Gianluca Rossi NCP INCO and FAFB Theme APRE Iacopo De Angelis NCP ICT 31 March 2010 ABEST II Workshop Roles of partners and partner search

The life cycle of an FP7 project Project idea Search for funding programme’s Create the Big Picture Find partners (and the role in the project) Prepare proposal Submit proposal Evaluation Contract Negotiation Implementation

....Role of the partners....Partner search Let’s talk about

Outline What is a good consortium? Which role can I play in a consortium? Where do I look for partners? How do I enhance my visibility?

A question What is a good consortium?

Experienced coordinator Scientists with track record Relevant expertise and skills Good infrastructure Ample resources Involvement of key staff Multidisciplinary Relevant stakeholders Good distribution of work Added value of each partner Previous collaborations …

Four typical roles Coordinator Work Package Leader 1 Task Leader 1.1 Task leader 1.2 Participant 2Participant 1 WP leader 2 … WP leader 3 Task leader 3.1 ….and responsability

Coordinator - preparation Design project set-up Build consortium Write proposal Invest in time and money!! Highest risk of proposal being rejected Highest level of involvement Not easy for beginners

Coordinator – management Overall leadership Motivating partners Checking progress Main contact with Commission Strong influence on the work being done High responsibility towards consortium Very time and energy consuming!

Work Package leader – preparation Smaller role than coordinator Usually part of the core group doing the writing Influence on work and outcome Focus on a dedicated key part of the project Still considerable investment in time and money High level of involvement Good option for more experienced FP7 participants

Work Package leader – management Role in project board Responsibility for a part of the project Strong role in reporting Motivating and controlling task leaders Not as time consuming as being coordinator Still high level of influence Traineeship for coordinator role

Task leader – preparation Small role in writing, if any (in coordination with WP leader) Dedicated to a focussed task Good role for specialists Low risk if proposal fails Low level of involvement Good entry point for ambitious beginners

Task leader – management Usually no role in daily management Responsible for own task Smaller role in reporting Motivating and controlling participants Some influence on the project management Traineeship for WP leaders

Participant – preparation Usually very little influence (but always comments and suggestion are welcome) Sometimes last minute addition Important to look after your own interests Virtually no risk if proposal fails An easy way to start an FP7 “career” Possibility to enter a already running project

Participant – management Usually one vote in General Assembly Not involved in daily management Small role in reporting own work Important to stay connected and involved Lowest level of responsibility Nice way to become familiar with FP projects

Two dimensions

How to choose your role? Variation in involvement and responsibility Based on your ambition and experience More involvement = more rewarding More involvement = more demanding Choose the role that fits your own strategy best!

....Role of the partners....Partner search Let’s talk about

Where to find partners Personal contacts –Use your own network first Check Cordis for running FP6 / FP7 projects –They are likely to do it again Visit info-days, seminars, conferences –Be active and out-going Advertise yourself –Register a profile in Cordis, APRE, IdealIST, FP7 projects partner search database.

Partner search

The purpose of a partner profile Make yourself, your lab, your company visible Advertise your interest in FP7 participation Attract the attention of coordinators

Don’t forget! A coordinator has very little time Your profile is your business card Your profile may be the only information a coordinator has on you Your profile is your FP7 resumé

What is a coordinator looking for? Technical or scientific expertise Complementarity Added value Capacity and adequate resources Adequate financial resources Long or medium term commitment A clear vision on FP7 role

Contents of a good profile Written in English! Written with care, no copy-paste! Clear and correct contact details Focussed, one form per topic Publications only relevant to the topic References to other (inter)national collaborations

Spread the news Upload profiles on the PS database Send to your national NCP Send to your network, friends, colleagues

Remember Think about the role you want to play Join a good consortium where you can add value Make sure you are visible to the outside world

MUCHAS GRACIAS! Gianluca Rossi NCP INCO & BIO APRE Iacopo De Angelis NCP ICT Tel