Dr. Margaretha Mazura (EMF) ICT Day Opportunities to participate in EU ICT research projects San José, 16 February 2010 Principles of EU Research Funding in ICT: Practical Tips

ICT - Information and Communication Technologies - is a Theme for research and development under the programme “Cooperation” implementing the Seventh Framework Programme ( ) FP7 is the main EU instrument supporting R&D Total budget: over € 50 billion. Most part is spent on grants to research actors all over Europe and beyond Grants determined on the basis of calls for proposals and a peer review process 1.1 ICT in FP7 Basic Information (1)

ICT Work Programme The WP defines the priorities for calls for proposals The work programme is updated on a regular basis Latest version: WP 2010 (July 2009) Next version: in preparation; will be officially presented at the ICT 2010 conference WP Structure: Focus on a limited set of: Challenges (RTD challenges) Research Objectives Target Outcomes Basic information (2)

Basic principle of funding in FP7-ICT is co-financing. The maximum EC contribution depends on the funding scheme, the legal status of the participants and the type of activity. The standard reimbursement rate for R&D activities is 50% of the eligible costs: and up to 75% of the eligible costs for non-profit public bodies, SMEs, research organisations, higher education establishments : For demonstration activities: 50% of the eligible costs. For other activities (consortium management, networking, training, coordination, dissemination etc.): up to 100% of the eligible costs Basic information (3)

Call title: ICT call 6 Call identifier: FP7-ICT Date of publication: 24 November 2009 Deadline: 13 April 2010 Indicative budget: EUR 286 million Topics called: Challenges Objectives Funding schemes Calls for Proposals The European Commission funds ICT research by selecting project proposals submitted in response to a ‘Call for proposals’ Basic information (4) Implementation of Calls Call title: ICT call 7 To be published at the ICT 2010 conference, September Forecast: New challenges, e.g Factories of the Future; PPP

??? ?

 What makes a proposal successful? The proposed project corresponds to the priorities of the call and the priorities the Unit in question considers important is innovative and of high scientific quality has a convincing consortium: partners are competent for the activities suggested; they are a good “mix”; they have clear roles is well written so that evaluators from all cultural, educational and business backgrounds can understand it Success factors (1) Practical steps to a successful proposal

No clear description of progress beyond State-of-the-Art  Main criterion for research projects: explain HOW the project will go beyond. “Fuzziness” of work plan description  not convincing in terms of impact and excellence: to remedy, make a clear plan on WHO does WHAT WHEN WHY for WHOSE benefit? Inconsistencies or incoherencies: A good idea at the beginning is not followed through in the work packages  not convincing in terms of management. Common pitfalls (1) Practical steps to a successful proposal (2) MAIN REASONS FOR FAILURE

Incomplete or not complementary consortium or “decorative” partners  not convincing in terms of quality of consortium; clarify roles! Lack of exploitation opportunities description  not convincing in terms of impact and/or sustainability; give measurable indicators! And increasingly: Value for money! MAIN REASONS FOR FAILURE (2) Common pitfalls (2) Practical steps to a successful proposal (3)

S uitable (meets identified needs: yours and the target group’s !) M anageable (big enough to cover all necessary competences, small enough to being manageable) A ppropriate (it is the most efficient way of tackling the subject and implementing the work) R elevant (tackles the WP’s and call’s objectives and EU policies) T ransferable (sustainable and potentially usable by other target groups) Tips and tricks (1) Practical steps to a successful proposal (4) MAKE YOUR PROPOSAL SMART:

Step 1:  Check what the Commission REALLY wants  Check if this REALLY falls into your and the partners’ competences Step 2:  Read the guidelines for proposers, but almost more important  Read the guidelines for evaluators! Step 3:  Write! Use the “3 C”: clear, concise, consistent Step 4:  Ask outsiders to read the project and comment!  Ask colleagues not involved to “evaluate” it! Tips and tricks (2) Practical steps to a successful proposal (5) HOW TO INCREASE THE CHANCE FOR SUCCESS:

Thank You Margaretha Mazura Secretary gerneal, EMF Training modules: