Erasmus+

Knowledge Alliances

Presentation outline:

• What is a Knowledge Alliance?• Timetable• Key features of a Knowledge Alliance• What do Knowlegde Alliances support?• Priorities adressed in 2014 Call• Topics adressed in 2014 Call• What are the goals of Knowledge Alliances?• Who can benefit?• Partnership composition and the roles of the participating organizations• What financial support is available?• How to write a successful proposal• Projects selected in 2014 Call• How to apply? – KTH internal procedures• How are proposals selected?• Grading• Award criteria• What else to know about Knowledge Alliances?• What happens if your proposal is selected?• More info and contact

What is a Knowledge Alliance?

Knowledge Alliances are transnational, structured and result-driven projects, notably between higher education and business.

Knowledge Alliances are open to any discipline, sector and to cross sectorial cooperation. The partners share common goals and work together towards mutually beneficial results and outcomes.

Knowledge Alliances are meant to have a short and long-term impact on the wide range of stakeholders involved, at individual, organizational and systemic level.

Knowledge Alliances target the cooperation between organizations established in Programme Countries. However, organizations from Partner Countries can be involved in a Knowledge Alliance as partners (not as applicants) if their participation brings an essential added value to the project.

Timetable

Step Date

Publication of the call for proposals

October 2014

E-form Guidelines published December 2014

Deadline for submission 26 February 2015

Evaluation period 5 months

Information to applicants July/August 2015

Start date of action 1 November 2015

Key features of a Knowledge Alliance:

Innovation in higher education and innovation through higher education in enterprises and their socio-economic environment: innovation is considered as state-of-the-art project-specific and related to the partnerships context and analyzed needs.

Sustainability of university-business cooperation. A strong and committed partnership with a balanced participation from enterprises and higher education institutions are pivotal for the success of Knowledge Alliances. The role and contribution of each participating organization and associate partner have to be specific and complementary.

Impact going beyond the project's lifetime and beyond the organizations involved in the Alliance. It is expected that partnership and activities persist. Changes in higher education institutions and enterprises have to be measurable. Results and solutions have to be transferable and accessible to a broader audience.

What does it support?

Knowledge Alliances implement a coherent and comprehensive set of interconnected activities which are flexible and adaptable to different, current and future, contexts and developments across Europe. The following list provides examples of group of activities:

Boosting innovation in higher education, business and in the broader socio-economic environment;

• Jointly developing and implementing new learning and teaching methods (like new multidisciplinary curricula, learner-centered and real problem-based teaching and learning)

• Organizing continuing educational programmes and activities with and within companies

• Jointly developing solutions for challenging issues, product and process innovation (students, professors and practitioners together).

What does it support? ctd.

Developing entrepreneurship mind-set and skills;

• Creating schemes of transversal skills learning and application throughout higher education programmes developed in cooperation with enterprises aiming at strengthening employability, creativity and new professional paths;

• Introducing entrepreneurship education in any discipline to provide students, researchers, staff and educators with the knowledge, skills and motivation to engage in entrepreneurial activities in a variety of settings;

• Opening up new learning opportunities through the practical application of entrepreneurial skills, which can involve and/or lead to the commercialization of new services, products and prototypes, to the creation of start-ups and spin-offs.

What does it support? ctd.

Stimulating the flow and exchange of knowledge between higher education and enterprises;

• Study field related activities in enterprises which are fully embedded in the curriculum, recognized and credited;

• Set-ups to trial and test innovative measures;

• Exchanges of students, researchers, teaching staff and company staff for a limited period;

• Involvement of company staff teaching and research.

Knowledge Alliances may organize mobility activities of students, researchers and staff in so far as they support/complement the other activities of the Alliance and bring added value in the realization of the project's objectives.

Priorities adressed in 2014. OBS! Old call!

Horizontal priorities Knowledge Alliances:

• Fostering the assessment of transversal skills• Promoting the take-up of practical entrepreneurial experiences in

education, training and youth work• Promoting the professional development of staff and youth workers in

ICT methodologies• Supporting the production and adoption of Open Educational

Resources in diverse European languages• Facilitating the validation of non-formal and informal learning and its

permeability with formal education pathways

Sectoral priorities Knowledge Alliances:

• Contributing to the modernization of Europe’s higher education systems as outlined in the 2011 EU Modernization Agenda

• Developing partnerships between education and employment

Topics adressed in 2014. OBS! Old call!

