Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in the Seventh

Framework Programme

Networks of excellence

• NoEs are an instrument to overcome the fragmentation of the European research landscape in a given area

• Their purpose is to reach a durable restructuring/shaping and integration of efforts and institutions or parts of institutions

• The success of an NoE is not measured in terms of scientific results but by the extent to which the social fabric has changed due to the project for researchers and research institutions in a given field, and the extent to which the existing capacities become more competitive as a result of this change

What is a Network of excellence ?

The main activities of an NoE are integrating activities and activities to spread excellence– coordinated programming of the partners’ activities– sharing of research platforms/tools/facilities– joint management of the knowledge portfolio– staff mobility and exchanges– relocation of staff, teams, equipment– reinforced electronic communication systems– training researchers and other key staff– dissemination and communication activities– networking activities to help transfer knowledge – where appropriate, promoting the exploitation of the results

generated within the network– where appropriate, innovation-related activities– (project management)

An NoE may also carry out joint research activities to support its goals

What does a Network of excellence do ?

The Joint Programme of Activities (JPA) contains a range of “additional to normal business” activities:1. Integrating activities

• coordinated programming of the partners’ activities• sharing of research platforms/tools/facilities• joint management of the knowledge portfolio• staff mobility and exchanges• relocation of staff, teams, equipment• reinforced electronic communication systems

2. Activities to support the network’s goals• Development of new research tools and platforms for common use• Generating new knowledge to fill gaps in or extend the collective knowledge portfolio

3. Activities to spread excellence• training researchers and other key staff• dissemination and communication activities• networking activities to help transfer knowledge to outside of the network• where appropriate, promoting the exploitation of the results generated within the

network• where appropriate, innovation-related activities

4. Management activities

What does a Network of excellence do ?

1. Scientific and technical quality• Soundness of concept, and quality of objectives • Contribution to long-term integration of high

quality S/T research • Quality and effectiveness of the joint programme

of activities and associated work plan

Evaluation criteria - Networks of excellence

2. Implementation• Appropriateness of the management structure and

procedures• Quality and relevant experience of the individual

participants• Quality of the consortium as a whole (including

ability to tackle fragmentation of the research field and commitment towards a deep and durable institutional integration

• Adequacy of resources for successfully carrying out the joint programme of activities

Evaluation criteria - Networks of excellence

3. Impact• Contribution, at the European and/or international

level, to the expected impacts listed in the work programme under relevant topic/activity

• Appropriateness of measures for spreading excellence, exploiting results and disseminating knowledge through engagement with stakeholders

and the public at large

Evaluation criteria - Networks of excellence

Purpose: Durable integration of participants’ research activities

Target audience: research institutions, universities, Mainly indirectly: industry – through governing boards etc

Typical duration: 48-60 months (but indefinite integration!)

Average consortium: 18 participants (4-49 so far in FP7)

Total EU contribution: €4-15m (average around €7m)

Possibility for competitive calls for enlargement of consortium later

Networks of excellence

The research area is fragmented and would gain in excellence

by re-structuring; the participants intend to undertake a major effort to re-structure and re-organise the way research in the area is carried out in Europe and they will establish a durable integration of their research capacities

A proposal for ad hoc co-operation - no evidence of durable

integration. The participants are going to continue to work as they have always done, without significant changes of structures and organisations

Networks of excellence