APRE 2013

www.apre.it

APRE

Agency for the Promotion of

the European Research

Supporting research stakeholders

over the last 20 years

MIRRIS, Warsaw, 5th of November 2014

Summary

APRE: role and functions

Our NCP eco-system

Activities in detail

Some Figures

Case study: SC2 Committe

APRE: ROLE AND FUNCTIONS

©APRE2013

The Italian NCP System :

APRE - the Agency for the Promotion of the

European Research

4

www.apre.it

WHAT IS APRE?

MISSION� Promoting and supporting Italian

participation to the EU Research and

Innovation programmes (R&I)

� Improve the “Quality” of the Italian

participation in European programmes for

R&I.

Italian non-profit research organisation

(PRIVATE)

1989 - created as a “Task Force” of the

Ministry of Education, University and

Research

25 years of experience

� Italy has 26 registered NCPs by the Commission.

� Full time job

� Most areas have 2 or 3 NCPs assigned

� Knowledge in EU/international Policies and EU

Research and Innovation Policies

� 28 - 40 years old

� Skills: Project Management, project drafting,

trainer skills, public speaking, law background

economic background, socio economic and

business skills;

� A few Key expertise in Engineering, and life sciences

Identikit of NCPs in APRE

OUR NCP ECOSYSTEM

� Overall coordination of NCP is assigned to MIUR

(Ministry for Education, University and Research).

� The NCPs are all employed by APRE (full time)

� APRE is not funded by MIUR

� APRE is supported through its associated members

and the participation to EU-funded NCP network

projects.

NCP coordination by the MINISTRY

Italian System settled by Ministry of Research for

H2020

9

MINISTRY

DG

Research

Dipl.

Advisor

EPR

D1 D2 D3D

13

D

14

AS

RPUE

Technical

Secretariat

INPUTS TO EC

Thematic National DELEGATES

Head of

Cabinet

UNIV

APRE

NCPsEXP

ad hoc

REGEnterp

rises

NCP14

APRE

ESP14a

ESP14b

ESP14c

ESP1a

ESP1b

ESP1c

NCP1

APRE

Source: MIUR http://hubmiur.pubblica.istruzione.it/web/ministero/cs300713

STRATEGY

APRE

Industrial Associations

Chambers of Commerce

Scientific centers

UniversitiesResearch Centres

Public Entities

Finance

More than 100

associated members

54 Universities

37 Public and Private Research organisations

4 Financial organisations

4 Chambers of Commerce

4 Science Parks

7 Public Authorities

5 Trade Associations

EuropeanCommission

EuropeanCommission

EuropeanParliamentEuropean

Parliament

ItalianRepresentative

Office in Belgium

ItalianRepresentative

Office in Belgium

ProgrammeCommitteesProgrammeCommittees

Ministry of University

and Research

Ministry of University

and Research

APRE(NCP)APRE(NCP)

Ministry of Economic

Development

Ministry of Agriculture,

Food and Forestry

Ministry of Environment,Protection of Land and Sea

Regions

Institutional

Interlocutors

APRE Helpdesks

To strengthen the cooperation at

local level,

to provide tailored services

responding to local needs

(+ regional funds and programmes)

Abruzzo

Basilicata

Calabria

Campania

Emilia Romagna

Friuli Venezia Giulia (Trieste)

Friuli Venezia Giulia (Udine)

Lombardia

Marche

Molise

Piemonte

Puglia

Sardegna

Sicilia Sportello dello stretto

(R.Calabria - Messina)

Toscana

Umbria

Veneto

NCP Constituency in Italy

NCP are the interface between applicants, Ministries and Commission.

They follow the guidance document published by the EC setting the minimum level of activities.

Applicants

� Targeted information and advice

� Pre-screening of proposals

� Organisation of information days/brokerages/trainings

Ministries

� Statistics and analysis of calls for proposals

� Support in preparation and implementation of FPs (rules, mechanisms, or even research agendas).

