Enhancing European Research: ERA-NET Coordination and Integration Workshop

1. FP7 ERA-Net RUS Workshop Moscow, Higher School of Economics, 27 January 2010 The ERA.Net instrument Aims and benefits Yves Maisonny European Commission - Research DG International Cooperation

2. 3 concepts European Research Area • the creation of an "internal market" in research(free movement of knowledge, researchers and technology) • the restructuring of the European research fabric(improved coordination of national research activities and policies) • the development of a European research policy(taking into account other EU and national policies)

3. Restructuring a fragmented ERA EU27 + EC

4. Why ERA-NET ? • To reduce fragmentation of research efforts made at national level in Europe • Reasons for coordination: • Achieving critical mass, to ensure better use of resources • Join forces to provide common answers to common problems • Addressing global issues • Developing common approaches (e.g. ethics, standards) • Addressing specific geographical issues • Speaking with “one voice” outside the EU In many cases several reasons apply but for all: • Avoiding overlap and build up of expertise • Exchange of good practices • Access to expertise

5. Co-ordination & Integration of public research in the ERA • Policy level • open method of coordination • mapping, benchmarking, etc. • Legislation (e.g. 3rd country researchers) • Maximum Leverage Programme level • ERA-NET • ERA-NET Plus (EC topping up a joint call) • Article 169 initiatives (full integration) • Medium Leverage Project level • FP7 funding schemes • Lower Leverage

6. To develop and strengthen the coordination of public research programmes carried out at national or at regional level. • “Programmes” should be understood as entire research programmes, or parts of such programmes, or similar initiatives having the following characteristics: • be strategically planned • be carried out at national or regional level • be financed or managed directly by national or regional public bodies, or by structures closely related (e.g. agencies) ERA-NETObjective

7. ERA-NETParticipants • All participants should be either: • programme owners, such as national ministries or regional authorities managing a research programme • programme managers (e.g. research councils, agencies) which implement research programmes under programme owners’ supervision • in justified cases: programme owners without a research programme but planning to set up one • Participants from at least 3 different Member States or Associated States

8. ERA-NET Activities A step by step approach is proposed: ERA-NET may include the followingactivitiesto foster coordination and cooperation between programmes: 1 – Systematic exchange of information & best practice 2 – Definition and preparation of joint activities 3 – Implementation of joint activities 4 – Funding of transnational research

9. FP6: 71 ERA-NETs, more than 40 still running, 450 participating organisations committing about €1.1 billion in 115 joint calls (€773 million) and 15 joint programmes (€376 million) FP7: • WP 2007: 19 ERA-NET, 4 ERA-NET Plus • WP 2008: 12 ERA-NET, 4 ERA-NET Plus • WP 2009: 8 ERA-NET, 1 ERA-NET Plus • WP 2010 (expected): 16 ERA-NET  Majority of FP7 ERA-NETs on new topics with a substantial number of new participants ERA-NET achievements: from FP6 to FP7

10. Lessons learned from INCO ERA-NET • Need for focusing on clear objectives for joint activities; • Mapping relevant fields for joint actions is crucial to avoid overlap and duplication; • Ensuring that the scope of research topics under joint actions is not too broad in order to avoid oversubscription.

11. Impact assessment Logic model OUTPUTS PROCESSES OUTCOMES INPUT • Pilot calls: • 22 pilot calls • €14,752,000 funding • 98 funding contributions Systematic exchange of information and good practices Undertaken by 67% of respondents Impact on national programmes: • New opportunities to enable trans-national R&D activities • Adoption of new eligibility criteria to fund non-resident researchers (opening-up national programmes) Joint calls: • 115 joint calls • €773,810,749 funding • 597 funding contributions Identification &analysis of common strategic issues Undertaken by 75%of respondents • €181.76M overall funding • Average EC input per ERA-NET: €2.56m • EC funding covered 78% of the total costs of participation on average Joint programmes: • 15 joint programmes • €376,102,000 funding • 64 funding contributions Planning and development of joint activities Undertaken by 43% of respondents • Structuring effect: • Structuring effect occurred in specific research fields • Existing networks strengthened and extended • Behavioural additionality occurred Implementation of joint research - generating outputs 73% of respondents participated in a joint call Intangible outputs: • Multiple benefits outweighed the costs • Benefits from calls • Strengthened research networks

12. ERA-NET benefits • Building new networks and work relationships between research public stakeholders and their peers in other countries; • Creating new opportunities for enabling transnational research activities; • Longer-term added value resulting from a better coordination of R&D funding in Europe; • Development of new approaches for some EU Member States towards other countries outside Europe

13. Optimise operational modalities and Impact Assessment • ERA-NET Learning Platform /  Aligning structures and procedures for simplified and efficient joint call activities towards a common organisational framework • ILN International Learning Network / Structuring the information/experience exchange between FP7 INCO projects • NETWATCH Information System  Central information platform for transnational R&D programme cooperation & analytical tools www.ec.europa.eu/netwatch Supporting initiatives

14. Thank you for your attention! Yves Maisonny European Commission - Directorate-General for Research International Cooperation Directorate Email: yves.maisonny@ec.europa.eu Tel.: +32 2 29 85 724