Managing a European Project Elaine Groom & Patricia McCrory QUESTOR Centre, Queen’s University of Belfast

Contents Very brief introduction to QUESTOR and our European Project experience What does winning an EU grant mean to you? Basic tips Managing everyone’s expectations Communications – a key issue Some examples of issues from current projects

QUESTOR – Brief History Industry/University Co-operative Research Centre Founded in 1989, based on a successful US model Sustained industry membership partnered with academic research expertise in ten partner institutions: –QUB, AFBI and others in UK, DCU and DkIT in Ireland, Germany, USA, Canada and now China QUESTOR leverages over €1.8M per year for research driven by the needs of member companies and organisations –Funding: local, national and (increasingly) European sources

An International Network of Partners and Members

Applications for European Funding at May 2011 (need to update) Research for SMEs (CRAFT); IP; STREP; CA; Asia-Pro-Eco; Europe Aid; RoK; IEE; Marie Curie ITN & IAPP

Shifting Your Perspectives Your success is…. –A ‘grant’ to carry out ‘your’ research or develop ‘your’ product? –A contract to deliver a defined piece of research or a prototype to the EU? Who are you….? –The “Scientific Coordinator” –The Project Manager –Busy running a small company Begin with the right end in mind

Planning for Success Build relationships Deadlines – what, who, how, when Use templates where possible –Collecting information – specification of need –Reporting –Preparation of deliverable reports Project management software – e.g. EMDESK What sort of a Coordinator will you be?

Milestones, Deliverables and Deadlines Establish good rapport with your Project Officer and with NCPs Flag up possible issues early and discuss options for variation if needed Make sure your projects meets deadlines – before the deadline Manage quality but don’t be a perfectionist

Managing Expectations “Pilot plant” (€200,000)“Pilot plant” (€20,000) Belgian Partner – Investment €2.5M

Key issue: communication Who, what, when, how, how often? Beware overload: Establish rules: –“For your information” –“Immediate Action Required” –“Please respond by…” –“Please file for future reference”

Managing Partner Diversity

FP7 Marie Curie Initial Training Network Academic Partners: QUB, DCU, UDE, IWW, CRA (14 PhDs & 2 Post Docs) Industrial Partners: NI Water, TE Laboratories Ltd & QUESTOR Members Funding: €3.5M Dates: 1 st Dec to 30 th Nov Advanced Technologies for Water Resource Management Hosts: 7 Partners from QUESTOR Network

ATBEST - Advanced Technologies for Biogas Efficiency Sustainability & Transport

Successful outcomes depend upon… A common vision –Product / Process / Other –What are the measures of success? Building trust and relationships – teamwork –Get to know your partners, meet early and often –Ensure ‘European dimension’ to the research works Managing expectations and shifting perspectives No ‘magic formula’ Most of all - detailed planning and common sense

Thank you for your attention Contact Details: The QUESTOR Centre David Keir Building Stranmillis Road Belfast, BT9 5AG Tel: +44(0)