In the 2014 Call there were 46 topics (out of which 3 to adress in the proposal).

For a full list of these topics please see;

https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/sites/eacea-site/files/documents/instructions_eplus_ka_en.pdf

What are the goals of Knowledge Alliances?

The purpose of Knowledge Alliances is to strengthen Europe’s innovation capacity by fostering innovation in higher education via balanced, two-way knowledge exchange with enterprises and across the broader socio-economic environment. They implement a coherent and comprehensive set of interconnected activities through transnational structured partnerships, Knowledge Alliances will:

• Develop new, innovative and multidisciplinary approaches to teaching and learning;

• Stimulate entrepreneurship and the entrepreneurial skills of students, academics and company staff;

• Facilitate the exchange, flow and co-creation of knowledge.

What are the goals of Knowledge Alliances? ctd.

In addition, in line with the annual Work Programme adopted by the Commission, priority will be given to projects that contribute to the modernization of Europe's Higher Education Systems as outlined in the 2011 EU Communication on the Modernization Agenda for Higher Education.

Knowledge Alliances aim to:

• Increase attainment levels;

• Improve the quality and relevance of higher education;

• Strengthen quality through mobility and cross-border cooperation;

• Make the knowledge triangle (research, education, innovation) work; improve governance and funding

Who can benefit from it?

A participating organization can be any public or private organization established in a Programme Country or in any Partner Country of the world. For example, such an organization can be:

• A higher education institution• A public or private, small, medium or large enterprise (including

social enterprises)• A research institute• A public body at local, regional or national level• An organization active in the field of education, training and youth• An intermediary or association which represents education, training

or youth organizations• An intermediary or association which represents enterprises• An accreditation, certification or qualification body

Higher education institutions established in a Programme Country must hold a valid Erasmus Charter for Higher Education (ECHE).

Partnership composition and the roles of the participating organizations

A minimum of 6 organizations from at least 3 Programme Countries, of which there must be a minimum of 2 higher education institutions and a minimum of 2 independent enterprises as full partners.

Applicant/coordinator: a participating organization that submits the project proposal on behalf of all the partners. The coordinator has the full responsibility to ensure that the project is implemented in accordance with the agreement. Its coordinating covers the following duties:

• Represents and acts on behalf of the Alliance towards the European Commission;

• Bears the financial and legal responsibility for the proper operational, administrative and financial implementation of the entire project;

• Coordinates the Alliance in cooperation with project partners.

Partnership composition and the roles of the participating organizations ctd.

Full partners are those participating organizations which contribute actively to the achievement of the Knowledge Alliance's objectives. Each full partner must sign a mandate to confer to the coordinating organization the responsibility of acting as main beneficiary and act in his name during the implementation of the project. If relevant, the same applies for partners from Partner Countries.

Associated partners (optional): Knowledge Alliances can involve associated partners who contribute to the implementation of specific project tasks/activities or support the dissemination and sustainability of the Alliance. For contractual management issues, “associated partners” are not considered as part of the project partners, and they do not receive funding. However their involvement and role in the project and different activities have to be clearly described.

What financial support is available?

• Maximum EU contribution awarded for a 2-year Knowledge Alliance: 700 000 EUR

• Maximum EU contribution awarded for a 3-year Knowledge Alliance: 1 000 000 EUR

• Financial contributions from the EU are calculated using fixed scale of unit costs.

• These unit costs have been calculated in a way that the co-funding is inherent to them, i.e. already incorporated.

What financial support is available? ctd.

Implementation support (such as project meetings, conferences, travel, tools, analyses etc.):

Unit costs for Sweden (amounts in Euro per day)

Manager Teacher/Trainer/Researcher/

Technician Administrative staff

353 289 228 189

* Staff must have a signed contract with the employee and must be listed in the application.

For other Programme and Partner countries please see Programme guide pp. 130-131

What financial support is available? ctd.

