Regional dimension of the 7th Framework Programme : Regions of Knowledge Research Potential Vilnius, Anna Rémond DG RTD B4 : Regions of Knowledge & Research Potential

FP – 2013 Cooperation – Collaborative research Ideas – Frontier research People – Human Potential Capacities – Research Capacity + JRC (non-nuclear) JRC (nuclear) Euratom

7th Framework Programme specific programme "Capacities“ Indicative budget (M€) 7th Framework Programme : Programme Capacities : Research Infrastructures: Research for the benefit of SMEs: Regions of Knowledge: 126 Research Potential: 340 Science in Society: 330 Coherent development of research policies 70 Activities of International Cooperation: 180

I. A better consideration for regions in EU R&D Policy 6th Framework Programme Regions of Knowledge Pilot Action It started in 2003 as Pilot Action at the request of European Parliament with budget 2.5 M €. It aimed at build up regional research actors' capacities and know how on research policy and activities. 53 proposal / 14 selected for funding Regions of Knowledge II Second call in 2004 with budget around 11 M€ focused on analysis of regional RTD performance, prospective studies, benchmarking, mentoring etc. 117 proposals / 21 selected for funding.

II. A better consideration for regions in EU R&D Policy 7th Framework Programme A new regional dimension A new regional dimension particularly under FP7 Capacities Programme: Regions of Knowledge Research Potential Structural funds are also foreseen to reinforce R&D investment Particularly in convergence regions Improve conditions for research, innovation and the knowledge economy

"Regions of Knowledge " Two objectives for all European regions : Strengthen their capacity for investing in RTD and carrying out research activities Produce research strategies that contribute to regional economic development through the development of regional ‘research-driven clusters’

What's Research Driven Cluster ? Group (Consortium) consisting of : Research entities (public research centres, universities, non- profit bodies), local enterprises (large firms, SMEs, micro-enterprises), regional/local authorities (local government, regional development agencies, etc.) where appropriate other actors (eg. chambers of commerce, banks) operating in a particular scientific domain of economic sector.

“Regions of Knowledge” will support: Existing multinational research driven clusters or consortia of research driven clusters from across Europe dealing with issues of common interest Creation of new research-driven clusters: the aim is to stimulate regional or local research capabilities around which research driven clusters could be set up.

Expected impact Regional economical growth in selected domains Response to the needs of regional business communities Mobilisation of local, national and community funds to implement defined regional "Action plans"

Main activities in 2007 Three calls for a total of 10 M €: REGIONS (8.8 M €) Analysis, mentoring and integration of research actors REGIONS (0.8 M €) Facilitating the emergence of new clusters and mutual information REGIONS (0.4 M €) Transnational cooperation among NCPs

Thematic priorities in 2007 For the first two calls : Bringing the benefits of Research to SMEs Action aimed at increasing integration of SMEs in regional research- driven clusters and awareness about the potential benefits of research for SMEs in their business activities. Research and rural economies Action aimed at integration of economic actors into regional research- driven clusters as a key challenge to allow the development of dynamic rural and maritime knowledge economies.

REGIONS Supporting analysis, mentoring and integration of research actors Activities Analysis, development and implementation of research agendas Mentoring of regions with a less developed research profile or mutual learning Initiatives to improve integration: definition of joint action plans, together with business plans – following SWOT analysis and definition of RTD needs Dissemination activities Participants Consortia of regional research-driven clusters or a single transnational regional research-driven cluster … and always at least 6 partners from 2 Countries

REGIONS Facilitating the emergence of new clusters and mutual information Activities creation of new research-driven clusters Analysis, workshops, roundtables, expert group meetings, dissemination activities, including web-based initiatives Participants one Research-driven cluster with (at least) 3 participants (one research entity, one public (national/regional/local) authority and one enterprise)

REGIONS Transnational cooperation among NCPs Activities Reinforcing the network of National Contact Points (NCP) by focussing on identifying and sharing good practices (benchmarking, joint workshops, training, and twinning schemes, trans-national brokerage events) Specific approach to be adapted to the nature of the theme, capacities and priorities of the NCPs concerned Special attention to helping less experienced NCPs Proposals to include all officially appointed NCPs Action to involve official FP7 contacts from Associated Countries.

REGIONS Transnational cooperation among NCPs Expected impact: An improved NCP service across Europe, therefore helping simplify access to FP7 calls, lowering the entry barriers for newcomers, and raising the average quality of submitted proposals. A more consistent level of NCP support services across Europe.

Funding scheme overview funding scheme durationCommunity contribution % of total eligible cost REGIONS Analysis, mentoring and integration coordination and support action up to 36 months approx. 1 Mio. € up to 100% REGIONS New clusters coordination and support action up to 24 months Approx € up to 100% REGIONS NCPs coordination and support action max. 5 years indicatively € up to 100%

Funding possibilities Research activities, the infrastructures etc. can be fund by different funding mechanisms, which could be : DG RTD – other parts of the 7th Framework Programme (2007– 2013) (50 B€) DG REGIO – Structural Funds (2007 – 2013) (347 B€) DG ENTR – Competitiveness and Innovation Programme (2007– 2013)(3.2 B€)

Research Potential

"Research Potential " Activity (For CONVERGENCE & OUTERMOST regions) The objective of "Research Potential" activity is : To stimulate the realisation of the full research potential of the enlarged Union by unlocking and developing the research potential in the EU’s convergence and outermost regions To strengthen the capacities of their researchers to successfully participate in research activities at EU level

