The Structure of the NCP System in Austria Strengths and weaknesses, evaluation and potential steps for improvement Berna Windischbaur, Ralf Koenig FFG – Austrian Research Promotion Agency 22 January 2009, Vienna
FFG - In Brief Established in 2004 (merger of 4 previous organisations) Non-profit organisation, public body (owned by two Austrian Federal Ministries) Largest Austrian Funding Agency –Budget ~ 580 Mio. Euro in year 2007 –approx. 200 employees 5 operational divisions
Organisational Structure of FFG Internal services Management Internal auditStrategy Aeronautics and Space Agency (ALR) General Programmes (GP) Structural Programmes (SP) Thematic Programmes (TP) European and International Programmes (EIP)
Division of European and International Programs (EIP) Objective: Strengthening the Austrian participation in the Framework Programme Activities: Awareness, Information, Consultation, Coaching, international Networking (Consortium building), Representation of Austrian interests in the network of National Contact Points (NCP), host of EUREKA and Enterprise Europe Network Measures: Information and Training events, Workshops and Seminars, One-on-one meetings, Cooperation with intermediary organisations
Division of European and International Programs (EIP) Resources Total number of employees: 45 full-time equivalent (19 NCPs; 20 Experts; 9 Assistants) FP6 briefly approx successful Austrian teams working with approx international partners Return: 425 Mio, EUR; 117%
- services -Individual Coaching -Proposal Writing* -Partner search -Legal Help (IPR) Core Activities FFG/EIP Customer Services -Proposal Check -Prepatory co-funding -Project Management* -Exploitation -Recognition of success -FFG Academy
Success and NCP services, on average % 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% general Information detailled coaching/ Proposal Check no contactEU total not funded funded A current example: Spring 2008: app proposals with partners from AT who submitted under „Cooperation“ 23%29%14%15,5% Core Activities FFG/EIP Customer Services
Internal Support Activities Human Resources Development - Legal Issues (Contractual issues, IPR, etc.) - Financial Issues (EU Audits, cost planning, reporting, billing, etc.) - Data Security - Programme Management FFG/EIP
Internal Support Activities Human Resources Development (continues) - Project Management - Technical Trainings (PM Tool, INNOMAN, advanced excel, etc.) - Individual Development (Goal Assessment, Leadership, creativity, presentation and moderation techniques, conflict management, communication, rhetoric, negotiation, time and stress management, etc.) FFG/EIP
Internal Support Activities Institutional Development - Web-site (FP7 and FFG) - Printed materials (brochure, info papers, success stories, etc) - Media communication Information Technology - FP7 Web site - CRM System> INNOMAN - PM Tool - Groupwise ( / calander of activities/ personal organizer) FFG/EIP
Internal Support Activities Finance & Accounting - Centralized accounting - Decentralized project management - Unique cost keys to record and monitor the performance FFG/EIP
Communication with State Authorities - Annual Work Programme (Division and Units) - Reporting - Ext. Evaluation - Monitoring the National Performance in FP7 - Regular information exchanges Programme Delegates NCPs External Support Activities FFG/EIP
Communication with EU - NCP Meetings - Programme Committee Meetings - FP Projects Communication and Networking with MS&AC - NCP Network & Projects (currently 16 in FP7) External Support Activities Communication and Networking with 3rd Countries - FP Projects FFG/EIP
Thank you very much for your attention… FFG - Austrian Research Promotion Agency Division European and International Programmes (EIP) Sensengasse 1, A-1090 Vienna, Austria Ralf Koenig Head of Unit Unit for International Cooperation, Mobility and ERC Phone: +43 (0) Fax: +43 (0) Berna Windischbaur Project Manager Unit for International Cooperation, Mobility and ERC Phone: +43 (0) Fax: +43 (0)