Transcript Engaging academic researchers and SMEs in research programmes under FP7 and Horizon 2020 UASnet Workshop on Preparing for Horizon 2020 Andrew Brownlee 11th December 2012

Engaging academic researchers and SMEs
in research programmes under FP7 and
Horizon 2020
UASnet Workshop on Preparing for Horizon 2020
Andrew Brownlee
11th December 2012
There are 14 Institutes of Technology in Ireland...
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In late 1990s PhD and other
research study very rare in
the IoTs and sporadic and
unstructured in nature
System transformed by
expanding RDI role and
commitment in IoTs,
increased accreditation
autonomy and new TSR fund
The IoTs were able to take
advantage of their close links
with industry to offer unique
postgraduate and wider
research propositions
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Commitment to and investment in postgraduate education stimulated
a development path which means that the IoT sector today has...
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46 specialist research groups;
521 researchers and support staff (all actively engaged with research);
656 postgraduate research students;
€218mn in research funding generated between 2006 and 2010
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66% is allocated toward research in ICT, Health and Biotechnology.
Sizeable base of annual external research funding secured by Institutes
(currently around €40mn per annum)
After significant growth this falling in recent years due to fiscal constraints
Increased proportion of funding drawn from European Programmes
15 on-site innovation and incubation centres which provide dedicated
space, support, facilities and access to research expertise for up to
300 new and growing companies at any one time
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Over 1,000 innovative new businesses have been supported by the IoTs over
the last few years
The experience in starting and growing businesses ensures real market focus
to all of our RDI activities
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Research capability has been built up in specialist areas with centres of
scale now in place and strong evidence of impact...
Development and Application of Biotechnology Research
Capability in LIT & IT Tralee
Industry
Solutions
Capability
Strand 1
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EI f und Shannon ABC
Development
under Applied Research
Investment
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Supports development of
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Strand 1 supported 14
postgraduates under
PIs Siobhan Moane,
Daniel Walsh, Michelle
McKeon Bennett,
Shane O’Connell &
Michael Hall
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key expertise in bioactive
sector
Recognition of growing
capability via awarding of 3
Innovation Partnerships, 5
Innovation Vouchers, 1mn
HEA f acilities grant, FIRM
grant and 1.4mn of EI
research equipment
grants
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Enhancement programme
Centre develops processes f or
screening of natural byproducts f or bioactive
molecules
7 Innovation Partnerships
completed or in completion
SFI TIDA award
7 research projects directly
f unded by industry
11 invention disclosures
Scale &
Impact
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€11.9mn in f unding
between 2007-11
Includes 6mn EU
f unds
2 Strand Leaders, 5
senior research
f ellows, 3 postdocs,
2 research
assistants, 16
postgrads, 1 centre
manager
33 journal
publications
Coordination of 3
FP7projects
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One of the most notable products of the development of capability
has been the establishment of EI funded ARE Centres...
Enterprise Ireland
funded Applied
Research
Enhancement (ARE)
Centres in IoTs
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The success of initiatives like the ARE Centres demonstrates the
potential to offer industry-focused research solutions...
Industrial Collaborations
Innovation Voucher
Projects
Innovation Partnership
Projects
Projects Directly Funded
by Industry
2008
2009
2010
2011
Total
36
69
117
150
372
20
45
70
52
187
2
7
13
19
41
14
17
34
79
144
Income from Collaborative
Projects
€570,000
€451,000 €1,550,000 €3,200,000 €5,771,000
Industry Contribution to
Collaborative Projects
€226,000
€102,000
Industry Contribution %
39.7%
22.2%
€615,000 €1,500,000 €2,443,000
39.7%
46.7%
42.3%
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The IoT key research capabilities are closely aligned with these
National Priorities and offer scope for further collaboration...