Definition of "convergence" regions : JO L 243/44 of The regions eligible for funding from the Structural Funds under the Convergence objective shall be regions whose per capita gross domestic product (GDP), measured in purchasing power parities and calculated on the basis of Community figures for the period , is less than 75 % of the average GDP of the EU-25 for the same reference period. Definition of "outermost" regions : Regions defined by art 299§2 of EC Treaty : Canary Islands (ES), Açores & Madera (PT), Guadeloupe, Guyana, Martinique and Reunion (FR)

Main activities in 2007 REGPOT : Unlocking and developing the research potential in the EU´s convergence regions and outermost regions 23.5 M€ REGPOT : Providing evaluation facilities for research organisation in the EU´s convergence regions and outermost regions 1 M€ REGPOT : International cooperation focused on Western Balkan countries 8 M€ (third appropriations) REGPOT : Trans-national co-operation among NCPs 0.5 M€

REGPOT Unlocking and developing the research potential in the EU´s convergence regions and outermost regions This activity will support an Action Plan defined by the highest quality and/or promising research centres in the thematic priorities’ domains of the FP7, which will be based on a coherent set of measures for: Exchange of know-how and experience; Recruitment by the selected centres of incoming experienced researchers; Acquisition, development or upgrading of research equipment; Organisation of workshops and conferences to facilitate knowledge transfer at national and international level; Dissemination and promotional activities.

REGPOT Unlocking and developing the research potential in the EU´s convergence regions and outermost regions Participants : Any public or private research entity in the EU's convergence regions and outermost regions, being defined as an existing working unit (a single proposer), either independent or functioning within a locally established research organisation in the concerned regions, having preferably distinct organisational and administrative boundaries. The Centre should not be a subsidiary or branch of an organisation established in another country.

REGPOT Unlocking and developing the research potential in the EU´s convergence regions and outermost regions Expected impact: Upgrading the RTD capacity (human potential: number of new researchers and training of all research staff, scientific equipment) and the quality of research carried out by the selected research entity; Better integration of the selected research team in the ERA as a whole (partnership, including twinning with research groups elsewhere in Europe); Improvement of the capacity of its participation in FP7 projects.

REGPOT Providing evaluation facilities for research organisations in the EU’s convergence and outermost regions Activities evaluation of research quality and infrastructures by high level independent experts (SWOT analysis) preparation of an Action Plan to upgrade and reinforce its RTD potential by the selected centre Participants public or private research centre in the EU's convergence regions and outermost regions

REGPOT International Cooperation focused on Western Balkan Countries Objectives This Activity will promote closer S&T cooperation opportunities between European Union and in particular its convergence regions, and the Western Balkan Countries (WBC). Participants Proposals should include at least 3 participants: one from a convergence or outermost region in the EU, one from a Member State or an associated country and one from a WBC.

REGPOT International Cooperation focused on WBC This activity will support an Action Plan defined by the concerned research centres, which will be based on a coherent set of twinning measures for: Exchange of know-how and experience; Recruitment by the WBC selected centres of incoming experienced researchers. Acquisition, development, maintenance, upgrading and/or renewal of S&T research equipment (for WBCs); Organisation of workshops and conferences; Dissemination and promotional activities

REGPOT International Cooperation focused on WBC Expected impact: Accelerate the setting up of sustainable partnerships between the most competitive RTD centres of EU’s convergence and outermost regions, Member States and/or associated Countries and Western Balkan Countries whilst boosting regional cooperation contributing to socio-economic needs; Reinforce the research centres established in the EU’s convergence and outermost regions through international co-operation networking integrating exchange of scientific know-how, mobilisation of Human Potential and exploitation of RTD results;

Improving and/or enlarging the RTD capacity of Western Balkan centres of competence in terms of S&T policy and research programmes, scientific and technical human resources and S&T infrastructures; Better and more integrate Western Balkan countries in the FP7 networks and RTD projects as well as in the Member State’s national cooperation programmes as a prerequisite of these countries successful integration into the European Research Area.

REGPOT Transnational cooperation among NCPs Activities Reinforcing the network of National Contact Points (NCP) by focussing on identifying and sharing good practices (benchmarking, joint workshops, training, and twinning schemes, trans-national brokerage events) Specific approach to be adapted to the nature of the theme, capacities and priorities of the NCPs concerned Special attention to helping less experienced NCPs Proposals to include all officially appointed NCPs Action to involve official FP7 contacts from Associated Countries.

Funding scheme overview funding schemedurationCommunit contribution % of total eligible cost REGPOT research potential coordination and support action up to 36 months approx Mio. € up to 100% REGPOT evaluation facilities coordination and support action up to 12 months up to € up to 100% REGPOT WBCs coordination and support action up to. 36 months approx. 1.2 Mio. € up to 100% REGPOT NCPs coordination and support action max. 5 years approx € up to 100%

Selection and negotiation Timetable Calls for proposals published on 22/12/2006 Deadline for submission: 24/4/2007 Evaluation, with help of independent experts – & Selection within 3 months of call closure (24/7/2007) Negotiation of grant agreements Commission decision Signature of grant agreement and entry into force, if possible before end 2007

Information 7th Framework Programme : Calls for proposals : Particular questions can be addressed to : Expert data base :

Thank you for your attention