TODAY
– 13 October 2015 the European Commission has launched a new initiative called "Seal
of Excellence". This new scheme will allow regions to recognise the
quality label awarded to promising project proposals submitted under Horizon
2020 and promote their access to different funding sources
like the European
Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) and other national or
regional investment programmes. By introducing this new label, the European
Commission wants to improve the synergies between EU funding for regional
policy and for research.
The
initiative was launched today by Commissioners Corina Creţu, responsible
for Regional Policy and Carlos Moedas, responsible for Research, Science
and Innovation, at the OPEN
DAYS - Week of European Regions and Cities.
Commissioner
Corina
Creţu said: "For
2014-2020, €100 billion worth of investments from the
European Regional Development Fund
will foster research and innovation, including over €32 billion earmarked to support
SMEs,
start-ups and
entrepreneurs, the main drivers of
innovation in Europe. The Seal of Excellence will help identify and
support innovative projects and help them grow and compete
internationally."
Commissioner
Carlos Moedas said: "EU
regions are already a major investor in quality research and innovation in Europe. Through the Seal of
Excellence they can benefit from the world class Horizon 2020 evaluation system to easily identify the best
projects in their regions to support with their funds".
The
"Seal of Excellence" quality label will be awarded to promising
projects submitted under Horizon 2020 which could not secure funding due to
budgetary constraints but received high assessment scores in the demanding and
independent evaluation process. In its pilot phase, the "Seal of
Excellence" will first be given to proposals by small and medium
enterprises (SMEs) submitted under the SME instrument of Horizon
2020. The action could then be extended to cover more areas of Horizon
2020.
How does the 'Seal of Excellence'
work in practice?
The
Horizon 2020 'SME instrument' has been selected for the introduction of the
'Seal of Excellence' because of the relevance to regional and national funders,
as the project proposals are mostly led by a single SME and address small scale
R&I actions close to the market with a clear territorial impact.
The
action concerns, for this initial ‘pilot’ phase, only proposals applying for the
SME instrument and in particular all those SME instrument proposals evaluated
above the quality threshold (13 or more out of 15 in Phase 1, or 12 or more out
of 15 in Phase 2) but not receiving Horizon 2020 funding. Later on it could be
extended to cover more areas of Horizon 2020. A holder of the certificate can
then approach alternative funding sources (regional, national, private or
public) and presents the certificate as a label of a high-quality project
proposal.
What should the SMEs expect?
While
the Commission certifies with the seal the quality of the proposals according
to Horizon 2020 criteria, it may not always be the case that, at local level,
the SME will find funding schemes ready to provide the required support and,
where they have been established, funding will not be automatic simply based on
the recognition of the seal.
Further
information on funding opportunities can be obtained at the local/national
level either directly with the Managing Authorities or through Europe
Enterprise Network and National Contact Point network.
Interested in implementing the
'Seal' approach?
In
order to allow for exchanges of know-how, the European Commission has
established a
'Community
of Practice' exploring the best ways to implement funding schemes
in support of high-quality projects with the 'Seal of Excellence' through ESIF
or other sources. The 'Community of Practice' is reserved for National or
Regional authorities that have a funding power for Research and Innovation
actions. It is also open to other Funding Agencies for Innovating SMEs
(including private banks and investors).
National
or Regional authorities that can provide funding for Research and Innovation,
interested in being part of the Europe-wide 'Community of Practice', can send
an Expression of Interest
by e-mail.
Background
Horizon
2020, the EU's research and innovation funding programme between 2014
– 2020, offers nearly €80 billion in investments for research and innovation
projects to support Europe’s economic
competitiveness.
At least 20%, or nearly €9 billion from the programme's 'leadership in
industrial technologies' and 'societal challenge' pillars, is expected to
benefit SMEs directly in the form of grants, including via the "SME
Instrument".
Since
2013, the new rules governing investments
under the European Structural and Investment Funds call for a more strategic
and synergetic use of different EU funds for a greater impact on growth and jobs.
With a budget of €450 billion for the 2014–2020 period, the European Structural
and Investment Funds invest in key growth-generating areas such as innovation,
support to SMEs, training and education, social inclusion and the low-carbon
economy.
from
Europe's regions and cities are gathering in Brussels for the 13th annual OPEN
DAYS to exchange their views on how to fully exploit the potential of Cohesion
Policy in terms of growth and job creation.
