1. © IMEC 2010

2. SIMPLIFYING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF RESEARCH FRAMEWORK PROGRAMMES EPP HEARING - EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT BRUSSELS, 1 SEPTEMBER 2010 Ingrid Reynaert IMEC Manager Academic and Governmental Relations

3. © IMEC 2010 IMEC MISSION Imec performs world-leading research in nanoelectronics. We leverage our scientific knowledge with the innovative power of our global partnerships in ICT, healthcare and energy. 3

4. © IMEC 2010 IMEC FIGURES Revenue: 275 m (incl. 44 m grant from Flanders government) Staff: >1750 worldwide Nationalities: ~60 Worldwide collaboration: >600 companies 4

5. © IMEC 2010 IMEC AND SIMPLIFICATION Coordinated the set-up of two position papers from the 5 Flemish universities and 4 research centres -Challenges for Europes 8 th Framework Programme in the European Research Area, a position paper of the Flemish universities and strategic research centres in Flanders (December 2009) -Position of the Flemish Research Institutions on COM(2010) 187 Simplifying the implementation of the Research Framework Programmes (May 2010) Involved in the preparations under the Belgian Presidency -Set-up of the BE position -Preparation of Council conclusions Involved in the working group European collaborations organised by the Flemish Council for Science and Innovation About100 European projects running 5

6. © IMEC 2010 PRINCIPLES OF SIMPLIFICATION Healthy balance between scientific output and administrative burden Stable rules and procedures Consistency in interpretation of rules and procedures Mutual trust Excellence 6

7. © IMEC 2010 MINOR CHANGES UNDER FP7 Further develop the Research Participant Portal Ensure equal interpretation and application of rules and regulations Accept the official accounts of the beneficiary Simplify the criteria for average personnel cost methodology Introduce more two-stage application procedures Remove the obligation to open interest-bearing bank accounts Consider VAT as an eligible cost item where non-deductible Improve the clarity of the guidance documents Line-up the calendar for calls 7

8. © IMEC 2010 TOWARDS FP8 Develop synergies across all Commission funding programmes and instruments using common rules and procedures Maintain different funding rates, indirect cost calculation models for each type of beneficiary Introduce a multidisciplinary approach Special attention should be given to: Introduce of lump sums Shift from cost-based to result-based funding 8

9. © IMEC 2010 CURRENT DEFINITION OF LUMP SUMS Contribution in the form of lump sums (or based on reimbursement of eligible costs) Lump sums and not actual cost are considered as eligible cost No requirement of submission of financial justifications as these are fixed No requirement to submit certificates on financial statements Keep record of time (e.g. timesheets) Amount per cost category predefined and adopted by the Commission 9

10. © IMEC 2010 TWO OPTIONS FOR USE OF LUMP SUMS 1.Option 1: no change of rules lump sums are always optional 2. Option 2: change of rules based on actual costs of each beneficiary according to the usual accounting practice of the beneficiary 10

11. © IMEC 2010 SHIFT TO RESULT-BASED FUNDING Open debate with stakeholders A result that could not be reached is a result in itself Approach based on best effort principles Make a clear link between level of risk, milestones and payment plan in Grant Agreement Funding based on Excellence Lump sums if based on actual costs 11

12. © IMEC 2010 CAREFULL APPROACH Perform an international benchmarking exercise Look at principles of collaboration in industrial consortium Start with pilot projects Use for dedicated research Do not generalise it 12

13. © IMEC 2010 CONCLUSIONS ON SIMPLIFICATION 13 FP7 FP8

14. © IMEC 2010 THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION! ingrid.reynaert@imec.be www.imec.be