Commission

� act as experts in Programme Committees and WorkingGroups

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APRE LIASON OFFICE

Direct link with international stakeholders (European Institutions, liaison offices and research bodies , others)

Direct link with international stakeholders (European Institutions, liaison offices and research bodies , others)

Advocacy activitiesAdvocacy activities

Participation to EU events and information days (on their behalf, if needed!)

Participation to EU events and information days (on their behalf, if needed!)

Working groups/dossiersWorking groups/dossiers

Services

Bruxelles

Rome

APRE LIASON OFFICE in Brussels

� APRE has a Brussels office, hosted in an office with

main Research institutions in Italy.

� The office has a large contact network in Brussels

� and the main aim of its activities is to perform

business intelligence, follow and analyse

developments in the European research and

innovation system.

� Also, an important part is to proactively be engaged

in policy actions, in line with the interests of the

Italian research community.

International Experience

5FP

6FP

7FP~ 100 projects

~ 80 projects

~ 20 projects

Participation to international projects(as coordinator or partner- experience on the ground)

International Cooperation

ACTIVITIES IN DETAIL

Role & services for the Research & Innovation community

©APRE2013

NCP tasks in general

� Informing, awareness raising

� Advising and assisting

� Training

� Signposting and Feedback

Source: “Guiding principles for setting up systems of National Contact Points (NCP systems) for the Seventh EU Framework Programme on Research and Technological Development (FP7)”, EC

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APRE‘s services

� Circulate general and specific documentation on the EC

R&I programmes.

� Organise promotional activities in liaison with the

European Commission services (conferences,

information days, workshops and trainings on specific

thematic aspects of European R&D policy and different

Sectors (e.g. national road show with 8-10 stops in

different cities on SMEs measures)

� Raise awareness on EC’s specific objectives such as:

� increasing the participation of SMEs

� increasing the participation of women

� strengthening the link between science and ethics

and between science and civil society.

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Informing, Awareness Raising

Liaising with Europe

� Inform about local/regional activities to support

increased participation in H2020:

� e.g. financial support (vouchers) through grants for

proposal preparation; trainings given by regional

agencies to SMEs or academic institutions applying to

H2020 projects

� Providing SECRETARIAT Activities for Example: PPI

Alliance for Materials ( National Technology platform)

� Organise and coordinate high-level multi-actor

(universities, big companies) strategic discussions

and thematic Working Groups (WGs) on European

R&I issues, e.g.: 10 thematic WGs in 2013 to

contribute to the Italian position on H2020

Informing, Awareness Raising

Liaising with the national level

APRE COMMUNICATION CHANNELS

Web-siteWeb-site

NewsletterNewsletter

Facebook PageFacebook Page

PressPress

� Website with H2020 information (mainly in Italian - activities

broadcasted live and made available afterwards

� Communication: monthly newsletter on R&D programmes.

� Facebook page

The intranet service is dedicated to APRE associated members and allows

a two-way communication channel

The intranet service is dedicated to APRE associated members and allows

a two-way communication channel

Members can receive strategic information by using the intranet

service

Members can receive strategic information by using the intranet

service

The Intranet service helps in the “networking” activities as well!The Intranet service helps in the “networking” activities as well!

APRE Assistance and Information services – how?

[OUR DATABASE]

Database with more than

46.000 contacts

(APRE community)

categorised per:

� research themes of interest

� type of organisations/ city/

country/DATABASE

Send tailor-made mailingsto user groups

Follow up activities for

people registered to trainings and

events

Assess the activity done

for an organisation

Record of assistance for

each client

Publications

~ 20 Dossiers And FAQsAnd Annual monitoring report about Italian participation in FPs

Thematic:

� Personalised advice, guidance and support for applicants

through face-to-face meetings, telephone, webinars, skype

calls, email etc.

� Explain the scope and the modalities of the whole

spectrum of funding schemes to be used in H2020.

� Provide information and advise on the setting up of

appropriate administrative, management and legal

structures in international and multidisciplinary projects,

with a view of increasing in particular the participation of

smaller organisations and SMEs in Horizon 2020.

