Horizon 2020: its main novelties
On January 1, 2014, the first Horizon 2020 calls start. There are many novelties and changes in the operation and management of the Program. It is convenient to prepare now and have answers about the main unknowns and questions that H2020 has raised in recent months.
| What is it? | H2020 is the successor to the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) and the European Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP). H2020 will be the main instrument for supporting and financing research, technological development and innovation activities in Europe in the period 2014-2020. H2020 pursues the objectives set out in the European Europe 2020 strategy, aimed at transforming the Union into a “smart, sustainable and inclusive economy“, capable of responding to the major socio-economic challenges facing Europe. |
| When does it start? | In January 2014 |
| How is it structured? | H2020 is structured in three main Pillars, each with its own subprograms and instruments: Excellent Science: Aimed at supporting researchers and funding basic research actions. It includes, among others: Marie Curie actions, European Research Council, Future and Emerging Technologies.Industrial Leadership: Aimed at financing research, technological development and demonstration projects, as well as complementary actions to support specific groups (such as SMEs): Includes the instruments: Innovation in SMEs, Access to Venture Capital, Leadership in Enabling Industrial Technologies.Social Challenges: Seven transversal challenges that involve the combined use of technologies from different areas and the involvement of relevant actors in each of them. These challenges are based on the main social, economic and geostrategic priorities identified by the EU: Health, demographic change and well-beingFood health, sustainable agriculture, maritime research and bioeconomy.Clean, safe and efficient energy.Intelligent, efficient and integrated transport.Action for the climate, environment, efficient use of resources and raw materials.Inclusive, innovative and reflective societies.Secure societies: protecting the freedom and security of Europe and its citizens. |
| What is the budget in each Pillar? | The total budget of H2020 is more than 70,000 million euros, divided as follows: ·· Excellent Science (32% €22,000 M€) ·· Industrial Leadership (22% €16,000 M€) ·· Social Challenges (39% €27,000 M€) The rest is intended to finance Erasmus actions, the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) and science policies by and for society. |
| How can I participate? | Horizon 2020 allows the participation of any independent organisation legally established in any of the EU member countries. The implementation of H2020 is based on biannual Work Programs, which mark thematic priorities and call dates to be able to present projects on them. The official launch of the program will take place in November-December, and the first calls will take place from January 1, 2014. The most widespread form of participation is the collaborative project, through the formation of a consortium that includes different countries and entities of different nature (universities, industry, AA. PP, etc) |
| What is the role of SMEs in H2020? | SMEs have a very important role in the Program. 20% of the total budget of the Social Challenges and Industrial Leadership pillars is allocated to them. In addition, specific instruments have been created for them, such as the SME Instrument, which provides mechanisms to support the ideation, development and placing on the market of innovative products, together with other financing mechanisms (windows to facilitate access to risk capital) and specialized advice. |
| What is the funding obtained per project? | The H2020 funding type is non-repayable grant. The intensity of this aid depends on the type of entity and the type of action: For universities and non-profit organizations, a single funding rule is established, regardless of the type of action to be carried out, of 100% of all direct costs. Indirect costs receive 25% over direct costs (as a fixed rate), regardless of what the real ones are. For for-profit industrial organizations that participate in ‘Research Actions’ they will also obtain 100% of direct costs, plus 25% of indirect costs. While, for ‘Near Market Shares‘ the financing will be 70% direct, and 25% indirect. |
| What can I do to prepare for H2020? | Participation in European Programmes is not easy, it requires a lot of preparation and knowledge of the programmes, as well as the development of coherent participation strategies and a network of potential collaborating partners of high technical quality and trust. To help different organizations prepare, at RTDI we have developed two main services: Seminar “How to prepare to participate successfully in Horizon 2020“Eminently practical one-day seminar, in which the keys and specialized tools are provided so that any entity can define a preparation strategy to participate in said Program. It includes post-seminar tutorials with specialists and representatives of institutions in specific technological areas. To know more about the operation of the seminar you can consult the complete program – HERE. To know the next dates of teaching in Madrid and receive information about the registration write to us at info@rtdi.eu The Complete Guide “Horizon 2020 – The New Framework Programme for R&D+”: A specialized guide of more than 120 pages with the presentation of the new Programme, its structure, and a detailed description of its novelties and instruments, including the priority lines of research for which proposals may be submittedas well as bibliographic and information resources basic in each. The Guide will be published at the end of September, for € 27. It can be booked until September 30 with a 30% discount. You can reserve a copy by writing to us at info@rtdi.eu |