Additional funding rules for mobility activities realized within a knowledge alliance (optional funding);

Travel:• For distances between 100 and 1999 KM: 275 EUR per participant• For distances of 2000 KM or more: 360 EUR per participant

Subsistence costs for staff:• Activities up to the 14th day of activity: 100 EUR per day per participant• Between the 15th and 60th day of activity: 70 EUR per day per

participant

Subsistence costs for learners:• Activities up to the 14th day of activity: 55 EUR per day per participant• Between the 15th and 60th day of activity: 40 EUR per day per

participant

How to write a successful proposal:

Knowledge Alliances are a highly competitive part of Erasmus+. Common attributes of successful proposals are:

• Reliable relations between higher education institutions and enterprises: Knowledge Alliances have to demonstrate the commitment and added value of all partners, whereby strong and balanced involvement from both the business and higher education sectors is essential. A well designed proposal is the result of close cooperation between the prospective partners;

• Their innovative and transnational character, visible across all criteria.

A proper needs-analysis clarifies the rationale, influences the selection of partners, makes the proposal specific, helps to raise the potential for impact and ensures that end-user and target groups are well involved in the project activities.

Tips from Infoday in Brussels Nov. 12th –How to impress selection experts?

• Coherent issues, solutions, target groups, activities, budget.

• Evidence-based needs analysis.• Clear objectives, solutions, outputs.• Rigorous planning; what, when, how long, with what

resources.• Explicit; no information taken for granted.• Concise; efficient, more is not always better!• Circumscribe; focus on a specific issue

Tips from Infoday in Brussels Nov. 12th –Recurrent weaknesses to avoid

• Objectives; lack of information on how the proposal is meeting the KA objectives. If they are there – they should not come from the HEI only.

• Consortium composition; too few companies actively involved. Involved companies show too little committment to be able to set up a long lasting alliance.

• Needs analysis; lack of adequate, detailed and convincing explanation.

• State-of-the-art innovation; lack of information on innovation. Information should not be based on the lead partner’s own experience.

• Impact sustainability; don’t underestimate the importance of defining proper impact and a sustainability strategy.

• Exploitation of results; should not be weak or undefined.• Sustainability; don’t forget review of project results, update

conclusions and maintain project web site.

Projects slected in the 2014 Call

Country Applicant organisation Project title Maximum EUgrant €

ITALY UNIVERSITA DI PISA European Network of Design for Resilient Entrepreneurship

695.277

CYPRUS GRANTXPERT CONSULTING LTD

A European University-Business Alliance aiming to foster young SCIEntists’ ENTrepreneurial spirit

991.778

FRANCE CHAMBRE DE COMMERCE ET DE L'INDUSTRIE DE VAUCLUSE

European Foodbusiness Transfer Laboratory for stimulating entrepreneurial skills, for fostering innovation and for business creation in the Food Sector

999.888

Projects slected in the 2014 Call ctd.

Country Applicant organization Project title Maximum EUgrant €

AUSTRIA UNIVERSITAET FUER BODENKULTUR WIEN

European Food Studies & Training Alliance

988.081

IRELAND LOUTH COUNTY ENTERPRISE BOARD

SME and Higher Education Institutes in Innovation Partnerships

563.362

AUSTRIA WIRTSCHAFTSUNIVERSITAT WIEN

Competencies for A sustainable Socio Economic development

909.418

FINLAND TURUN AMMATTIKORKEAKOULU OY

Framework for Innovation Competencies Development and Assessment

991.859

Projects slected in the 2014 Call ctd.

Country Applicant organisation Project title Maximum EUgrant €

ITALY LINK CAMPUS UNIVERSITY

Textile and Clothing Knowledge Alliance. Future textile and clothing managers for export, marketing, innovation, sustainability and entrepreneurship oriented companies.

620.431

LITHUANIA VILNIAUS UNIVERSITETAS PROMOTE - Promoting and Validating Key Competences in Mobility and Traineeships in Europe

699.913

Interested ? – contact us asap

– December/January: hands on sessions for the support of specific project proposals

– Contact with KIR for routines and further support

– Different levels of support

– Approval from school level + Project abstract

How are propsoals selected?All project proposals are assessed by the Executive Agency receiving the application, exclusively on the basis of the criteria described in the ERASMUS+ Programme Guide

The assessment implies:

• A formal check to verify that the eligibility and exclusion criteria are respected• A quality assessment to evaluate the extent to which the participating

organisations meet the selection criteria and the project meets the award criteria. Such quality assessment is carried out with the support of independent experts.

The quality of eligible applications will be assessed on the basis of the following criteria:

• Relevance of the proposal• Quality of the project design and implementation• Quality of the project team and the cooperation arrangements• Impact and dissemination.

