Background

ERA-NET Cofund actions under Horizon 2020 merge the former ERA-NET and ERA-NET Plus and have the central and compulsory element of implementing one substantial call with top-up funding from the European Union. Research funders and ministries involved in ERA-NETs had to adapt to the modifications and simplifications (e.g. unit cost for additional activities) that where introduced. The workshop will allow participants to contribute to an assessment of the first ERA-NET Cofund actions under Horizon 2020, to take stock of the first experiences in their implementation, identify critical issues that need to be addressed by consortia and Commission Services in their preparation and implementation and discuss possible adjustments.

The outcomes of the workshop will provide input to the ongoing work of ERA-LEARN in developing learning material as well as to an expert group that the Commission Services are planning to launch in order to carry out an in-depth assessment of the first ERA-NET Cofund actions under Horizon 2020.

 

Objectives

• Identify main problems and obstacles encountered in the preparation and submission of the proposals as well as during grant preparation,
• Assess if the contractual procedures and H2020 rules and simplification measures introduced are likely to facilitate the implementation of the actions;
• Identify critical issues during the implementation of the action, in particular for the cofunded call and financial management within the consortium.
• Discuss to what extent the instrument correspond to the needs of the beneficiaries (ministries, research funding organizations, research performing organisations)? Is the instrument better tailored to the needs compared to previous ERA-NET schemes?

 

Agenda

16h00 - 16h30: Key note presentations

• Submitted proposals - strengths and weaknesses from the Commission point of view

• Lessons learnt from the ERA-NET Cofund E-Rare-3

16h30 - 17h45: Moderated discussion in rotating configurations (world café style)

(moderated by ERA-NET coordinators and participants)

• Proposal preparation and submission, grant preparation;
• Preparation and implementation of the co-funded call;
• Consortium management, in particular financial issues.

17h45 - 18h00: Wrap up by world café moderators and Commission