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The EU is today announcing new grants that will help bridge the
research excellence gap between Member States and strengthen
competitiveness and growth across Europe. The new Teaming instrument,
under which these grants are awarded, will help improve research
performance and increase investment in countries with lower research
excellence rankings. With funding from Horizon 2020, 31 projects from
such countries have now been selected to prepare operational plans for
new Centres of Excellence by teaming up with high-calibre institutions
from all over Europe.
European Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation Carlos Moedas said: "Put
simply, we want Horizon 2020 funds to benefit as wide a range of
European universities and research institutes as possible. We are determined to see that no part of Europe is left behind in research and innovation.
Teaming now helps to achieve this by creating partnerships between
those at the top and those with the most potential. Horizon 2020 rewards
excellence and, most importantly, the pursuit of excellence."
The
first Teaming projects selected for funding will be led by research
institutions or agencies as well as national or regional authorities. In
phase 1 of this action, the projects will receive up to €500,000 each
(€14.5 million in total) to prepare operational plans for new Centres of
Excellence or for upgrading existing ones.
Funded projects
include partnerships from all over Europe. For example, a Slovenian
institute is teaming up with the Karolinska Institute in Sweden in an
effort to create a Centre of Excellence in the area of medical
innovation. Another successful proposal involves an effort by a
Bulgarian institute to establish a Centre of Excellence in sustainable
bio-based technologies in partnership with the Max Planck Society in
Germany.
Background...
Teaming is an important
part of the EU's effort to unlock Europe's potential in research and
innovation. Eligible Member states under Teaming include all those that
joined the EU after 2004 plus Portugal and Luxembourg, as well as eight
of the non-EU countries associated to Horizon 2020. Teaming will help
them to start new collaborations, build new scientific networks and
seize new market opportunities.
All projects are selected by
independent experts following standard Horizon 2020 procedures. The
action has two steps. Funding in Phase 1 is provided to develop a
‘business plan’ for the future centre. In phase 2, up to ten of these
projects could then be selected for further support to implement the
centre, following a competitive review process. The funding for the
first step proposals (31 selected out of 169 submitted) reached €14.5
million and around €87 million is currently foreseen for Phase 2.
Synergies between Teaming and the Cohesion policy may also allow
projects in Phase 2 to use structural funding available to support the
implementation of Centres of Excellence and fund infrastructure and
large equipment not funded by Teaming grants.
Under Horizon 2020,
the EU's research funding programme, a strong packet of measures with up
to €800 million in funding will be available for widening participation
of low-research performing Member States. Such actions include Teaming,
Twinning (institutional networking that includes support on staff
exchanges, expert advice and assistance), as well as special awards like
the new ERA Chairs instrument (IP/14/125).