� Target oriented:

� Supporting EU project coordinators in Italy: annual NCP-

forum gathering all NCPs in meetings with EU Project

coordinators from universities and higher education

establishments.

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Assistance

� In recent years, the awareness of academic stakeholders

strongly increased regarding EU

funding opportunities. Several universities have therefore

developed strategies to increase their EU participation; own

structures to support identification of external research

funding opportunities have been put in place for example. An

estimation says that around 150-200 people at universities and

colleges throughout Italy work with support on research

funding and especially EU grants.

� These research officers at universities and research institutions

exchange information with each other systematically. They

organise regularly meetings to which NCPs frequently have

been invited in order to share information about the

Framework Programme

� Taken into account the importance of this network in ITALY

APRE has also taken the initiative to invite the network once or

2 times a year to a whole day meeting, offering activities such

workshops, trainings and latest information.

Strong link with Universities’ Grant Offices

� Assist in partner search activities among academic and private sectors

� organization of International brokerage events

� organization of bilateral meeting

� ad hoc Internet platform

Assistance

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[APRE RESOURCES – PARTNER RESEARCH]

From July 2010 a new

Partner Service

Partner Search Database &

Profile Database

http://partnersearch.apre.it/

A personal menu to

manage your data

A Quality system

New PS or profile on

line

Checked byNCP and APRE PS

team

The PS or profile is

publishedand

disseminated

Potentialpartnerssend EoI

The Proposer

send a reply forthe EoI

EEN NETWORK

APRE is a partner of the “Enterprise Europe Network”, created by the European Commission (DG Enterprise) in 2008

APRE is a partner of the “Enterprise Europe Network”, created by the European Commission (DG Enterprise) in 2008

a unique helpdesk dedicated to the following services:

1. information and assistance on R&I

2. support for transnational technology transfer (TTT)

3. signposting to other EEN partners concearning

internationalization issues

a unique helpdesk dedicated to the following services:

1. information and assistance on R&I

2. support for transnational technology transfer (TTT)

3. signposting to other EEN partners concearning

internationalization issues

1993

APRE became a

partner of the Value

Relay Centre

APRE became a partner of the Innovation Relay Centre (IRC)

1995 2000 2008

APRE has been official partner of CIRCE, Innovation Relay Centre of Central Italy

APRE is member partner of the Enterprise Europe Network

� Organise training sessions on R&I programmes for intermediaries and information multipliers to ensure high quality of advice.

� Organise training seminars for

� specific target groups (SMEs, universities, professional organisations, women in science etc.)

� or on specific topics (legal aspects, modalities for participation, research areas covered by several specific programmes, ethical rules etc.)

Source: “Guiding principles for setting up systems of National Contact Points (NCP systems) for the Seventh EU

Framework Programme on Research and Technological Development (FP7)”, EC

32

Training

� Give feedback to the Commission services on any

problems and difficulties in implementing and

participating in the FP

� Signpost to other Community business support

network services those potential participants who

require assistance

� Joint planning with EC of NCP activities and events

Source: “Guiding principles for setting up systems of National Contact Points (NCP systems) for the Seventh EU Framework

Programme on Research and Technological Development (FP7)”, EC

33

Signposting and Feedback

Strenghts of APRE’s NCP-System

� Coordination ONE Stop Shop

� Cooperation/synergy of funds (with

national/regional funding programmes)through

the helpdesks in the regions.

� Networking

� National level (Italian NCPs, Liaison Office, EU Officers

at universities, research institutes, industry)

� International (NCPs and NIPs)

� Participation (in political processes – as active

members in Programme Committees and

working groups) Preparation of and

participation in Programme Committee

meetings

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SOME FIGURES

APRE NCPs activities in the 7th FP(in 7 years in Italy)

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National launch of the call 118

Thematic info days 302

Participation to other events 376

Annual average: about 100 info days in Italy

Over 10 info days per month

Monthly Magazine 76

Weekly Newsletter 193

Visits to the website in 2012 over173.000

Contacted users through mailings over 46.000

Sent Mailing ~ 1800

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Advising & Assisiting People requiring assistance/advises ~ 78.000

