Implementing co-funded action plans for connected regional innovation valleys in widening countries
Programme Category
Programme Name
Programme Description
Horizon Europe is the European Union (EU) funding programme for the period 2021 – 2027, which targets the sectors of research and innovation. The programme’s budget is around € 95.5 billion, of which € 5.4 billion is from NextGenerationEU to stimulate recovery and strengthen the EU’s resilience in the future, and € 4.5 billion is additional aid.
Identifier Code
Call
Summary
The aim of this topic is to foster the creation of efficient, open, inclusive and interconnected European innovation ecosystems in line with the New European Innovation Agenda, notably in thematic/technological areas (including deep tech) that will be critical for EU value chains. It will also contribute to the twin green and digital transition and a resilient society, and to the net-zero objective, particularly in the areas of reducing reliance on the fossil fuels, increasing global food security, mastering the digital transformation (including cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence), improving healthcare, and achieving circularity.
Detailed Call Description
The topic will support strategically oriented long-term programmes of activities (Annual Work Programmes) to enable authorities in charge of public national or regional innovation policies or programmes with the participation of the private sector and research and innovation actors, to implement joint activities towards innovation development and deployment, possibly including innovation procurement, aimed at tackling challenges at EU, national and regional level.
The applicants are encouraged to consider a project duration of three to five (3-5) years and proposals should:
- Present the applicants’ respective commitment to enhance the coordination and directionality of their research and innovation (R&I) investments and policies, their joint strategic visions, and their proposed joint innovation programme of activities; before the proposal submission the participants should have already selected a thematic/technological area and reached an agreement on what they want to achieve, in order to be able to present concrete action plans; the plans can be further detailed on an annual basis during the implementation of the projects;
- Describe the activities necessary, the process that will be followed, and the research and innovation assets that will be mobilised; activities should be open, clear, realistic, impact-oriented;
- Explain the need and the reasons for selecting the proposed Annual Work Programmes that should be scalable at European level and demonstrate their strong EU added value;
- Explain the reasons for selecting the proposed strategic areas of cooperation, and how this cooperation will improve the efficiency and performance of the EU’s innovation ecosystems. The joint innovation activities should focus on a specific thematic/technological area, in line with the smart specialisation strategies of the participating regions, and should highlight how it will contribute to innovation priorities of common interest, EU strategic priorities;
- Present and explain how the consortium plans to design and coordinate the implementation of these joint activities (e.g. resources to be mobilised, assets to be used, involvement of innovation stakeholders, such as innovation hubs, business associations, clusters, industry, startups, scaleups and SMEs);
- Include set of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in line with the proposed objectives to measures/activities underpinned by verifiable indicators (e.g. referring to the Sustainable Development Goals, European Commission Gender Equality Strategy 2020-2025, or other relevant policy frameworks);
- Ensure their long-term commitment towards engaging in the cooperation activities set up in the frame of their projects (a letter of intent as part of the proposal).
Call Total Budget
Financing percentage by EU or other bodies / Level of Subsidy or Loan
50%
The Commission estimates that an EU contribution of around €5.000.000 and €8.000.000 would allow these outcomes to be addressed appropriately.
The funding rate is 50% of the total eligible costs.
The consortium must provide a single letter of intent at the moment of submission of the proposal indicating the source of the required 50% of complementary funding (e.g. national and/or regional funding, EU funding, or private investments).
Thematic Categories
- Enlargement
- Research, Technological Development and Innovation
Eligibility for Participation
- Local Authorities
- Other Beneficiaries
- Researchers/Research Centers/Institutions
- State-owned Enterprises
Eligibility For Participation Notes
The general admissibility and eligibility conditions are described in Annex A, Annex B, and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.
The following exceptions apply: This action requires the participation, as beneficiaries, of at least 3 national or regional authorities, from at least 3 different Member States or Associated Countries, of which at 2 from a widening country and 1 from a non-widening country. The action also requires that among the national or regional authorities participating as beneficiaries, at least 1 is from a ‘moderate’ or ‘emerging’ innovator region and at least 1 is from a ‘strong’ or ‘innovation leader’ region. The co-ordinator of the project must be established in a widening country and the major share of the budget has to be allocated to participants from widening countries.
Call Opening Date
Call Closing Date
National Contact Point(s)
Research and Innovation Foundation
Address: 29a Andrea Michalakopoulou, 1075 Nicosia, P.B. 23422, 1683 Nicosia
Telephone: +357 22205000
Fax: +357 22205001
Email: support@research.org.cy
Website: https://www.research.org.cy/en/
Persons to Contact:
Ms. Marcia Trillidou
Scientific Officer A’
Legal and Financial Issues
Email: trillidou@research.org.cy
Ms. Nedi Kaffa
Scientific Officer
Email: nkaffa@research.org.cy