1 How to participate in FP7 Miroslav Polzer Austrian Science and Research Liaison Office Ljubljana Centre for Social Innovation ZSI, Vienna / Austria several parts of the presentation are based on Hyperion / Sean McCarthy training course material How to participate in FP7 Miroslav Polzer Austrian Science and Research Liaison Office Ljubljana Centre for Social Innovation ZSI, Vienna / Austria several parts of the presentation are based on Hyperion / Sean McCarthy training course material

2 Why should an SME (from SEE) participate in FP7? Advantages/Potentials of FP cooperation -To establish contacts with major players -To broaden skill base (management, political, business..) -To work in a challenging and exciting environment -To become a STI player on European level (access to networks, technology and financing) Disadvantages/Risks Very demanding project preparation Low success rates (in some programmes well below 10 %) FP not suited to short term problems Demanding administration (reporting, audits, intraconsortial communication, etc.) Cofinancing demand Framework programmes are not a market; EU is funding R&D risks; it is illegal to make profit during the project, no „product development“ but „pre-competitive research“; commercial exploitation is encouraged (after the project) Participation in FP is most appropriate for research intensive SMEs with growth potentials!!

3 How to proceed? I Clarify your best scientific area: „niche within a niche“ (how do you contribute with your competencies to „excellence“ of the project) Identify relevant people (EU officials, best scientists, gurus) Join relevant EU associations/networks (according to McCarthy this is a key success factor) Promote your expertise through conferences/associations Identify the relevant workprogrammes/instruments Study background documentation (studies+procedures) Participate in EU evaluations, committees, studies, etc. Follow the „BEST“ strategy: best science, best partners, best solutions for EU policies (and follow the European Commission‘s Guidelines)

4 How to proceed? II Appoint a „Framework Programme Guru“ in your company Train financial personnel on FP financial rules Use Support services (public (e.g. NCPs) and private) to streamline bureaucracy Become knowledgable regarding Intelectual Property Rights issues Develop a strategy for exploitation of project results in your company

5 Best Ways to find partners Find who is already receiving contracts in your scientific area: (FP6) Join Existing Networks: Search for 'Coordination Actions' on Check Conferences that have been funded in your area Join the Relevant EU Association Join an existing COST Action Contact National Contact Point for your area Internet sites to find Slovenian and Austrian partners: Slovenia Your Cooperation Partner Austria’s IT Research Landscape

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8 Secrets of proposal writing Aim of the proposal: to solve a problem (gap) the EC has identified Educate the evaluater (with facts and figures) Lobbying (US term) = Briefing (in Europe) The EC love their documents. Follow guidelines in detail EC guidelines tell you what they want: You must know why? -FP 4: Developing Technologies -FP 5: Solving problems with Technologies -FP 6: Best consortium to solve strategic EU problems -FP 7: Technology platforms, competitivness, global challenges, etc. Analyse: rejected/successful proposals + successful individuals You may use for your proposal writing also existing templates: e.g. templates prepared by Sean McCarthy

9 Thank you for your attention