Pre-screened proposal ~ 5300

Annual average: about 13.000 contacts

Over 1.000 contacts per month

Assistance for researchers to go global

38

Organised Brokerage events 28 *

Bilateral meetings ~ 5.700

* The data are inherent in the 2009-2012 period

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TrainingTraining organised by APRE ~ 80

Over 1.000 trained people

Trainings with APRE NCPs as trainers ~ 400

About 10.000 trained people

Over 11.000 trained people

International Trainings to EU and non EU NCPs

CASE STUDY

Italian Delegation for the SC2:

objectives, composition and strategy

6. Space

8. Health

12. Climate

1. HORIZONTAL CONFIGURATION

14 PROGRAMME COMMITTEE CONFIGURATIONS(provide Member States oversight and input into work programmes)

2. ERCMarie Curie,FET

3. Researchinfrastructure

s

4 . ICT

5. Nanotech,Materials,Biotech, Manufacturing

10. Energy

13. Inclusive societies

9. Bio-economy

11. Transport

14. Security

7. SMEs, Risk Finance

Governance – Horizon 2020

SC2 Italian Delegation Objectives

To facilitate the participation of Italian public and private R&D&I performers (but also

services and the society) in SC2 calls and to make it more successful, by providing

information, promoting aggregation and supporting topics that might entail a

successful Italian participation.

Overall with IT in % with IT in IT Position

No. proposals

submitted 2936 1660 56 3

No. Proposals

granted 502 313 62 4

Italian participation in KBBE FP7 calls (MIUR data, on 2007-2012 period)

Overall

assigned

Assigned to IT % assigned to IT IT Position

Budget (€ M) 1755 129 7 6

Overall Granted % on the all

granted

IT Position

IT Coordination 427

(2% SME) 27 6 6

SC2 Italian Delegation strategy:

composition

Representatives:

� Prof. Fabio Fava, Università di Bologna, Bologna

� Dott. Stefano Bisoffi, CRA, Roma (Alternate)

Experts:

� Dott.ssa Marina Montedoro, Min. Agriculture & JPI FACCE

� Ing. Giuseppina Monacelli, ISPRA & Min. Environment & JPI Water

� Dott.ssa Marina Leonardi, ENEA & Min Economical Dev, Roma

� Dott. Daniele Rossi, Federalimentare & Confindustria, Roma

� Dott.ssa Giovina Ruberti, CNR Roma & JPI HDHL

� Ing. PierPaolo Campostrini, CORILA Venezia & JPI Ocean

� Dott. Pierfrancesco Moretti, CNR, Brussels & JPI Ocean

� Dott.ssa Catia Bastioli, Bioeconomy Panel, European Commission

NCP

� Dott.ssa Serena Borgna, APRE, Roma

� Participating in the Programme Committee meetings (EU commission);

� Contributing to shaping content priorities in the relevant Work Programmes;

� Making the meeting reports available to all Representatives, Experts;

� Actively passing on important information to players in Italy (national, regional, sectorial);

� Participating in the draft of the national research plan (PNR)

� Participating in the regular exchange of the Representative for Horizontal Issues in H2020 (e.g.

gender, open access);

Major Representative’s role and activities

� Participating in the Programme Committee meetings if items on the agenda require the Experts’

specific expertise and/or if an added value for supporting the Italian delegation can be expected;

� Supporting the Representatives both with regard to content issues, and – by mutual agreement –

also with regard to technical-administrative issues (e.g. participating in reporting, or in organising

events)

� Actively passing on important information to players in Italy (national, regional, sectorial);

Expert’s role and activities

SC2 Italian Delegation strategy:

Consultation Board

Representative

+Experts

+NCP

DRAFT

Work Programme

National consultation

on R&D&I priorities

(by APRE)

Representatives from

Regions, Ministers.etc

Technology Clusters

IT Technology

Platforms,

Public/private associations

IT delegates in EU JPI, PPP

EIP, ETP,

KIC, ERANET,COST

1

“Consultation

Board”

