EU-funded RDI projects: opportunities and challenges

Transcription

1 EU-funded RDI projects: opportunities and challenges Innovatum, 10 November 2015 Dr. Stephan Pascall Managing Director Europlan UK Ltd.

2 I. EU funding landscape

3 EU investment in R&D Investment in R&D is part of the solution to exit from the economic crises 3

4 EU MFF

5 Multiannual Financial Framework ( ) Key challenge: stabilise the financial and economic system while taking measures to create economic opportunities 1. Smart & inclusive growth ( 451 billion) Education, Youth, Sport Connecting Europe Cohesion Competitive Business SMEs HORIZON Sustainable growth, natural resources ( 373 billion) 3. Security and citizenship ( 16 billion) 4. Global Europe ( 58 billion) 5. Administration ( 61.6 billion) TOTAL 960 billion 5

6 Types of EU RDI support actions European funds for research, development and innovation actions: Funds directly managed by the European Commission through European funding programmes (e.g., Horizon 2020, Erasmus for All) European funds that the European Commission distributes to different countries and that are managed directly by the Countries through funding programmes (e.g., Structural Funds) 6

7 Key European R&D funding schemes Horizon 2020 EU s Framework Programme for Research and Innovation ( ) Life+ EU s financial instrument supporting environmental and nature conservation projects ( ) Structural Funds: European Social Fund (ESF) & European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Cohesion Fund Eureka Eurostars - European funding programme managed by the pan-european initiative EUREKA to support market-oriented R&D Erasmus+ EU programme for Education, Training, Youth, and Sport Joint Technology Initiatives: Artemis (embedded systems), Clean Sky (aeronautics), ENIAC (microelectronics) COOPERATION programmes INTERREG EUROPE, MED, CENTRAL mainly targeted at Public Bodies; activities aimed either at fostering innovation, or at implementing new services/technologies 7

8 What is Horizon 2020? Biggest EU Research and Innovation programme ever with EUR 70 billion of funding for over 7 years ( ) A core part of Europe 2020, Innovation Union & European Research Area: Responding to the economic crisis to invest in future jobs and growth Addressing people s concerns about their livelihoods, safety and environment Strengthening the EU s global position in research, innovation and technology 8

9 Horizon 2020 Funding logic Fundamental understanding European Research Council (ERC) Marie Sklodowska Curie Actions Future and Emerging Technology (FET) Possibility of use Industrial Leadership (SME Instrument; Fast Track to Innovation) Societal Challenges 9

10 Horizon 2020: Support of SMEs SME instrument? Concept & Feasibility Assessment Demonstration Market Replication Research Development Procurement Commercialisation SME window EU financial facilities IDEA business coaching and complimentary services MARKET 10

11 Life+ Budget and Structure Budget: EUR 3.4 billion in Two sub-programmes: LIFE sub-programme for Environment, including as priorities areas environment and resource efficiency, nature and biodiversity, and governance and information LIFE sub-programme for Climate Action, including as priorities areas adaptation, mitigation and governance and information 11

12 Eureka Type of projects supported Eureka individual projects => small, shorterterm projects with participants from at least two member countries for an advanced product, process or service Eureka Clusters => medium-term, strategicallysignificant initiatives with participants from companies in Europe to develop generic technologies of key importance Eurostarts - a joint EUREKA-EU funding and support programme led by R&D-performing SMEs 12

13 INTERREG EUROPE ( ) Budget of EUR 8.9 billion for European Territorial Cooperation, including EUR 359 million for INTERREG Europe Interregional cooperation will continue to exist to reinforce the effectiveness of cohesion policy Topics related to regional development: Research, technological development and innovation Competitiveness of SMEs Low carbon economy Environment and resource efficiency 13

14 INTERREG EUROPE supported actions Cooperation projects: partnerships of public organisations from different countries in Europe to exchange experiences on a particular policy issue Policy Learning Platforms: a space for continuous learning where any organisation dealing with regional development policies in Europe can find solutions to improve the way they manage and implement their public policies 14

15 II. Opportunities

16 Why to participate in EU RDI programmes? To share knowledge, experience and facilities across Europe based on transparent rules and in a predictable context To facilitate the coordination of national or European teams and works To establish networks of excellence To gain a competitive edge through translational knowledge To tackle global research challenges To take advantage of career development opportunities or increase visibility of an organisation or territory And also funding and prestige 16

17 III. Challenges

18 Challenges of EU-funded projects Difficult to get into -> High competition and low success rate (typically varying between 5% and 20%) Difficult to manage -> Complex administration and coordination (reporting, audit, IPR, performance risks, etc.) Difficult to cover -> Partial funding (typically varying between 50% and 100%) 18

19 IV. Solutions

20 Key factors of success in EU-funded projects Strategic approach to EU project portfolio -> broader vision and investment into support infrastructure (staff training, access to expert knowledge, etc.) Regular monitoring of policy and funding opportunities and early decision-making High quality project proposal development schemes Effective partnership strategies Balance between own interests and project requirements / scope Active representation of interests in the EU 20

21 Support offered by Europlan UK Mapping of ideas and design of EU participation strategies Proposal development and review Staff training and coaching Professional communication and management of EUfunded projects Analytical support and representation of interests in the EU institutions Policy, project and programme evaluation Technical studies in ICT, circular economy and environment 21

22 Europlan UK Ltd Offices Headquarters in the University of Essex, Parkside Village, Colchester, UK Representation office in the Symbiosis Center, Sotenas, Sweden Antennae in Brussels, Belgium and Trondheim, Norway Research & Innovation Labs ICT for Learning: Educational simulations, Computer-supported collaborative learning, Augmented reality, Wearable technologies, Emergency training E-government Circular economy: Wind & Marine power, Thermal recovery, Biomass, Biogas & Biohydrogen, Liquid Biofuels, Rational use of energy and energy audits 22

23 Thank you for your attention! Q&A 23

24 Backup slides Horizon 2020 Life programme Eureka Erasmus 24

25 Life+ Types of Projects 25

26 Life+ in

27 Eurostars eligibility criteria Consortium leader must be an R&D-performing SME* Participants from a minimum of two Eurostars participating countries Project duration of less than three years Market introduction is planned within two years of project completion R&D-performing SMEs undertake at least 50% of total R&D cost The consortium must be well-balanced, with no country responsible for more than 75% of project costs * 10% FTE dedicated to R&D or 10% turnover dedicated to R&D 27

28 Who can access INTERREG EUROPE funding? Organisations based in the 28 EU member states, Norway or Switzerland are eligible for INTERREG EUROPE funding if they are: National, regional or local public authorities Other institutions governed by public law (e.g. universities, regional development agencies, business support actors, etc.). Each country defines which institutions are eligible according to national regulations. 28

29 Erasmus+ The Erasmus+ programme aims to boost skills and employability, as well as modernising Education, Training, and Youth work. The seven year programme will have a budget of 14.7 billion; a 40% increase compared to current spending levels, reflecting the EU's commitment to investing in these areas. Funding opportunities primarily for higher education institutions 29