FP7 National Contact Points: Assistance during the proposal preparation Friday 31 st August, 2012 Anthea Fabri FP7 NCP Coordinator.

FP7 National Contact Points:Assistance during the proposal

preparation

Friday 31st August, 2012

Anthea FabriFP7 NCP Coordinator

EU Funding …

Am I eligible for Funding?

Participation in FP7 is open to any individual & organisation: Any company, university, research centre, government or other legal entity established in:– a Member State (MS);– Associated Country (AC);– International Cooperation Country;– Industrialised high-income countries - may

participate provided that the minimum conditions have been met.

Conditions for participation

• Minimum condition: at least 3 independent participants from 3 different MS or AC.

• Additional conditions: established in the work programme.

Structure of a Structure of a ProposalProposal

Submission Formalities

• Fixed deadlines:– At 17:00 (Brussels time);– Deadline specified on Work Programme

(different for every call)

• Electronic submission only:– Through the Electronic Proposal

Submission System (EPSS).

Proposal Structure

PART A(Administration

Forms)

PART B (Proposal Content)

Part A …(1/2)

• A1: General information on the Proposal (title, abstract, keywords);

• A2: Information on the consortium – one form per partner (person in charge, contact details, organisation legal status…)

• A3: Cost breakdown (summary of all costs allocated to partners).

Part A …(2/2)

• Online filling of set Forms.• If an organisation already has a

Participant Identification Code (PIC) number, most of the information in the A2 form will appear automatically.

• The PIC number is obtained by registering in the Unique Registration Facility (URF).

Part B (PDF format only) 1/2• Template Form available on EPSS.• Submitted in PDF format only.• Part B – directly linked to the

evaluation criteria.• Section lengths recommended.

Part B 2/2

• B1: Scientific and Technical Quality;• B2: Implementation;• B3: Impact;• B4: Ethical Issues.

How can National How can National Contact Points help Contact Points help you?you?

Malta Council for Science & Technology• As the National Contact Point

Organisation, we offer advice & information on all aspects of FP7.

• Objective: Strengthening Malta’s participation in the FP7 Programme.

• We have appointed an NCP for every thematic & horizontal area in FP7.

• Every local NCP is part of a NCP network at European level.

How can National Contact Points (NCPs) help you?• NCPs are the official providers of advice &

individual assistance in all Member States and Associated Countries.

• National Structures set up & financed by the Government.

• European Commission provides the necessary information, training and act as moderators for trans-national networking.

NCP Support

• Providing high quality support for organisations that wish to participate in FP7 projects.

• Hand-holding participants through all stages from Proposal submission to final reporting.

• Circulating information from the Commission through our database.

• Organising promotional activities, information sessions & training events.

NCP Support

• Provide feedback on your project ideas.

• Help you find partners throughout Europe.

• Advise and assist in funding schemes used in FP7 & administrative procedures including legal and financial issues.

• Assist new actors in “finding their way” through FP7.

How do I find Project How do I find Project Partners?Partners?

How to find the winning team?

• Use your own network!

• Cordis Partner Search Tool

• Key players in FP:– cordis.europa.eu/fp6/projects.html – cordis.europa.eu/fp7 projects_en.html

• FP7 Conferences / Brokerage Schemes

• NCPs!!

The NEW Cordis Partner Search Tool

Finding Entities proposing Projects

What’s in it for What’s in it for you?you?

What’s in it for you? (1/2)

• FP7 provides a unique opportunity to share knowledge, experience and facilities across Europe.

• It helps you get your first pick at licensing patents since all knowledge generated by you during the project is yours!

• It offers the opportunity for Research Institutions to gain a competitive edge through transnational knowledge.

• It increases your international networks and contacts, thus creating synergies and learning from an international arena of other excellent partners.

What’s in it for you? (2/2)

• Offers researchers the opportunity to tackle global research challenge.

• Offers individual researchers the chance to take advantage of development opportunities.

• It enables you to widen your field of expertise, which gives you access to new technologies.

• On a personal level being successful in FP looks good on your CV and Coordinators look for partners that did well in other projects.

• To finance your research idea.

Helpful Tips for Helpful Tips for Success!Success!

for success… 1/3

• Show both Innovation & Exploitation potential.

• Be familiar with the Work Programme.

• Involve experienced partners in your consortium – Critical Mass (balance: expertise, involvement & geographical distribution).

• Partnership & Management must be tailored to suit the project objectives & size by highlighting expertise & achievements.

for success… 2/3

• Make the Proposal compelling for a busy reader – first 5-10 pages are key!

• It helps if you have some members of your staff (not involved in its preparation) to pre-evaluate your Proposal.

• Divide your effort over the Evaluation Criteria: S&T Quality, Implementation, and Impact.

• Think of the finishing touches signalling Quality Work: follow the Part B structure, use clear language and well-organised contents.

for success… 3/3

• Make it easy for the Evaluators to give you high marks! Be clear, to the point & convincing – leave nothing to the imagination! Therefore, make it pleasant for the evaluator to read & comprehend.

• Make the Proposal look attractive use understandable diagrams / graphs / pictures.

• Speak to your NCP!

MCST Scheme: Brokerage Event Support Scheme

Objective of Scheme•To facilitate participation of Maltese entities in FP7 through participation in brokerage events and meetings held in preparation of project proposals.

MCST Scheme: Brokerage Event Support Scheme

Conditions•MCST will reimburse the cost of the flight (capped at €500) together with a flat rate of €100 / night as a contribution to accommodation and subsistence.

MCST Scheme: Brokerage Event Support Scheme

More information:http://www.mcst.gov.mt/fp-funding/news