Digital
Platf orms,
Content &
Applicatns
Athlone Institute of
Technology
Future
networks
& comms
Data
Analytics
Managmt
Security &
Privacy
Connected
Health &
Independt
Living
Medical
Devices
Diagnostics
STORC (CASALA)
Processing
Technology
& Novel
Materials
SMRC (ICBC)
Innovation
in Services
& Business
Processes
CREDIT
MFWRC
CiSET
NSCFRG
Institute of Technology
Tallaght
ITSG
RFTC
CASH (CREATE, MICRA)
Institute of Technology
Sligo
MBRR
Limerick Institute of
Technology
Waterf ord Institute of
Technology
Manuf actg
Technology
MRI
GMedTech
Institute of Technology
Blanchardstown
Smart
Goods &
Smart
Cities
CAPPA BIOEXPLORE(MEDIC)
Galway-Mayo Institute
of Technology
Institute of Technology
Tralee
Marine
Renewable
Energy
EnviroCORE DesignCORE
NIMBUS (TEC)
Dundalk Institute of
Technology
Institute of Art, Design &
Technology
Sustainable
Food
Production
&
Processing
GameCORE
Cork Institute of
Technology
Letterkenny Institute of
Technology
Food f or
Health
BRI
SRI (SUNAT)
Institute of Technology
Carlow
Therapeutic
Synthesis,
Formulation
Processing
& Drug
Delivery
GRG
Shannon ABC/CELLS
WiSAR/Epicentre
CCTA
Sustainability/CfDI
REMEMBER
CAMBIO
CCTA
CPC
CIDS
TSSG(FAME/3CS)
Shannon ABC
PMBRC
GOG/CIMMS
MCP/SEAM
RIKON
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The IoTs are now looking to EU and international collaboration to drive
further development in key areas...
Digital
Platf orms,
Content &
Applicatns
Athlone Institute of
Technology
Future
networks
& comms
Data
Analytics
Managmt
Security &
Privacy
Connected
Health &
Independt
Living
STORC (CASALA)
Limerick Institute of
Technology
SMRC (ICBC)
MFWRC
CiSET
ITSG
CAMBIO
CCTA
CPC
CIDS
TSSG(FAME/3CS)
Innovation
in Services
& Business
Processes
CREDIT
WiSAR/Epicentre
CCTA
Processing
Technology
& Novel
Materials
Pharma,
Food,
Medical
Materials
marine
CASH (CREATE, MICRA)
devices
and green
and
Sustainability/CfDI
GRG
and MBRR
technology
biotech
diagnostics Shannon ABC/CELLS REMEMBER
ICTNSCFRG
networks
RFTC
and
systems
Institute of Technology
Sligo
Manuf actg
Technology
MRI
GMedTech
Institute of Technology
Tallaght
Smart
Goods &
Smart
Cities
CAPPA BIOEXPLORE(MEDIC)
NIMBUS (TEC)
Institute of Technology
Blanchardstown
Marine
Renewable
Energy
EnviroCORE DesignCORE
Galway-Mayo Institute
of Technology
Waterf ord Institute of
Technology
Sustainable
Food
Production
&
Processing
BRI
Dundalk Institute of
Technology
Institute of Technology
Tralee
Food f or
Health
GameCORE
Cork Institute of
Technology
Institute of Art, Design &
Technology
Diagnostics
SRI (SUNAT)
Institute of Technology
Carlow
Letterkenny Institute of
Technology
Medical
Devices
Therapeutic
Synthesis,
Formulation
Processing
& Drug
Delivery
Shannon ABC
PMBRC
GOG/CIMMS
MCP/SEAM
RIKON
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There has been a significant (and growing focus) on accessing EU
Framework Programmes...
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Strong focus on Research for the Benefit of SMEs in FP7
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Shorter term project durations (2 years) and reduced consortium partner
requirements typically 5-10.
Typical Budget of €0.5 m to €1.5m, 100% Funded for RTD partners, 75%
Funded for SME partners with 65% pre-financing
Ran very successful mentoring programmes for researchers
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There is strong evidence of success in the support and mentoring
activities delivered (up to 2010)...