Grading of proposals

Max points Min threshold

Relevance of the proposal 25 13

Quality of the project design and implementation

30 16

Quality of the project team and the cooperation arrangements

25 13

Impact of the dissemination 20 11

Total 100 70

*Last year proposals in the range of 81-96 points were selected for funding

Award criteria - Relevance

• Purpose: the proposal is relevant to the objectives of the Action (see section "What are the aims and priorities of a Knowledge Alliance");

• Consistency: the objectives are based on a sound needs analysis; they are clearly defined, realistic and address issues relevant to the participating organizations and to the Action;

• Innovation: the proposal considers state-of-the-art methods and techniques, and leads to project-specific innovative results and solutions;

• European added value: the proposal demonstrates clearly the added value generated through its trans nationality and potential transferability;

Award criteria - Quality of the project design and implementation• Configuration: the proposed Knowledge Alliance involves an appropriate mix of

higher education and business partners with the necessary profiles, skills, experience, expertise and management support required for its successful realization;

• Commitment: each participating organization demonstrates full involvement corresponding to its capacities and specific area of expertise;

• Partnership: contributions of higher education and business partners are significant, pertinent and complementary;

• Collaboration/Team spirit: the proposal includes clear arrangements and responsibilities for transparent and efficient decision-making, conflict resolution, reporting and communication between the participating organisations;

• Involvement of Partner Countries: if applicable, the involvement of a participating organization from a Partner Country brings an essential added value to the project (if this condition is not fulfilled, the project will not be considered for selection).

Award criteria - Impact and dissemination

• Exploitation: the proposal demonstrates how the outcomes will be used by the partners and other stakeholders. It provides means to measure exploitation within project lifetime and after;

• Dissemination: the proposal provides a clear plan for the dissemination of results, and includes appropriate activities, tools and channels to ensure that the results and benefits will be spread effectively to the stakeholders and non-participating audience within and after the project’s lifetime;

• Impact: the proposal shows societal and economic relevance and outreach. It provides pertinent measures to monitor progress and assess the expected impact (short and long-term);

• Open access: If relevant, the proposal describes how the materials, documents and media produced will be made freely available and promoted through open licenses, and does not contain disproportionate limitations;

• Sustainability: the proposal includes appropriate measures and resources to ensure that the partnership, project results and benefits will be sustained beyond the project lifetime.

What else to know about Knowledge Alliances?

• Quality assurance must be an embedded project component to ensure that Knowledge Alliances successfully deliver the expected results and achieve an impact going far beyond the partner organisations themselves.

• Knowledge Alliances are required to accomplish targeted dissemination activities which reach out to stakeholders, policy makers, professionals and enterprises. Along the way Knowledge Alliances should deliver publications such as reports, handbooks, guidelines, etc. Where appropriate, results should be made available as open educational resources (OER) as well as on relevant professional, sectorial or competent authorities' platforms.

• Knowledge Alliances should generate new ways and instruments to facilitate their collaboration and ensure that the partnership between higher education and business persists.

What else to know about Knowledge Alliances? ctd.

• Knowledge Alliances are a recent and ambitious Action; they are subject to a particular monitoring which requires active participation from all participants and stakeholders.

• Knowledge Alliances should foresee their participation in thematic clusters to support cross-fertilization, exchange of good practices and mutual learning.

• Knowledge Alliances should budget for the presentation of their project and the results at the University-Business Forum and/or other relevant events (up to four during the project duration).

What happens if your proposal is selected?

All applicants will receive a written notification of the outcome of the selection procedure as well as feedback on the evaluation of their application. For applications that have been selected for EU co-financing the EACEA will contact the applicants if any further action is required before awarding the contract. EACEA will produce a grant agreement detailing the conditions and the level of co-funding.

For further details please refer to Part C of the ERASMUS+ Programme Guide

Internal KTH Handläggningsordning for implementation support

Further info and contacts

Erasmus+ Knowledge Alliances call for proposals: http://

eacea.ec.europa.eu/erasmus-plus/funding/knowledge-alli

ances-sector-skills-alliances-2015_en

Erasmus+ Programme Guide 2015:

http://

ec.europa.eu/programmes/erasmus-plus/documents/eras

mus-plus-programme-guide_en.pdf

KTH Contact person:

Mette Svensson; mettesv@kth.se