The ERA.Net instrument Aims and benefits FP7 ERA-Net RUS Workshop Moscow, Higher School of Economics, 27 January 2010 The ERA.Net instrument Aims and benefits Yves Maisonny European Commission - Research DG International Cooperation

European Research Area 3 concepts the creation of an "internal market" in research (free movement of knowledge, researchers and technology) the restructuring of the European research fabric (improved coordination of national research activities and policies) the development of a European research policy (taking into account other EU and national policies)

Restructuring a fragmented ERA EU27 + EC

Why ERA-NET ? To reduce fragmentation of research efforts made at national level in Europe Reasons for coordination: Achieving critical mass, to ensure better use of resources Join forces to provide common answers to common problems Addressing global issues Developing common approaches (e.g. ethics, standards) Addressing specific geographical issues Speaking with “one voice” outside the EU In many cases several reasons apply but for all: Avoiding overlap and build up of expertise Exchange of good practices Access to expertise

Co-ordination & Integration of public research in the ERA Policy level open method of coordination mapping, benchmarking, etc. Legislation (e.g. 3rd country researchers) Maximum Leverage Programme level ERA-NET ERA-NET Plus (EC topping up a joint call) Article 169 initiatives (full integration) Medium Leverage Project level FP7 funding schemes Lower Leverage

ERA-NET Objective To develop and strengthen the coordination of public research programmes carried out at national or at regional level. “Programmes” should be understood as entire research programmes, or parts of such programmes, or similar initiatives having the following characteristics: be strategically planned be carried out at national or regional level be financed or managed directly by national or regional public bodies, or by structures closely related (e.g. agencies)

ERA-NET Participants All participants should be either: programme owners, such as national ministries or regional authorities managing a research programme programme managers (e.g. research councils, agencies) which implement research programmes under programme owners’ supervision in justified cases: programme owners without a research programme but planning to set up one Participants from at least 3 different Member States or Associated States

A step by step approach is proposed: ERA-NET Activities A step by step approach is proposed: ERA-NET may include the following activities to foster coordination and cooperation between programmes: 1 – Systematic exchange of information & best practice 2 – Definition and preparation of joint activities 3 – Implementation of joint activities 4 – Funding of transnational research

ERA-NET achievements: from FP6 to FP7 FP6: 71 ERA-NETs, more than 40 still running, 450 participating organisations committing about €1.1 billion in 115 joint calls (€773 million) and 15 joint programmes (€376 million) FP7: WP 2007: 19 ERA-NET, 4 ERA-NET Plus WP 2008: 12 ERA-NET, 4 ERA-NET Plus WP 2009: 8 ERA-NET, 1 ERA-NET Plus WP 2010 (expected): 16 ERA-NET  Majority of FP7 ERA-NETs on new topics with a substantial number of new participants

Lessons learned from INCO ERA-NET Need for focusing on clear objectives for joint activities; Mapping relevant fields for joint actions is crucial to avoid overlap and duplication; Ensuring that the scope of research topics under joint actions is not too broad in order to avoid oversubscription.

Impact assessment Logic model INPUT PROCESSES OUTPUTS OUTCOMES Systematic exchange of information and good practices Undertaken by 67% of respondents Pilot calls: 22 pilot calls €14,752,000 funding 98 funding contributions Impact on national programmes: New opportunities to enable trans-national R&D activities Adoption of new eligibility criteria to fund non-resident researchers (opening-up national programmes) Identification &analysis of common strategic issues Undertaken by 75%of respondents Joint calls: 115 joint calls €773,810,749 funding 597 funding contributions €181.76M overall funding Average EC input per ERA-NET: €2.56m EC funding covered 78% of the total costs of participation on average Planning and development of joint activities Undertaken by 43% of respondents Joint programmes: 15 joint programmes €376,102,000 funding 64 funding contributions Structuring effect: Structuring effect occurred in specific research fields Existing networks strengthened and extended Behavioural additionality occurred Implementation of joint research - generating outputs 73% of respondents participated in a joint call Intangible outputs: Multiple benefits outweighed the costs Benefits from calls Strengthened research networks

ERA-NET benefits Building new networks and work relationships between research public stakeholders and their peers in other countries; Creating new opportunities for enabling transnational research activities; Longer-term added value resulting from a better coordination of R&D funding in Europe; Development of new approaches for some EU Member States towards other countries outside Europe

Supporting initiatives Optimise operational modalities and Impact Assessment ERA-NET Learning Platform /  Aligning structures and procedures for simplified and efficient joint call activities towards a common organisational framework ILN International Learning Network / Structuring the information/experience exchange between FP7 INCO projects NETWATCH Information System  Central information platform for transnational R&D programme cooperation & analytical tools www.ec.europa.eu/netwatch

Thank you for your attention! Yves Maisonny European Commission - Directorate-General for Research International Cooperation Directorate Email: yves.maisonny@ec.europa.eu Tel.: +32 2 29 85 724