New researcher engagements with FP7
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Collaborations with Irish companies
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Submitted proposals
34 - €45ml
Proposals which scored above the threshold
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Proposals that were successful:
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Total value of funded projects: €14.5mn
€14.5ml
Institutes with FP7 coordination experience:
Increased from 2 to 6
FP7 success rate from this initiative
European Member State success rate in FP7
Ireland success rate in FP
26.47%
22.5%
24.04%
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After a gap in 2011, planning began early on a structured programme
to support FP7 project development…
Initial ‘long-list’ of interested researchers/projects established
February
Initial ‘long-list’ of interested researchers/projects established
April
June
Support workshop arranged for all potential applicants
June
Clear overview of project developed (5 pager)
July
Formal call launched & EoIs to be submitted
Aug-Sept
Mentoring Support (supported by EI) to develop application)
Sep-Oct
November
November
Coordination Grant to pull application & partners together
Pre-evaluation support for project applicants
Deadline for submissions
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In 2012 the support and mentoring approach has grown interest
further...
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Direct awareness raising sessions with researchers across all IoTs
Support workshop bringing together 60 IoT researchers, 7 NCPs, 13
potential SME partners, 7 potential international partners and
Commission representatives
28 Expressions of Interest submitted from researchers considering
FP7 for the first time
All of these projects now being developed with support from
Enterprise Ireland
Many other previous participants on the support and mentoring
programme also submitting proposals for the second time
Targeting 20 projects across the IoTs
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13 led by IoTs submitted under Research for the benefit of SMEs call
Another 10 projects led by IoTs expected under KBBE, ICT, NMP
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A key point in the support programme was the workshop which
combined technical support with partnership & project building…
Day 1: (Researchers)
1000-1015
Introduction & Overview of the Workshop
Andrew Brownlee
1015-1115
Ethos of the Programme and Supports Available
Sean Burke
1115–1130
Getting Started on your Proposal
Catherine Halbert
1145-1200
Project Management Template and Internal Timelines
Catherine Halbert
1200-1245
Writing your FP7 Proposal – Part A
Catherine Halbert
1345-1600
Writing your FP7 Proposal: Parts B1, B2 and B3
Catherine Halbert
1600-1615
Delivering a Successful Proposal (ESR, Issues, Q&A)
Joe Walsh
1615-1630
Identifying EU Partners and the Partner Search Engine
Sean Burke
1630-1645
IRIS: An Overview of FP7 Success and Potential Partnerships
Dr Naiara Elejalde, IRIS
1645-1700
UASnet: Opportunities for Partnership
UASnet partner
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The second day brought potential SME partners into discussions with
afternoon devoted to developing ‘one pager’ project summary…
Day 2: Researchers & SMEs
1000-1100
Developing a successful proposal which reflects SME needs
Sean Burke
1100-1130
Successful SME Participation in FP7
SME reps
1145-1245
Activities after successful approval: Negotiation Stage, Contract
Agreements, Project Timelines
Sean Burke
1345-1400
Developing a one-page project overview
Sean Burke
1400-1545
Facilitation of discussion to develop one pager for each potential
project
Various
Facilitators
(Researchers and associated SMEs work together to define one-page
project summary with support and input from expert facilitators)
1600-1630
Completing the Project Management Template
NCP
1630-1700
Summary of Next Steps and Reiteration of Internal/External Deadlines
NCP
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There are good examples of successful IoT FP7 projects from which we
can learn and we use them for mentors and best practice examples…
Institute
Industry
Shannon ABC
Limerick IT
Algae Health
Ltd
Centre for Design
Innovation
IT Sligo
Dublin Institute of
Technology
Vox Power
CDAMC
Project
Bammbo: Bio-sustainable production of bio-active
molecules of marine-based origins
µ-ECM: Development of a next generation MicroECM sinking machine for the automotive, aerospace,
& medical device sectors
Nature’s Best
SAFE BAG: Novel continuous in-pack
decontamination system for fresh fruit and vegetables,
as an alternative to chlorine-based disinfection
Epilight
Cork Institute of
AQUA-PULSE: Low-power, low-maintenance water
Technology
purification solution based on high-brightness UV Light
Emitting Diodes (LEDs) and a photocatalysis method.
