The Eureka Eurostars Programme

Transcription

1 The Eureka Eurostars Programme 29/03/2011 Terence O Donnell, Eureka National Project Co-ordinator

2 What is EUREKA? > 2 > EUREKA is a public network supporting R&D-performing businesses > Established in 1985 by French President Mitterrand and German Chancellor Kohl Intergovernmental initiative (39 Members EU 26, European Commission + 11 other European countries) Financed using national public and private funding Market-oriented (Projects must result in a marketable product, process or service) Bottom-up (The consortium decides on the project aim. No thematic restriction) Since 1985, 26 billion euro of public-private investment has been mobilised to support some 3,100 EUREKA projects

3 What is EUREKA? > 3 EUREKA supports THREE types of projects Cluster Projects Long-term, strategically-significant initiatives Large number of participants, many from Europe s major companies Develop generic technologies of key importance to European competitiveness Individual Projects (eg. E!1782; E!1784) Small, shorter-term projects Involve participants from at least two member countries Result in a product, process or service with a significant advance in their sector Eurostars Projects Small, short-term projects, involving participants from at least two member countries Consortium leader is an R&D-performing SME Programmed jointly with the European Commission

4 The Eurostars Programme

5 The Eurostars Programme > 5 > The Eurostars Programme is the first European funding and support programme to be specifically dedicated to R&D performing SMEs. It s a multi-annual joint programme ( ), which combines: > National R&D programmes from 32 countries (300 M committed) > FP7 (up to 100 M committed) > EUREKA Secretariat (20+ years of experience in national R&D programmes coordination)

6 Eurostars members countries > 6 status May 2010 Austria Belgium Bulgaria Croatia Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France Germany Greece Hungary Iceland Ireland Israel Italy Latvia Lithuania Luxembourg The Netherlands Norway Poland Portugal Romania Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden Switzerland Turkey United Kingdom

7 The Eurostars process

8 How does Eurostars Work? > 8 > Two cut-off dates for applications per year > On-line Application > > Register with Eurostars to access > What is required? > Completed application form > Certified Annual financial report or Business Plan > Draft consortium agreement > Ranking list produced from Evaluation at European level > National agencies fund according to the ranking list (to the limit of the national budgets)

9 Eligibility criteria > 9 Consortium leader is an R&D-performing SME* All SMEs fulfil the European definition of an SME At least 2 participants from Eurostars members Project duration is is less than 3 years Market introduction is foreseen within 2 years after project completion The R&D performing SMEs are undertaking at least 50% of total R&D cost Well balanced partnership (no country responsible for more than 75% of the project costs) All participants are legal entities Project has a civilian purpose and is aimed at the development of a new product, process or service * 10% FTE dedicated to R&D or 10% turnover dedicated to R&D

10 Central evaluation process > Weeks from cut-off date to communication of results Next cut-off dates Cut-off 7: 22 September 2011 Cut-off 8: 01 March 2012

11 Evaluation Criteria > 11 Basic Assessment > Well balanced partnership; > Added value through cooperation > Technological capacity of all participants > Managerial capacity of all participants > Methodology and planning > Milestones and deliverables > Cost and financing structure > Financial commitment of each participant Technology and Innovation > Degree of technological maturity or risk > Technological achievements envisaged > Degree of innovation > Technological progress performed in the project by the SME > Geographical and/or sector impact Market and Competitiveness > Market size > Market access and risk > Time to market > Return on investment > Market potential for SMEs > Strategic importance of the project > Enhanced capabilities and visibility for the participants

12 National Funding Guidelines > 12 > Allowable Costs, grant rates, etc. are determined by National rules may differ in different countries. > All applicants are strongly encouraged to contact their Eurostars National Project Co-ordinator before applying. > In Ireland: > For established companies costs and funding are in line with EI R&D fund, > 50% grant rate for SMEs, > large R&D project - 450,000 maximum grant, > small R&D project - 150,000 maximum grant. > Early stage & start-up companies may be funded through equity funding. > Participants from Third level Institutes only funded if there is an Irish company as part of the consortium. > Companies must have the resources to fund their 50% of project costs. > National Authorities are required to submit an opinion on the capability of a participant to fund its portion of the project costs.

13 Eurostars Results

14 What is the typical make-up of a consortium? > 14 Cut-Off1 Cut-Off2 Cut-Off3 Cut-off4 Cut-Off5 Average Cost Average participants per project Average countries per project Average Duration (months)

15 What type of participants? > % Eurostars Participant Type overview 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% Other University Research Institute Large company SME 20% 10% 0% Cut-Off 1 Cut-Off 2 Cut-Off 3 Cut-Off 4 Cut-Off 5

16 % What is the profile of SME participants? > 16 Eurostars & Individual Projects SMEs Profile Number of Employees 50% 45% 40% 46% 44% 35% 39% 30% 0-9 employees 25% 31% employees 20% employees 15% 23% 10% 17% 5% 0% Individual Projects (Running & Finished) Eurostars (Approved C0 1-4) 3 out of ten SMEs are between 0 & 9 employees in Individual Projects vs 4 out of 10 in Eurostars The highest proportion of SMEs are between 10 & 49 employees in both programmes

17 What technical areas? > % Eurostars Tech Areas overview 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% Agrofood Agriculture Safety Technology Energy Industrial Biotech ICT 10% 0% Cut-off 1 Cut-off 2 Cut-off 3 Cut-off 4 Cut-off 5

18 # applications What is the success rate? > COD1 COD2 COD3 COD4 COD5 Applications Received Applications Eligible Applications Above Threshold Projects funded COD = Cut-off date

19 Summary: Eurostars Strengths > 19 > SME led projects must be led by an R&D performing SME > Close to Market R&D must result in a product with 2 years from project end. > Simple consortia minimum 2 entities from 2 different Eurostars member countries > Bottom-up no themed calls, projects can be in any area

20 Thank you for your attention! > 20 Guidelines for applicants > Download PDF at

21 National Support Support available in all countries through the network of National Project Co-ordinators (NPC) Irish National Project Co-ordinator NPC Support Terence O Donnell terence.odonnell@enterprise-ireland.com Information on the operation of the programme and National funding rules. Advice on consortium composition Advice on proposal submission, eligibility, evaluation, etc. Liaison with other NPCs Advice on national funding Help with partner searching All applicants are strongly encouraged to contact their Eurostars National Project Co-ordinator before applying.