Representative

+Experts

+NCP

European Innovation Partnerships,

EIPs

“AGRI” “WATER”

“RAW Materials”

IT delegates in HLG on KETs, ERA-

NETs (ANIHWA ARIMNET I-II, CORE

Organic, I-II e Plus, ERA CAPS,

ERASysBIO+, FORESTERRA, ICT-AGRI I-II,

C-IPM, RURAGRI Seasera, SUMFOREST,

SUSFOOD etc) and COSTs (“Food and

Agriculture”, “Forests, their Products and

Services”), Rete

Knowledge

Innovation

Comm, KICs

“Climate

Change”

Joint Programming Initiatives, JPIs

“Healthy Diet for Healthy

Life”,“Ocean for Tomorrow”, “FACCE”,

“Water Challenges”

Public-Private Partnerships PPPs, JTIs

“BBI” , “SPIRE”, “Connecting Climate

Knowledge for Europe”

Representatives of Italian

Regions, associations, etc

AISSA

Current IT SC2 “Consultation Board” composition

(open to other relevant organizations, associations, etc.)

National Technology Clusters/ projects

“Chimica Verde”

“AgroFood”

“Tecnologie per la mobilita' sostenibile

terrestre e marina”, RITMARE

Delegates IT in

ETPs

“Water &

sanitation”

National Technology Platforms:

“Food for Life”

“Plants for the Future”

“Forestry”

“SusChem Italy”

“Biofuels”

“Mare”

“Organic farming”

Rete interregionale per la ricerca

agraria, forestale, acquacoltura e pesca

The EU Bioeconomy stakeholder conference in IT

The 3rd EU Bioeconomy Conference “Is the Bioeconomy the silver bullet for the European

Economy?”, Turin, October, 8-10, 2014.

Objectives of the Conference: assessment of outcomes of Dublin Bioeconomy conference and

identification of the strategies for a successful deployment of the Bioeconomy in Europe.

Target audience: 250 attendees, Representatives of key EU stakeholders such as government

officials, industry players, NGOs, students, researchers, regional administrators, farmers and their

cooperatives, trade unions representatives and society at large.

Satellite events

�An event associated with EXPO 2015 on food security and safety, waste minimization and

exploitation, and sustainable food processing).

�The OECD event on “The role and impact of science and technology policies on bio-based

chemicals and bio-plastics”.

�Brokerage event on “The Financial and Innovation Value Chain in the Bio Economy”

Read the topic carefully:

• Technical content / scope

• Special features

• Expected impact

• Funding scheme

If you find « your topic »

� Select your partners on the basis of their quality/performances in FP7 project and

� of their actual contribution to the project

� synergies between entreprise and university/research/consumer

associations/services

� Do not wait: the connections are being made now

� Carefully read the assessment criteria and the

� instructions for the referees

� Allow sufficient time for asking an experienced person

� to preliminarly review the initial idea and the proposal

�

Suggestions for a successful participation (a)

Read the call carefully:

• Technical content / scope

• Special features

• Expected impact

• Funding scheme

If you don’t find « your topic »

• other parts of Horizon 2020

• input for next calls through

• Consultation Boards

• National consultations APRE members

• Organisation of/participation in workshops/position papers

• Meetings to strengthen collaborations with

groups from other countries

• National and European information days,

regional meetings

– The role of Detached National Experts (END)

Suggestions for a successful participation (b)

One stop shop;

Excellent Critical mass among NCPs due to sharingall issues;

being super partes/no links with specific researchorganizations;

financially independent from Ministry ;

strong connection and networks at National level;

Credibility ; reliablity for the time on the «scene».

Intensive contacts and trainings of Grants offices in all research institutions; Comitology:

work closely with Programme Committes on prioritarian research topics to be proposedPresenceon the Programme Committes; expertise is alsogained on the ground by our own participation

to FP projects: .

Focus on H2020; lack of in depth scientific expertise on the many issues in H2020;

APRE

Element of interest