Technopath
Institute of
PM CELL: Development of a rapid cellular
Technology, Tralee
characterisation technology for use in the
biopharmaceutical Industry
NINES Engineering Nines
SOLNOWAT: Development of a competitive 0 Global
Engineering
(SME based at
Warming Potential (GWP) dry process to reduce the
Synergy Centre, ITT
dramatic water consumption in the ever-expanding
Dublin)
solar cells manufacturing industry.
Innopharma
Innopharma Ltd OPTI-CLEAN: Effective and reliable optical system for
(SME based at
Merrion
cleaning validation in pharmaceuticals manufacture
Synergy Centre, ITT Pharmaceutical (Opti-Clean)
Dublin)
Value
€4,200,000
€1,200,000
€2,500,000
€1,500,000
€1,494,862
€1,601,429
€1,500,000
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Some keys to success in engaging academic researchers (1)...
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Donkey work – get out and meet the researchers, talk to them about
ideas, address concerns
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Start engaging early – UAS researchers have too many competing
teaching interests and will tend to pull out if deadline seen as too short
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Start of year for autumn deadlines
Majority of work done on project over the summer
HOWEVER be prepared for drop-outs
Readymade partnerships makes the journey a lot easier
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Forwarding information by e-mail doesn’t work
Need to use UASnet partnerships to build relationships
Use academic partners to lever interest from international SMEs
Emphasise the importance of the project idea to funding success
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Highlight Framework Evaluation criteria
Much more level playing field than is the case in national funding calls where
bias towards traditional universities
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Proposals are judged across three core areas and traditional metrics
are not as important as in other funding calls…
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Some keys to success in engaging academic researchers (2)...
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Persuade them of the benefits of leading projects
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Involving SMEs means a good chance of success
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At least 1 in 4 expected to be successful
With support and mentoring chances significantly improved
Platform to access other programmes
Use familiar SMEs if available
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Quickest way to learn and a lot more help available
Helps build lasting partnerships
Clear, defined role which is in line with research capability
Campus companies, spin-outs, spin-ins, start-ups, incubators
Use links to local industry base
Excellent opportunity to build specialist research capability in the
midst of a sparse national funding landscape
Emphasise importance of UASnet research role in EU agenda
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Some keys to success in engaging SMEs...
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Get them into the same room as researchers
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Emphasise benefits of opening new markets
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Use extensive network of contacts
Build on previous roles in skills development, innovation solutions to deepen
engagement with companies
Promote successful experiences of other previous SME participants
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Establishing new contacts in European markets
Use UAS role & stakeholder relationships as driver of interest
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Let them hear ‘warts and all’ discussion of engaging in FP7
Involve them in initial development of projects
Only then can commercial benefits be demonstrated
Use all available contacts and search mechanisms
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Partner search engines, National Contact Points
UASnet network should have potential to help stimulate partnerships with
SMEs as well as institutions
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The Horizon 2020 programmes should be seen as a major opportunity
for UASs to work together to achieve funding success...
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Emphasis on innovation alongside research well suited to approach of
UASs
Focus on SMEs could offer UASs key role as interface with SMEs to
ensure further penetration & impact of EU research agenda
The emphasis on societal challenges can be exploited given the UASs
unique relationship with regional society
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Key opportunity for business, humanities, social science UAS researchers to
engage
We are all facing similar issues, have similar capabilities and access
to similar partners
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Potential for strong, focused partnerships which can deliver real value for
commission
Readymade network to facilitate project development
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Please contact me if you require any further information…
Andrew Brownlee
Director of Research, Development and Innovation
Institutes of Technology Ireland
1st Floor, Fumbally Square
Fumbally Lane
Dublin 8
Tel. 00353 1 708 2953
Mob. 00353 876203405
Email. [email protected]
Twitter. andrewbrownlee7
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