nations are defined in MoUs and appendixes

Decision-making Process Applications are to be sent to the Focal Points in the respective receiving country Focal Point propose applications, in accordance to MoU, to EEAs and Norway’s Financial Mechanism Office (FMO) A joint secretary FMO is established in Brussels The secretary will select independent experts to consider applications The European Commission will review the applications pursuant to general rules The secretary considers applications and put forward a motion to the FMO (for EEA mechanism) and to the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Norwegian mechanism)

II – The EEA and international R&D co-operation

50 percent increase in Norwegian research collaboration with new EU- member states  Most important areas of collaboration:  Xxx  Xx  xx (co-authorship by country, scientific articles)

International co-operation - challenges for Norway EU- increasingly important  High success rate in FP 6 Bilateral agreements  Europe, Asia, North- America Focus  Scientific excellence, technological opportunities, business relevance Norway in 6.FP-1.call High success rate - 25 % Part of networks of high quality and position 13 national programs in ERA- NET, 50 % of the total NETs Success areas:  Food safety and quality- marin food  Environment  Maritime transport  Energy

Research – an important instrument in fulfilling the mechanisms goals Research contributes to ”lowering the economic and social differences in the European economic agreement area…”  Lisbon-strategy Research can be included in all areas mentioned in the EEA agreement Research is the only specifically mentioned instrument in the agreement

Research – to attain the goals of the financial schemes Contribute to economic and social development  Research - crucial for innovation and growth  Research – major role in securing a healthy environment and a sustainable development Contribute to better co-operation with new EU members  Further development to existing research co- operation as well as establishing new relations

EUs strategy for research: From Lisboa to Barcelona Results of the Lisbon-meeting: EU “most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world” to secure future prosperity Results of the Barcelona-meeting: Research and development should amount to 3% of EUs GNP within 2010 if Lisbon-strategy is to be fulfilled EEA schemes is, in co-operation with other EU agreements, are important to carry out goals from Lisbon and Barcelona meetings

Increased co-operation - increased quality Cross-boarder co-operation improves network and opens access to several research arenas Norwegian research remarkable in energy and environment Norway can contribute with strategic, institutional- based co-operation to improve research environment  Co-operate with The Norwegian Centre of Excellence  Researcher mobility Research co-operation achieve higher grade of innovation

III – How can The Research Council of Norway contribute?

The Research Council of Norway a government adviser identifying present and future needs for knowledge and research, and recommending national priorities a funding agency for research programmes and independent projects, strategic programmes at research institutions, and Norwegian participation in international research activities. The Research Council has an annual budget of some NOK 4,5 billion a co-ordinator initiating networks and promoting co-operation between research institutions, ministries, business and industry, public agencies and enterprises, other sources of funding, and users of research

The Research Council of Norway AdministrationCommunication Division for Science Division for Innovation Division for Strategic Priorities Director General Staff International staff

Our strategy aims to raise the quality of the research increase research for innovation strengthen the dialogue between research and society take better care of the talents strengthen the internationalisation of research in Norway make an even better Research Council

Focus on quality Special initiatives have been taken to promote research on a high international level: Centres of excellence (CoE) The total, yearly budget of the CoE-scheme is at present NOK 120 million, but may be expanded with NOK 100 mill from Centres of Excellences (CoEs)

Centres of Excellence Centre of Mathematics for Applications Centre for Integrated Petroleum Research Aquaculture Protein Centre International Centre for Geohazards Centre for Quantifiable Quality of Service in Communication Systems Centre for the Biology of Memory Centre for Ships and Ocean Structures Centre for the Study of Civil War Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research Centre for Molecular Biology Physics of Geological Processes Centre for Advanced Study in Theoretical Linguistics Centre for Medieval Studies

Total budget by activities (2004) Programmes Independent projects Miscellaneous Infrastructure Total EUR 556 million (administration incl.)

Total budget by divisions, NOK mill. (2004) Total EUR 556 million (administration incl.) misc. adm. Division for Science Division for Innovation Division for Strategic Priorities

Large programmes 100 mill NOK or more per year for a ten- year period Comprise basic and applied research and stimulate to innovation, value creation and commercialisation Long-term; a ten-year perspective Support the national research policy - including the thematic priorities Promote multi- and interdisciplinary, involve the divisions and be embedded in several sectors of society A strong international oriented approach

Large programmes Functional Genomics in Norway155,0 Nanotechnology and nanomaterials 75,7 Climate change and impacts for Norway 81,9 Aquaculture 63,7 Value creation in the ICT sector Clean energy system for 149,3 the future Maximal utilization of the petroleum 27,0 reserves Budget 2004 NOK mill

IV – What now?

Recipient management as core principle Ownership to programmes and projects belongs to the recipient countries Accordance with the recipient countries’ own priorities The recipient countries responsible for promoting applications

How to establish and develop Norwegian R&D-alliances Identify projects that may contribute towards reaching goals within the EEC system Find Norwegian partners who may ensure the project’s long-term progress – financially and quality-wise Use the Research Council of Norway as adviser and partner

V – Facts & figures

R&D, % of GDP

Government financed R&D, % of GDP

Business enterprises R&D investments, % of GDP

Norwegian R&D investments (performing sector, constant 1990 billion NOK) Universities & Colleges Institutes Industry ´70 ´80´90´03

R&D personnel in Norway (performing sector, full time equivalents) Universities & Colleges Institutes Industry ´70´80 ´90 ´03